Science City launches new initiative to back business

The organisation, which used to receive public funding from Yorkshire Forward, plans to charge for its advice and expertise, which it hopes will help companies expand.

It will be targeting businesses in the bioscience, IT, digital and creative technology sectors.

Nicola Spence, chief executive, told the Yorkshire Post: “This is our response to the changing landscape for business support and the critical need for business to be able to access good advice and good support.”

The organisation’s wholly owned trading company will be based at York University’s Ron Cooke Hub and will be open for business from Monday.

Ms Spence said the company would be able to serve businesses across the wider region, while Science City York would continue to work with public bodies such as universities and local authorities.

It is running European-funded projects to develop infrastructure for York University and the Food and Environment Research Agency and to provide mentoring to businesses.

The trading company will offer business consulting services and a programme of bespoke business workshops designed to help companies become more innova- tive.

It will also offer membership benefits, with fees ranging from £120 to £1,000 a year according to company size.

Ms Spence said Science City York has created 3,000 jobs and helped 100 businesses in the 13 years of its existence.

Richard Gregory, the chairman, said: “Behind the new company is a proven track record of success in business promotion, mentoring and sector specialism.

“This specialist expertise has alrea dy helped many companies overcome critical barriers to growth and provides a great platform for the new enhanced offer.”

Science City York’s first major event since launching its new company takes place on October 18 and features a panel of international business figures who organisers say “will share their collective experience of success in spearheading global brands, finance and business innovation”.

They are Christian Majgaard, a former global executive at Lego, Lucy Marcus, founder of Marcus Venture Consulting, and Rachel Armstrong, co-director of Advanced Virtual And Technological Architectural Research.

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