Sheffield Technology Parks at 30

Presentation (not actually) given by Tom Wolfenden at the 3rd Meta Meetup even, organised by Sheffield Digital, in which he outlines the history of the venerable not-for-profit Sheffield economic development organisation, and the latest Cooper Project initiatives to support very early stage businesses.

Transcript

1. Sheffield Technology Parks The first 30 years: 1988-2018
2. Sheffield Science Park Co Ltd One Site – Cooper Buildings 16,000 Sqft Serviced office provision Non Profit – Limited By Guarantee (important)
3. Sheffield Science Park Co Ltd
4. Early Days Opened 1988 Sheffield Science Park concept Sheffield City Council EC Central Gvt Urban Programme
5. Early Days Scaled back: pressures between Local and Central Gvt CiQ development SHU formed 1992 1998 AMP proposal
6. 1988-2013 • 1988 – 2004 140 SMEs accommodated across 2 sites – Cooper buildings and Shirland lane (Don Valley) • Lead sponsor on 22 business support and tech transfer projects • ERDF, DTI, Business Link SY, Objective 1 • 1000 businesses assisted by these interventions • £3.6m combined project value
7. Environment Significant investment locally 2006 Digital Campus Proposal Hub Building Bid (now Electric Works) 2008 crash
8. Environment Significant investment locally 2006 Digital Campus Proposal Hub Building Bid (now Electric Works) 2008 crash
9. 2012- Present • CEO left after 16 years • Started to trade out of difficulties • 2013 • Property Focus • Long term Tenants • Business support in Flux • Danger of Duplication • Change in Business Needs TW appointed as Joint manager of STP and Workstation
10. 2018-2020 2018 is our 30th Year of Trading • We have a 2020 vision and plan for the next 2 years • Focus on resetting our mission • Pre-Start and Start Up Businesses • Current Client Growth Support
11. The affordable City Centre location to start and grow your digital business
12. Cooper Project • Incubation environment • Idea Testing – MVP • Problem exploration • Business modelling • Existing Support Provision – Launch Pad through Business Sheffield (del partner for Sheffield in SCR) • SCR business support programme – working with us to fit the needs of Cooper Project members
13. The Next 30 years City is changing More Workspace? Kollider @ Castle House Heart of the City 2 AMID – Don Valley SHU Masterplan Useful Friend - enabling buildings and building networks between clients