The major economic impact of a Midlands science park’s business support team has been officially recognised after being presented with a prestigious award.
The University of Warwick Science Park’s business support team, which assists innovative start-ups with advice, networking opportunities, and investment potential, has earned a ‘Warwick Wow’ award after major successes in the past year.
Among these successes were the Science Park being recognised as one of the top five per cent of start-up hubs in Europe by the FT, and its business support team delivering above its planned annual targets on business incubation and education in just six months.
The team comprises the Business Ready programme which is supported by Warwickshire County Council, the ‘Ignite’ incubator programme and alumni network funded by the Science Park, and the Minerva Business Angels Network.
Dirk Schaefer and Ian McFarlane Toms, senior figures in the Science Park’s business support team were surprised with a visit by The University of Warwick Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Stuart Croft, who presented them and fellow team members with the Warwick Wow award in person.
The awards recognise amazing work, projects, and achievements from teams at the University of Warwick.
Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Warwick said: “Ian, Dirk and the rest of the team have been helping to establish and grow companies for years - creating jobs and developing our region. This is so important for us as a University and for our local businesses, and we're so grateful for the work they do."
Dirk, SME Engagement Lead at UWSP, runs the Ignite programme for young businesses and its associated Alumni Network. He successfully re-engaged more than 100 businesses since June last year to join the network after previously being part of the Ignite programme.
He said: “The Ignite Alumni Network has been gone from strength to strength, and it’s fantastic to see how much it has grown in such a short time.
“The network has already led to tangible opportunities for many of its members, and we’re continuing to grow alongside bringing in new businesses to the Science Park through the incubation programme.
“Winning a Warwick Wow award as part of the wider work the business support team delivers every day is just the icing on the cake. It was a lovely surprise.”
And Ian, who leads the Business Ready programme which delivers support to high-growth and innovation-led companies on behalf of Warwickshire County Council, was able to renew the programme for another year after the businesses supported created dozens of jobs in the region.
“Business Ready has been assisting cutting-edge businesses for more than eight years, and to have the programme renewed once again is testament to the superb advice and support our experts impart to participants, which has resulted in job creation and investment to many of those firms,” he said.
“I was not expecting to receive any sort of award for this success, so I was really happy that Stuart came in to present it to the team.”
The Science Park’s Minerva Business Angels team, which encourages individuals to become angel investors and helps young and ambitious businesses with great ideas earn investment, was also recognised for its high level of activity.
Mark Tock, COO of the University of Warwick Science Park, said: “Our business support team has and continues to deliver results with clear economic and reputational impact to not only the Science Park, but the wider University Group.
“I’m delighted for Dirk, Ian, and the wider team – they truly deserve to be recognised in this way.”