Business Support and Development





A European centre for life science business


With over thirty science and technology-based businesses already on site, the Norwich Research Park is set to become a UK and European centre for research, development and the commercialisation of science in health, food and environment and related sectors such as chemistry and computing. 

This unique combination of world-class science offers the prospect of significant benefits for companies interested in collaborative research, the commercialisation of new technologies and building strategic capabilities within an entrepreneurial environment.


A growing community

New companies continue to join the dynamic cluster of the NRP.  As well as young and innovative businesses, many large companies from a range of sectors are collaborating in ground breaking programmes of research across the Park.

Access to sector expertise is also a key strength. With over 9,000 people, the Norwich Research Park has one of Europe’s largest single-site concentrations of Food, Health and Environmental Science research.  During term-time UEA students swell the NRP community to over 24,000.

The NRP offers:


  • • Through the NRP office, a central source of information, advice and assistance for young companies, business support and contact brokering for established businesses

    • Established centre of excellence with a growing community of young technology businesses
     
    • Range of accommodation, including office and fully serviced laboratory space in the Norwich Bio-Incubator, and the new Norwich Research Park Innovation Centre, plus scope for major new build-to-suit on land with outline planning permission

    • Full complement of scientific and technology transfer services, accounting and legal advice for occupiers: Norwich Bio-Incubator, Plant Bioscience Ltd, ip21, Professionals in Innovation, UEA Research Enterprise and Engagement Office, Health Enterprise East

    • Recruit high quality science graduates and post-graduates locally

    • Fully serviced conference and meeting facilities

    • Integrated, NRP-wide, expertise and consultancy database with over 600 researchers registered across a range of disciplines.

    • Close links with research and business centres such as Cambridge and London


    • Facilitated access to the UK venture capital community and sources of public funding and support including the ICENI Seedcorn Fund, the Regional Development Agency (EEDA), Business Link, the Research Councils, East of England International, the Department of Trade & Industry and the EU.

    • Close links with the London Technology Network which works with over 25 Universities and Research Institutes in London and the greater South and East of England to promote the transfer of technology based innovation.

    • Good access to the science centres of Cambridge (1 hour) and London (2 hours) and to international destinations through Norwich International Airport via Amsterdam (KLM) or Manchester (Flybe) as well as direct flights to a number of European cities. London tansted airport is just 1 hr 20 min by car.

    • Mature, well-managed parkland setting of over 160 ha set in the haven of Norfolk 

    • Workers in Norfolk have the shortest average journey to work in southern England and companies enjoy the lowest rates of staff turnover

    • Choice of sports and leisure facilities on the Park and easy access to the historic city of Norwich, the beauty of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads National Park.

     

    Accommodation for Business on the NRP

    Accommodation is available across the site for organisations or companies wishing to benefit from close proximity to the academic excellence and facilities on the NRP.

    High quality laboratory and office space is on offer, both for start-up and relocating companies. The purpose-built Norwich Bio-Incubator is based on the John Innes Centre site and provides 20,000 square feet of plug and play bioscience facilities, along with business development support from expert advisors. The Bio-Incubator is divided into 12 separate laboratories (ranging from 550-1000 square feet), each with an office suite. Additional support services are available, including biological, chemical and radiological waste management, high bandwidth internet access and IT support.

    The NRP Innovation Centre opened in August 2010 and provides over 30 laboratory and office suites.  The building is fitted out to the highest standards for R&D and science service businesses. 

    Smaller units of accommodation are available across the site for smaller organisations; in addition there is agreed planning permission for further bespoke buildings for businesses to be built on the site.

    Facilities for tenants on the research park include:

    • Business development, technology licensing and intellectual property advice
    • Competitive purchasing options for scientific equipment, service contracts and consumables
    • Waste disposal (biological, chemical and radioactive)
    • Containment glasshouses and controlled environment plant growth facilities
    • Automated DNA and protein sequencing service
    • Computing and IT support
    • Human Nutrition Unit for food-based trials using human volunteers
    • Clinical trial facilities for drug and technology development
    • Managed field plots for crop trials
    • Conference facilities with full catering, accommodating up to 320 delegates
    • Containment insectary, licensed to handle exotic insect species
    • Photography departments and graphic design teams
    • Media support and scientific communication advice
    • Extensive scientific libraries with journals and books
    • Engineering and electrical workshops with trained staff


    More Information on Business Development and Interaction

    PBL-Ventures is the business start-up and mentoring arm of PBL, creating opportunities to exploit PBL's technology portfolio and providing support to scientists wishing to establish their own business. PBL-V can work with a scientist through the complete business incubation process, from helping to formulate the initial business concept to IP protection, investor search and selection, and helping compile an experienced management team.

    IFR Innovation helps exploit IFR's fundamental research and technical expertise for the benefit of industry. Technology transfer opportunities, contract research agreements and spin-out company formation based on IFR research are managed through IFR Innovation.

    The Food and Health Network is coordinated from the Enterprise Unit and provides a forum for the food industry to work with IFR researchers to identify issues of importance to the industry and find ways of addressing these issues. As well as the general forum, there are specific "cluster" groups, focussing on topics such as predictive microbiology, nutrition and waste upgrade.

    UEA's Research Enterprise and Engagement Office aims to develop commercial enterprises and knowledge intensive businesses based round UEA skills and technologies. As well as harnessing opportunities from UEA, the office is engaging with local, national and international industry to promote UEA reputation through its business prospects.

    Professionals in Innovation is a collaboration between three leading organisations from the Norwich commercial sector; HSBC (bankers), Mills and Reeve (solicitors) and Lovewell Blake (chartered accountants) who provide expert assistance to science and technology business wishing to establish themselves in the park.  The consortium holds free surgeries on the NRP for initial advice which can be booked on-line through their website. 

    The Iceni Fund was established in 2002 and is a seed-corn investment fund of £4 million, available to a consortium made up of the University of East Anglia, the John Innes Centre, the Institute of Food Research, the Sainsbury Laboratory, PBL and the University of Essex. The fund, awarded by the DTI under its University Challenge Fund Competition, provides investment in spin-out companies resulting from research carried out by the consortium members.

    We also facilitate links to other sources of funding through EEDA, DTI and EU.

    Link to the world-class business context of Norfolk

    back to top


    Your central contact

    Facilitated access to scientists and companies on the NRP is available through the NRP office. Representing the combined research and commercial capabilities of all occupants of the Norwich Research Park, the NRP office supports collaboration, business start-up and development, inward investment and re-location to the Park.


    Our partners

    The NRP office represents a collaboration between the following organisations:
     
    • University of East Anglia
    • Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
    • John Innes Centre
    • Institute of Food Research
    • Sainsbury Laboratory
    • Plant Bioscience Ltd
    • East of England Development Agency
    • Norfolk County Council
    • South Norfolk District Council
    • Business Link

    The NRP is a member of the UK Science Park Association      


    For any information about the NRP, it’s companies, research, facilities or expertise, contact a member of our senior team;


    Dr Matthew Hills                        email: matthew.hills@nrp.org.uk    
    Head of Operations                     tel: +44 (0)1603 450925 

    Dr Jane Knott                            email: jane.knott@nrp.org.uk   
    Projects and Comms Manager    tel: +44 (0)1603 450969


    back to top





Last Updated: 05/08/2010 12:05