DOCK businesses targeted for university-business collaborations

As part of a drive to encourage collaborations between local innovation businesses and the University, the Enterprise and Business Development Office (EBDO) held a successful event at DOCK recently (29 June). DOCK is Leicester’s new hub for high-tech, low-carbon, technology businesses and the University is one of its partners.

Around 18 companies attended as well as members of the EBD team, career development services and academics Karl Ryder, Professor of Physical Chemistry, and Dr Alex Goddard.

Business development manager (science and engineering) William Wells said: “We know that there is a desire within the city and the county for higher levels of university-business collaborations in order to achieve regional growth. However, only 15% of businesses have worked with a university over the past three years.

“The aim of this event was to help the companies based at DOCK to understand the benefits of working with the University of Leicester, funding opportunities and how to engage with us – whether through collaborative R&D, contract research, consultancy, CPD, licensing and IP or making use of our graduate talent and analytical services.

“For us it was a chance to understand the DOCK businesses better and identify potential opportunities to work together and create benefits and impact from our research. Ultimately we want to forge new partnerships and support the development of the regional innovation economy.”

Opened in Autumn 2013, DOCK is a new workspace and business development centre for knowledge economy businesses. DOCK offers a range of workspaces including office, lab and workshop space for up to 55 businesses. An on-site business development team is on hand to support companies based there.