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A business incubator is very similar to an
egg incubator - it's a place in which the conditions are carefully
designed to encourage growth and survival of young companies. But what
conditions make a successful business incubator?
Since Southampton Science Park opened its
first incubator in 2000, we've learned a lot about the process and have
progressively evolved our own system. Southampton Science Park is home to science-based
companies. Brilliant technologists usually establish such companies, but
they may lack business experience. So the support systems at Southampton Science Park
are
tailored to helping them thrive.
We believe that it is important for these
companies to be in an environment where they can learn from other
organisations that have successfully dealt with development issues and
where they can access the best commercial advice available. All businesses
located on the science park benefit from the Chilworth Business Club and
the Southampton Enterprise Hub.
In-house Support at Science Park
Small companies need to have access to
support services, so that they are not distracted from their main business
activities. At Southampton Science Park, companies have the support of our facilities
manager, Madeline Wilkinson, who ensures that meeting rooms, audio-visual
equipment, catering, reception, telephone answering and other services are
available as and when required.
No Ties at Science Park
The future is usually uncertain for young
companies and we believe it is unreasonable to ask such companies to lease
space for longer than 3 months. For this reason we offer them the facility
of terminating their lease, without penalty, at 3 months' notice. We also
seek to keep down the legal costs of tenancy by offering standard lease
conditions.
Making an Impression
Young companies want to impress their
customers, just as established companies do. Part of that impression is
formed by the quality of their accommodation and its location. Southampton Science Park
gives status to young companies through modern business
accommodation, a beautiful parkland setting and co-location with established
tenant companies, like Merck and Siemens, who are household names.
Southampton Science Park: Our Future
We believe that through helping young
companies to succeed in this way we are contributing to the development of
our local economy by nurturing well-paid jobs in new industries. And by
attracting long term tenants to Southampton Science Park, we are ensuring that
our knowledge-based industries continue to thrive.
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