Despite the threat of rain, 120 clients and staff gathered at the Knowledge Dock Centre to celebrate 365 days of enterprise and innovation on 11th July 2007. It marked a very successful first year, one which saw the Queen herself visit UEL and one student awarded £10,000 at the culmination of the E-Factor competition, not to mention the many businesses thriving as a result of KD’s services.

The mood of ‘We Are One’ reflected this success, providing an informal chance to network over drinks in an environment described by Knowledge Dock Enterprise Services Manager Gareth Lewis as “relaxed and friendly.” Fortune cookies and barbecued food were a big talking point, and the sausages on offer were extremely well received.

As well as being light hearted, the party was an invaluable opportunity for those interested in finding out more about the Knowledge Dock to tour the building and its facilities. Many guests took up the chance to learn more about the SimLab, HotHatch, and FabPad and discover how KDBC can help businesses grow.

The licensees of the Knowledge Dock Centre seized upon the opportunity to meet new people and forge contacts. Rebecca Wilkinson, whose start-up dancewear company Pas De Deux uses the HotHatch, liked the fact that, “it was a great chance to meet other businesses that use in the Knowledge Dock; one of the best things about being based here is that you have all these other SMEs with ideas and advice, and the barbecue was an opportunity to make the most of this.”

Other guests included companies and students who had taken part in the Shell Step programme, as well as representatives from the London Chamber of Commerce, London Development Agency and East London Small Business Centre.