A CLUSTER of early-stage businesses could get hold of up to £15,000 if they hook up with Newcastle Science City this year.
The organisation is repeating a project it staged in February, offering a package of support to small businesses and pre-start-ups with high potential for growth.
The earlier incarnation of the project helped companies such as Newcastle medical device developer G-MED UK through a prototyping phase.
The scheme offers assistance in areas such as market research, prototyping, design work, marketing, software development and legal support, and is largely aimed at firms connected to Science City’s key themes of sustainability, ageing and health, and stem cell and regenerative medicine.
Science City business support manager Vivek Unnikrishnan said: “We saw some very strong business ideas coming forward when we ran this scheme earlier this year and we are really excited to see what this round of applications will bring.”
Interested companies have until noon on Friday, October 7 to submit applications, which should go to support@newcastlesciencecity.com
More details are available on the www.newcastlesciencecity.com website. The package will be given to three pre-start-ups and three SMEs, and is open to companies based in the North East or planning to set up here.
Among the four businesses that received the full £15,000 first time around was G-MED, which specialises in developing innovative ideas for the healthcare market, often devised by people in the NHS itself.
It used the Science City scheme to develop its first two intensive care safety device product designs.
Managing director Ged McGonnell told nebusiness earlier this year that the majority of the products that were being developed were surgical or intensive care tools, and that products would either be sold under license or bought by another company to market to the NHS itself.
The National Patient Safety Awards 2011 has already recognised the potential of one of these devices.
G-MED’s blood sampling device won the Technology and IT award, thanks to its use of a one-way valve that stops the patient being accidentally injected with fluid or gas while blood is being taken from an artery.
McGonnell said: “If it hadn’t been for Newcastle Science City then our products would still just be pictures on a computer screen. The support we’ve received over the past six months has enabled us to accelerate our ideas from the concept stage into physical products that are ready to be peer reviewed and clinically trialled before we move into manufacture.
“The business support team has guided us through the whole process using their networks and sector knowledge and it has proved a very smooth and easy way of getting our product in front of the right people.”
He added: “I’d really encourage businesses with new ideas to apply for this support because our experience proves it can make the world of difference.”
