Miranda Knaggs (Corporate Development Director at We Are Pioneer Group), Cllr Kevin Bentley (Leader, Essex County Council), MP Robert Halfon, Professor Roderick Watkins (Vice Chancellor, ARU), and Dr Beverley Vaughan (Director, Arise Innovation Hub).
Health and engineering companies have already taken up residence at Arise
A new business incubation space aimed at attracting innovative companies to Essex has been officially opened today (Friday, 25 March).
The Arise Innovation Hub is a new £6million building providing office space, research and development facilities, meeting rooms and easy access to services on the innovation park.
Arise has been funded by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and Essex County Council, and will be vital to establishing Essex as a MedTech and science hub, offering firms access to expertise and use of world-leading facilities at ARU’s campuses in Chelmsford and Cambridge.
The building, situated on the new Harlow Innovation Park, is an ideal space for innovative start-ups and entrepreneurs looking for a base to grow their company. Businesses that have already moved into Arise include health technology firms and an engineering company working closely with NASA.
Arise was officially opened by Essex County Council leader, Councillor Kevin Bentley. Cllr Bentley said:
“Supporting innovative enterprises to grow is core to delivering the economic commitments of the Council’s Everyone’s Essex plan. We are proud to be working in partnership with Anglia Ruskin University in the official opening of the Arise Innovation Hub.
“Arise provides state-of-the-art research facilities, and I am confident that the hub will play a pivotal role in attracting and growing businesses in Harlow and will support Essex’s continued economic growth into the future.”
Professor Roderick Watkins, Vice Chancellor of ARU, said:
“ARU is a place where collaboration, research and scholarly activity informs everything which we do, and many of our courses are designed with industry and are professionally accredited. Last year we helped nearly 2,000 businesses grow with the help of interns, training, research and collaborative programmes.
“Our presence on the Harlow Innovation Park represents a launchpad for ideas, entrepreneurs and start-up companies. We will be an integral part of building on the existing strengths of this region, which include life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital technology.”
Dr Beverley Vaughan, Director of the Arise Innovation Hub, said:
“History has taught us that research, development and innovation are critical to our future health and wellbeing, both physically and economically.
“I am passionate about how we make the UK and Essex part of a vibrant innovation ecosystem we are all proud to be part of.”
The official launch event was attended by senior representatives from Essex County Council and ARU, Harlow MP Robert Halfon, as well as other partners including Harlow Council, Medilink Midlands and We Are Pioneer Group, which are working closely with the Arise Innovation Hub.
Mr Halfon said:
“ARU is such an important university for Essex and its neighbouring counties. This is an incredibly proud day for Harlow as ARU has given it a vote as a very important place for science and MedTech innovation and research.”
Darren Clark, CEO of Medilink Midlands, said:
“As a Medilink Midlands Patron, Anglia Ruskin University embodies the core values of innovation and support which are at the heart of our working together. The East of England region has a lot to offer life science companies and I am confident that the Arise Innovation Hub will be another fine asset to the region’s innovative and resourceful business community.”
If you’d like to know more about Arise, would like a tour of the hub or have any questions about how Arise can support your business, please email business@aru.ac.uk.
This article was first published on the ARU website which you can view here
About Arise
Arise Innovation Hubs, in Chelmsford and Harlow, are a partnership between Anglia Ruskin University and Essex County Council. Supporting the health and medtech sectors with virtual and physical support through office, co-working and meeting room space, across to expertise and facilities in the ARU campuses of Chelmsford and Cambridge. Supporting start-ups in healthcare across Essex and North London.
