Pictured above: (l-r) Jennifer Schofield, DataDiscretion;
Simon Ford, E-Supply Shops; Simon Jenner, BSPA; Dr David Hardman,
BSPA
Birmingham Science Park Aston (BSPA) has launched the third
phase of its Entrepreneurs for the Future (e4f) programme, boosting
the number of start-up businesses that it can accommodate to 50 per
year.
A unique incubation programme, e4f supports technology start-up
companies in achieving growth and commercial success by providing
funding support, expert advice and mentoring for up to six months.
Companies taking part in the programme also benefit from office or
desk space for up to six months, alongside access to telephone and
internet services.
Simon Jenner, BSPA's head of incubation, said: "Since we
launched e4f in 2009, we have seen a phenomenal number of
businesses take part in the programme, with many going on to become
revenue generating companies. By extending the amount of office
space dedicated to the grant-funded programme, we will be able to
house four more start-up businesses at any given time.
"As a result of this much-needed expansion we will be able to
provide business development opportunities to an even greater
number of fledgling start-ups. Ultimately companies that are
attracted to BSPA through e4f and establish themselves in or around
Birmingham will help in the future economic development of the
region and create new jobs, as well as encouraging more companies
to the West Midlands to do business."
The launch of the third phase of e4f has given members of the
programme the opportunity to meet a hand-selected group of mentors,
who are able to lend their expertise to the programme's new wave of
start-up businesses.
Jennifer Schofield, whose company DataDiscretion is currently
developing its first product as part of e4f, said: "By introducing
prospective mentors, the e4f programme provides a truly outstanding
opportunity for small businesses like ours to speak with relevant
figures from within our own industries, as well as the wider
business world.
"The e4f programme provides us with a real wealth of materials
and experience and for a start-up company like ours to be able to
have access to mentors of this calibre wouldn't be possible without
the Science Park's support."
Based at BSPA, the e4f Centre is part funded by the European
Regional Development Fund. Since launching in November 2009, the
e4f programme has seen 35 per cent of start-up businesses go on to
become revenue generating companies in their own right after
completing their time on the programme.
Simon Jenner said: "While we have already seen a really positive
number of businesses go on to flourish through the support of e4f,
it is vitally important that we continue to attract as many new
business mentors to the programme as possible. Enabling our
start-up entrepreneurs to interact with as diverse an array of
professionals as possible provides them with a real wealth of
knowledge and I would strongly urge any business that feels they
could lend their expertise to get in touch to discuss the
possibilities."