£5.6m enterprise centre coming to Teesside University will 'boost local SMEs'

Teesside University’s Middlesbrough campus is to become a £5.6m enterprise zone.

The Innovate Tees Valley University Enterprise Zone (UEZ) will build on the university’s record in helping tech startups, with the development of two enterprise hubs on its Middlesbrough campus.

Underpinned by academic strengths in digital technologies (including AI, augmented reality and intelligent gaming) and a focus on interdisciplinary working, the UEZ will be the driver for increased tech startups and productivity growth through digitalisation in priority sectors for the Tees Valley.

With all academic schools involved, it will expand opportunities for university-business collaborations leading to new digital products and processes, new business creation, and recruitment and retention of graduates in the Tees Valley.

The UEZ will be part-funded by a £1.485m capital grant from the Research England Development Fund, matched by the university, and levering in at least a further £2.6m over the next three years.

Key partners and supporters include the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Middlesbrough Council and Tees Valley local authorities, Double Eleven, Visualsoft, Cubic, Amazing Interactives, R8 Games, the North East England Chamber of Commerce and MAKE UK.

Vice-chancellor and chief executive of Teesside University, Professor Paul Croney, said: “This is a hugely positive development for the area.

“The UEZ will place Teesside University and its focus on enterprise, innovation and growth firmly at the heart of the Tees Valley economy. It reflects our key mission as an anchor institution driving economic growth in the region.

“Teesside University has an excellent reputation for creating and sustaining digital startups and, by working alongside our established academic expertise in business and digital technologies, we look forward to delivering a new pipeline of sustainable, high-growth businesses into the Tees Valley business sector.”

Work for the UEZ will include repurposing the existing Launchpad startup centre and Phoenix Building to provide exciting and transformative incubation, collaboration and acceleration space on campus.

This will include additional startup and grow-on units, games studios, co-working and maker spaces and events facilities.

Science minister, Chris Skidmore, added: “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and Teesside has a thriving ecosystem of local businesses and entrepreneurs whose creativity and determination help underpin the UK’s position as a leading innovator.

“Alongside this, many of Teesside’s research community are right on the precipice of turning ground-breaking ideas into real products and services which could change the lives not just of people in the local community, but people around the world.

“Today’s funding will not only help local scientists take their ideas from lab to market - but will also support an enterprise hub at Teesside University.

“Providing space for local businesses to forge crucial partnerships, the UEZs will create jobs, drive local growth and provide SMEs with a vital stepping stone to succeed.”