First businesses 'graduate' from Springboard start-up business space
Five businesses are celebrating their "graduation" into the University of York's Catalyst business centre after a year in the Springboard business start-up space in the Ron Cooke Hub.
Springboard is the University’s vibrant incubator space designed to meet the needs of early stage businesses and entrepreneurs. The space, which is managed by York Science Park Ltd, provides a nurturing environment that stimulates creativity, and supports entrepreneurs through all-inclusive offices and business advice opportunities; transforming their ideas into lucrative, sustainable businesses. The office accommodation is high-quality and low cost and strategically located on the University’s Heslington East campus expansion, close to the Departments of Computer Science; Theatre, Film and Television, and the Law and Management Schools.
The five businesses that have moved from Springboard to The Catalyst are:
- Yatterbox - a political social media monitoring service
- Ian Walker & Co - chartered accountants
- The Law Wizard - online legal tools to assist with legal tasks, such as probate
- Inclusive Innovations Ltd - an innovation and design-led company with particular interests in health and assistive technology applications
- Insighlytics - software development to extract business insights from social media.
To mark the occasion the University’s former Vice-Chancellor Sir Ron Cooke presented ‘graduation’ certificates to the businesses.
One of the key reasons behind the success of Springboard is the lively environment, where entrepreneurs are happy to engage and learn from one another. The tenants have benefitted from this pool of knowledge, augmented by the University’s Research Innovation team and Science City York (SCY). Being located in the Ron Cooke Hub - a unique and stunning meeting venue and networking centre - has also helped their businesses to thrive.
Ian Walker, of Ian Walker & Co said:
“Our initial decision to choose Springboard over other options was governed by the exceptional facilities within the Ron Cooke Hub and the commercial opportunities that were likely to arise from being on the University of York campus.
“Fully serviced and furnished offices, coupled with the exceptional broadband capacity meant that the cost of occupancy was incredibly competitive when compared with alternate offices across the city.
“The decision to take residence on Heslington East has provided the practice with a unique identity as we are forever associated with the business network and all that has to offer for clients and associated businesses alike.“
The University of York’s strong commitment to student enterprise is shown through its Student Enterprise Centre, based in Springboard, which hosts a number of student-run companies. The Student Enterprise Centre is run by the University’s Careers Service and offers students who are interested in running their own business training, advice, office space and funding to develop their ideas.
The University’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Business and Community, Professor Colin Mellors says, "It is tremendous to see the first 'graduates' from the Springboard moving on to the next stage of their business journey. Embedding business space in the heart of the University - and supporting business growth through encouraging enterprise, innovation and knowledge exchange - have been key elements in the University's vision for Heslington East from the outset.
“We congratulate the graduating businesses on their progress so far, and look forward to seeing them continue to flourish in their new surroundings."
Further information
- The development of Springboard has been supported by investment from the European Regional Development Fund, part of a major infrastructure project led by SCY, to extend the assets and strategic potential of York as a leading centre for business and innovation.
Start-up companies interested in space in Springboard should contact enquiries@yorksciencepark.co.uk or Kim Hodgson on 01904 435100- Springboard
- The Ron Cooke Hub
- Student Enterprise
- SCY