Background & Context
Type of Project
Formation Zone (Arts) is based in iconic buildings like the £36 million Roland Levinsky Building; Formation2.0 (STEM) is based in the LINK Building.
Start/End Date
Formation Zone is part of the new-build Roland Levinsky Building completed in 2007. Formation 2.0 is part of the refurbished LINK Building completed in 2009.
Case Study tags: learning spaces, plymouth university, south-west england, refurbishment, new build, higher education
The Formation Zone and Formation 2.0 are aspects of the way in which Plymouth University leads the knowledge economy for the city of Plymouth and its region. The University prides itself on having a core belief in widening participation and nurturing talent as part of its mission to be 'the Enterprise University'. Enterprise Solutions provides a total package of knowledge exchange and support to business and organisations, the local community, students and graduates.
Formation Zone and Formation 2.0 are pre-incubator spaces for those in the early stages of developing business ideas.
The University is also a partner in the Tamar Business Park which provides a wide variety of spaces including start-up, incubator, rent-a-desk, grow-on space and university spin-out facilities.
What is it?
They are spaces to support entrepreneurship and business start-ups. Support for the creative industries is provided by Formation Zone and for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through Formation 2.0. Both the centres are housed within University buildings sited in the centre of Plymouth. This means that clients have easy access to university facilities, excellent transport links, and a Plymouth centre business postal address. Working within the specialist environments increases the profiles of the young businesses.
What happens in the space?
A range of solutions to help support and encourage entrepreneurs and to assist those who want to develop a business idea.
Anyone can apply; currently approximately 30% are fairly new graduates and these do not have to be Plymouth graduates.
Pre-incubation provides the space and support to an entrepreneur to develop an idea into a viable business. Each space provides for about 21 start-up businesses giving access to a desk with PC or Mac, internet phone and a wireless broadband connection. A few clients attend meetings and access other support virtually. 2 meeting rooms and informal seating areas are available as part of the package. Both hot-desking and grow-on space is available.
There is a three-year limit for businesses to be housed in the zone, but in practice most businesses stay in there for six to 18 months before moving to other premises. Due to this turnround there are fresh people coming regularly into the space which sparks new collaborations between clients.
Practical support is offered through the Entrepreneurship Programme which includes workshops (eg topics are finance, market research, and ideas development), the opportunity to explore business idea in practice in a safe environment with support from dedicated private sector mentors, together with support and advice from centre staff. This support enables clients to write their own business plan, carry out some market research and then put the wheels in motion to set up their company.
An annual competition - Business Ideas Challenge (BIC), has been designed to help turn business ideas into a reality, and to provide exposure to professional advice and potential investors. Successful entrants can receive substantial cash prizes, access to Enterprise Workshops and access to professional services and mentoring from competition sponsors.
The mentor scheme is not formal but on a bespoke basis. This is funded by iNet, a new programme of support from the European Regional Development Fund, designed to strengthen and boost the South West of England's creative sector. It aims to deliver £3.2 million until 2013 to help the creative industries thrive, and advance the South West's growing reputation as a global creative hotspot. Working with new and established innovative firms, the iNet supports projects that are working to catalyse innovation, transfer knowledge and connect and export.
One Stop Ideas Shops monthly events hosted in the University's LINK space provide specialist information and guidance on protecting a business idea or product. It is based on the format of Dragon's Den but without financial support available, so people can turn up with an idea and receive expert feedback on whether or not it is worth pursuing and discussing the next steps.
Some of the clients are able to offer placements to university students, bringing into their young company specialist skills and knowledge that they may require on a short-term basis (and at an affordable rate!) and the students in turn gain valuable business experience. For the client it also reduces the risk of employing new staff whilst still in the early stages of business development.
The bright and modern spaces encourage potential clients to take those first steps to realising their business ideas. As a professional and exciting environment is provided, the incubator clients enjoy introducing their prospective clients to the space.
For businesses that are struggling in the recession, the University was able to offer (for a limited time) Enterprise Vouchers that were funded through the HEFCE Economic Challenge Investment Fund. Amounts up to the value of £3,500 were offered to assist eligible businesses to access University facilities. The vouchers were very successful and were used to access a full range of university services from business needs analysis and leadership and management training to use of specialist equipment.
'Community breakfasts' have proved popular (focus for example - identifying barriers), appealing to a very diverse group of people from a range of organisations including voluntary sector charities, an arts festival organisation, Romanian fanzine, RSPCA.
'Business breakfasts' enable those at the start of their entrepreneurial journey with local businesses and possible mentors.
Social activities have also been organised.
The Formation Zone's rates are £150 a month for a full-time desk and for entrepreneurs trying to develop their ideas, a 20 day package is available offering desk space and support for £50.
The centres are open 7am-10 pm, 7 days a week (excluding Public Holidays).
Further details
Sally Sharpe, Project Manger, Economic Challenge Investment Fund
Address: University of Plymouth, Research and Enterprise, 3rd floor, Link Building, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA.
Enterpise Solutions - Email, Call: 0800 052 5600
Funding Sources
The Formation Zone is an initiative of the University of Plymouth and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and the South West Regional Development Agency. The Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF) enables the client fee to be subsidised on a sliding scale.
Cost of project
As both incubators are part of larger build/refurbishment projects it is not possible to breakdown costs.
What technology is being used and how is it being used?
The space includes virtual and actual office space. There is a professional meeting room and a city centre postal address for start up businesses. Clients can work from an open-plan, supportive and creative modern space. With flexible agreements for part time and full-time use, the workstations are set up and ready to operate.
Connectivity in the space is through desktop PC or Mac, internet telephone and wireless broadband connection.
Users can also bring in their own laptops and mobile devices to work wirelessly.
How does the technology add value?
The technology adds value to new or pre-trading businesses by providing access to those who may not yet be at a stage to invest in their own equipment. The presentation technology in the meeting rooms allows these start-up businesses to present professionally to clients and potential clients, helping to secure contracts.
What makes the space successful?
The open-plan nature of the spaces, together with a series of social and business meetings, promote networking between the clients. They are encouraged to work together, use each other's services and jointly bid for funding.
The social space is colourful with flexible furniture (donated by Futons247 of Plymouth)
The spaces look very professional and business-like and are an integral part of the refurbished and new buildings within the University of Plymouth's City Centre campus. The location provides an excellent postal address for the businesses working within it and this can be of benefit when building up a new client base as it can help support the professional image.
The clients are directly supported by enthusiastic and knowledgeable centre staff and, as the Formation Zone and Formation 2.0 are part of Enterprise Solutions, the clients have access to an expansive network of support and facilities.
What principles were behind the design?
It is important to the University that the centres are welcoming and so encourage people to discuss their ideas with the staff. However, for Business Angels, mentors and advisers to become involved it is crucial that the spaces look and feel professional.
The University's Strategy includes that of 'Enabling Enterprise' by ' Building a confident enterprise culture secured through collaboration and partnership ... where diversity, creativity and innovation are enabled, realised, valued and rewarded. Our enterprise culture is one of entrepreneurship and creativity, where new ideas are tested and bravery and risk-taking encouraged.'
What is innovative about the design? And use of the building?
Plymouth has been named as the UK's top university in environmental performance in the People and Planet Green League table 2010. The Roland Levinsky Building has been accredited with a 'Very Good' BREEAM rating.
The Roland Levinsky Building is also central to the University of Plymouth's engagement with the community. It acts as the main reception for the university, has a vibrant open-access careers gateway and is host to a huge number of public events, exhibitions, cinema screenings, theatre productions and conferences throughout the year.
The Link Building 3rd floor open-plan area is a dedicated business networking space where businesses, support agencies and other stakeholders are encouraged to meet and network.
What changes have you made as a result of receiving feedback?
Plymouth has recently conducted an evaluation survey and as a result will be developing its business support offering even further and is looking into updating its client payment systems.
Contact Details
Sally Sharpe, Project Manger, Economic Challenge Investment Fund
