Competition open to R&D start-up firms

RESEARCH and development ( R&D) start-ups from across the North West have been offered the chance to win six months of free access to world-class facilities and £10,000 funding for equipment in a competition launched at Daresbury Laboratory.

Firms have until February 5 to enter the contest.

The winner will also receive a six-month business support package with one-to-one planning advice and investment readiness training. To enter, companies must be less than five years old and developing a product or service in any of the following sectors: healthcare, life sciences, chemical, pharmaceutical, energy, environment, advanced materials and food technology.

This is the second time that Daresbury Laboratory’s parent organisation the Science And Technology Facilities Council (STFC) has run the competition for small high-tech businesses.

The previous winner IF Sensing is a medical device development company that is working on creating a low-cost, self-administered test for clinicians and patients to monitor kidney function outside the clinic, aimed at allowing patients, such as those who have had kidney transplant and diabetics, to handle more of their healthcare at home to boost their quality of life while helping to relieve pressure on the NHS.

After completing its six months business incubation period at Daresbury Laboratory, the company took the business decision to continue its tenancy, now in its second year.

Delyth Lloyd, STFC business development manager, said: “Companies can benefit mas- sively from access to the unique business support and incubation facilities we have here at Daresbury Laboratory.

“Our prize winner will be supported all the way by STFC staff to ensure that they get the most out of their time here.

“Winning the competition could mean the difference between being a start-up company with a fantastic idea, to really getting their business off the ground.”

Andrew Roberts, IF Sensing innovation and operations manager, said: “Winning six months access to a lab and Daresbury’s facilities has made a huge difference to IF Sensing’s progress.

“Not only does Daresbury have fantastic technical facilities, and is a great place to work, but the networking opportunities at Daresbury have opened up several new development pathways for us.

“The team at Daresbury are always available to help find new project partners in a variety of disciplines, which is something small companies can often find difficult.”

The closing date for entries is 5pm on Monday, February 5.”

Details on the competition and how to enter can be found at www.stfc.ac.uk