5 signs you should consider the North east for Business Opportunities in Nanotechnology

Jan 18
11:44

2008

Jenny Simpson

Jenny Simpson

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North East England has the largest and possibly the best equipped public sector facilities in the UK.

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Companies are often looking for opportunities to develop their business further. In the nanotechnology area it is important that you have the right human resources and the strategic backing of the people within the region you are moving into.

NetPark at Sedgefield,5 signs you should consider the North east for Business Opportunities in Nanotechnology Articles County Durham, is the key strategic site in the region for developments in the physical sciences. It is a location for companies and organisations involved in research, prototyping and manufacturing.

Major companies encouraging nanotechnology in North East England include Procter & Gamble, British Aerospace and ICI.

Here are the top 5 reasons you should consider investing in North East England for nanotechnology expertise. 

1. Cenamps is an international Centre of Excellence for Nanotechnology, Micro and Photonic Systems. Seeds collaborative R&D programmes as platforms for near market commercialisation opportunities through university spin-outs and by strengthening the knowledge base to support larger industry-linked projects in the region. Activities include the Plastic Electronics Technology Centre (PETeC), Epitaxy for nanoelectronics, Novel electronics systems integration, University Innovation Centre for Nanotechnology and Bionano projects.

2. The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) a UK-wide resource to stimulate and drive innovation within the process industry. Working with global industry partners and leading research universities CPI delivers worldclass applied R&D. Core technology platforms are advanced manufacturing, functional materials and fuel cells.

3. NetPark is the key strategic site for exploitation of developments in the physical sciences, particularly as a potential high-tech R&D/prototyping/manufacturing location. It is strategically placed to exploit the potential of Durham University, CENAMPS, CPI and the Wilton Centre - one of the largest complexes for chemical production and development in Europe making it ideal for nanotechnology investment opportunities.  

4. As mentioned above major corporate companies encouraging nanotechnology in the region include Procter & Gamble, British Aerospace, ICI and Atmel. The region is home to many spin-out companies from research and technology developed at the universities.

5. There are many sources of private and public finance available to companies in the region. A range of venture capital products are on offer to companies at different stages of the investment process from early stage to new technology and high growth. Companies may be able to access government schemes including location based funding as well as grants and tax credits for undertaking research and development. Financial assistance is also available to support companies submitting bids to access European Framework Programme funds.

Expertise and support organisations place North East England in a unique position to support companies in the commercialisation of research and getting new products to market through nanotechnology research and development.