UMIC plans Incubator Centre for growing the Manchester Low Carbon agenda
UMIC is planning to create an incubator focused on the growing low carbon and environmental sector. This will drive forward the Manchester Low Carbon Incubator Centre (LCIC) idea into a programme of action and activities.
‘UMIC has been ‘evidence gathering’ and we now feel that the time is right to begin to establish a facility to create a sustainable and growing cluster of low carbon companies and not for profit enterprises. We have been greatly assisted by University colleagues, Corridor Manchester and the New Economy Manchester team’ said Tony Walker – UMIC Incubation Manager. ‘The first step is the setting up of an Advisory Team to help shape the agenda. This will seek to canvass views and support from across the business, civic and academic communities’.
Other activities will include launching a Low Carbon Environmental Goods and Services competition in January 2011. This will aim to increase the incidence of related disclosures both in low carbon technologies, but increasingly in low carbon service based solutions that may not necessarily be seeking formal commercial exploitation routes. As well as ways to build links between universities and SMEs and civil enterprises through creating a demand led approach to supporting low carbon innovation.
This will be a precursor to the establishment of a physical incubator presence in the next 12-18 months. UMIC has a growing portfolio of incubating companies emanating from the University of Manchester and the Manchester area;- such as Nanoeprint, Nanoco (Identified as Manchester’s Fastest Growing Company), Arvia Technology (voted a Clean Tech 100 company), I-pix digital lighting, Plasmaclean, Sunfish Energy, Mobilizer. Many of these are the desired profile of low carbon technology, high growth companies.
UMIC is also a member of the national Carbon Trust Entrepreneurs Fast Track. The Entrepreneurs Fast Track will provide the UK’s top low carbon ventures with a customised package of support.
‘We consider it is favourable to invest in the existing tangible incubation activity to increase future business growth in the low carbon area. This will ensure that the project becomes a renewable source of activity so that Manchester will continue to receive the benefit from an enlarging business and civil community generating income and significantly reducing CO2 in future years’ said Tony Walker.
For more details contact Tony Walker on tony.walker@umic.co.uk
