Book illustrators, graphic and software designers, computer game makers, web designers, a screen printer, ceramics maker and a team of film makers were just a few of the innovative start up businesses that dazzled adventurer Charley Boorman at the launch of Northampton’s newly expanded Portfolio Innovation Centre.
The afternoon event, which took place on Friday, April 24, was organised to celebrate the Centre’s dramatic £3million plus expansion. Portfolio Innovation Centre, a regional home and support network to both new and established innovative businesses in the design, digital and creative sector, had received an additional £3million plus to expand into a three floor home and hub, based at The University of Northampton.
More than 100 guests joined travel and motorbike enthusiast Charley and resident businesses opened their office and studio doors to treat visitors to a colourful array of workshops and interactive drop in sessions. Highlights for Charley included watching local artist Mike Skidmore, who is a business mentor at the Centre, paint a portrait of Charley. He also met resident businesses NTI High Performance Engineering Network and Cougar RED (Race Engineering Developments) Ltd – who were showcasing their two-stroke racing motorcycle fitted with their unique engine designed for Bio-ethanol.
Charley, who rode into town for the event on one of his nine beloved motorbikes, said: “What a fabulous event and Centre. At Portfolio there is such diverse range of creative talent, with innovation at the heart of it all. I would have loved, in my early days in business, to have been based somewhere like this – to have been surrounded by other creative businesses and to have been able to share and exchange ideas. Working from home can be really de-motivating and lonely, so the support Portfolio offers start ups is incredible. The networking is fantastic, the rent does not break the bank and Portfolio gives people a leg up on the ladder of success.
“I have met a book illustrator who has just won a huge book deal, played an award winning computer game designed by a business duo here, seen a motorbike which runs on Bio-ethanol, had a beautiful plate made and designed for me by a resident ceramicist and spoken to businesses who have already joined forces to tender and win big contracts. All of this and much more in one Centre – Portfolio is an example of pure creativity and innovation, with support for businesses at its very core.”
Charley added: “Even more amazing was walking into one studio and seeing a huge painting of my face on canvas. I think the artist Mike was very kind though – he has made me look far more rugged than I do, so I am very grateful!”
Centre Manager, Wendy Nikolaidis, added: “Running a business is not easy and at times very difficult. Helping people through these difficult times is important and we are thrilled at Portfolio to be able to offer a home to more businesses than ever before. We now have 46 offices and studios and nearly half are already full.
“Thanks to Portfolio there is no longer any reason for design, digital and creative companies to leave Northamptonshire. This Innovation Centre was set up by The University of Northampton to nurture dynamic and vibrant businesses – and it does just that.”
Portfolio Innovation Centre, which first opened in 2006 as a single storey building, is an initiative of The University of Northampton and is based at the University’s Avenue Campus. This enables tenants to access University facilities and expertise. It has now expanded into a three floor Centre, complete with 46 studios and offices.
Portfolio is a co-funded project – funded by The University of Northampton, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC), Arts Council East Midlands and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (NEL).
For more information on Portfolio call (01604) 779000, visit www.northampton.ac.uk/portfolio or email portfolio@northampton.ac.uk
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Quotes from Portfolio Innovation Centre resident businesses:
MKN
MKN is young and growing web development and online marketing agency. The directors decided to move to the Portfolio Innovation Centre this year after outgrowing their previous office space.
Tim Mckeown, co-Director, said: “We made the decision to move to the Portfolio Centre as it offered the best mix of facilities, location and value for money. Our business has benefited greatly from the professional and helpful staff and various networking opportunities.”
Games Faction Ltd – a computer games development company, whose latest game is Project Aftermath
Malcolm Reed said: “Being one of the many resident businesses from the same sector is a great reason to be based here. There is a huge resource of free advice right outside my office and we exchange information, share contacts and even cross refer work.”
LionSorbet – a product design and innovation company
Steve Irvine said: “Setting up a new business was always going to be a stressful time, but doing it at the Centre meant we could take small steps into the corporate world and focus on what mattered. So, instead of getting anxious about long leases and confusing contracts, we were able to concentrate on business plans, profit projections and creativity. The Centre Manager offered advice and support and linked us up with a dynamic business mentor when we most needed focus and clarity. The flexible lease and affordable rent were a bonus and everything was there to help us succeed and thrive.”
Quotes from Portfolio Innovation Centre funders:
The University of Northampton
"At the University we are delighted to see our dream become a reality. The original research, conducted by the University's Business School in 2004, clearly demonstrated the potential of an Innovation Centre for the creative industries. Our commitment, in the form of the land and building, is worth over £2.2million and, together with the help of our partners, this brings the total investment by all partners to over £6million – which has created a truly attractive and vibrant Centre". ""
Dr Frank Burdett, Pro Vice Chancellor Research and Business Development.
West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC)
“WNDC is proud to be associated with the Portfolio Centre and to make a significant investment of over £1.7 million towards its successful delivery. The creative industries are associated with innovation and a commitment to quality – and nowhere is that demonstrated more than in the Portfolio Innovation Centre. WNDC’s purpose is to deliver physical regeneration projects and appropriate jobs to support it. The Portfolio Innovation Centre will ensure the long term successful growth of Northampton through increased opportunities for jobs in the creative industries”.
Mark Conway, Head of Communications, West Northamptonshire Development Corporation
Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd (NEL)
“We are very excited about the opening of the second phase of the Portfolio Innovation centre, after the huge success of the pilot project. The project is a true example of great partnership collaboration and is a great asset to Northamptonshire. The newly expanded Centre will support new businesses and jobs in difficult economic circumstances.”
Sajeeda Rose, Head of Programme Management, NEL
Arts Council England
"We are pleased to be working in partnership with the University, WNDC and Northamptonshire Enterprise Ltd to make Portfolio an exciting and sustainable creative entity that is an asset to Northamptonshire. We believe that the arts have the power to change lives and communities, and to create opportunities for people throughout the country. This centre has and will continue to provide opportunities for individual practitioners and creative organisations, to enable them to grow as businesses and make the most of their talents."
Tina Smith, Regional Partnerships Officer covering Northamptonshire for Arts Council England
Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people's lives. As the national development agency for the arts, we support a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts. Portfolio Innovation Centre has and will continue to support and develop talent across all of these art forms.
Between 2008 and 2011, Arts Council will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country. We are delighted to have been partners on the Portfolio innovation centre project and to have contributed £200,000 to its on going development.”