London thames Gateway - Innovation Destination
If you were asked to describe the meaning of the word "innovation", what would you say? Would you think of a new technological invention or the creation of a new fruit beer?
The answer could be either, because innovation isn't just about computing or technology, it's about any product, service or process which involves new thinking. Innovation is about new ideas - and the Thames Gateway London region is packed with innovative companies. Some companies may not even realise how ground breaking they are, or how much advice and guidance is available, so we've put together a quick guide to what's on offer.
Innovation is booming in the region, with one major new project opening within the past few weeks and plans just unveiled for another.
The Thames Innovation Centre (TIC) is an exciting new centre in Bexley, home to Think Big, the innovation support programme specific to startups and SMEs in the Thames Gateway London region, as well as the Business Solutions Programme. Think Big has just become an integral part of TIC Ltd, so they are on hand for businesses in the region's Objective 2 areas, who want to take an idea forward, be it a simple change to production methods or an altogether new product. The Business Solutions team provides innovation solutions to companies in the Bexley and Greenwich Objective 2 areas, interested in growth and export.
The TIC gives local companies the opportunity to forge links with entrepreneurs, universities and colleges, economic development agencies and R&D organisations. The centre also provides flexible workspace, from hotdesks and offices to workshops, on an ‘easy in, easy out' basis, along with on-site support and business advice. So as well as valuable advice, the TIC offers knowledge or technology led start ups and SMEs the space to grow. The TIC also operates an Enterprise programme which supports all start ups in Bexley, from window cleaners and florists to medical device companies.
Another exciting development for innovation in Thames Gateway London is the news that Queen Mary's, a college of the University of London, has received permission to go ahead with a £28m Biosciences Innovation Centre in Whitechapel, due for completion in 2008. The addition of the new centre strengthens the growing local cluster of similar agencies, further increasing the region's offer for bioscience companies. The initiative has been jointly developed with the London Development Agency (LDA), along with the support of Thames Gateway funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Along with these two important local developments, there are a number of places to go for advice and practical help to bring your ideas to life and protect them. We've taken a look at a couple of schemes below, but this is just a selection of the opportunities and help available to Thames Gateway businesses. Keep an eye on the GtL website, where we will soon be launching a new ‘innovation' section.
Connect Plus is an LDA funded scheme which offers a direct tap into the area's broad knowledge base, linking top universities such as UEL, Greenwich and Goldsmiths, with companies who need an academic answer to solve a particular problem. So far, the scheme has proven highly successful, as it benefits both parties; securing businesses some of the top minds in the country, and involving academics in some top-flight research, thereby often securing extra funding for their departments.
Secondment into Knowledge is a similar scheme to Connect Plus, but this time, the business employee is actually seconded in to the college or university. The benefits are obvious; the academic learns more about the business environment, and the employee gains research experience. In addition, the LDA could provide a grant of up to £8,000 for the host university and up to £6,000 to the company.
The British Library has a significant role to play in providing advice and access to the complex world of intellectual property. True, you may be thinking the Library is not based in the Thames Gateway, and you'd be right. But did you know that they run a Business and Intellectual Property Centre, designed specifically to help companies navigate their way through patents, designs, trademarks and copyright information? As the British Library says, "SMEs are often the driving force behind new ideas and products. Their innovative and creative capacity, however, is not always fully exploited...as many are not aware of the intellectual property system or the protection it can provide". On hand at the British Library is expert advice to ensure that even if you're a start-up Small or Medium Sized Enterprise (SME), you can still access the information you need to protect your idea. There is a staggering array of support available to companies, including access to £500,000 worth of subscription databases, journals, customised searches and guides to legal information, as well as the national patent collection, free workshops, pro bono legal advice and one to one ‘Ask an Expert' sessions with role models like Anita Roddick. Put simply, every business based in the Thames Gateway London region should make a visit to the British Library.
Quick links:
British Library - www.bl.uk/bipc
Thames Innovation Centre (TIC) - www.thamesinnovationcentre.com/
Think Big - www.thinkbig-itg.org
