News
European Commission award UEL's Knowledge Dock prestigious Business Innovation Centre status
28 August 2008
Thursday 28 August 2008
European Commission award UEL’s
Knowledge Dock prestigious ‘Business
Innovation Centre’ status
Knowledge Dock prestigious ‘Business
Innovation Centre’ status
Knowledge Dock, the University of East London’s (UEL) enterprise development service, has been awarded official recognition as a Business and Innovation Centre (BIC) by the European Commission.
The award of BIC status was conferred after a rigorous assessment process carried out by the European Business Network earlier this summer. The Knowledge Dock Business Centre, based at UEL’s Docklands campus, was certified as a European Commission BIC in recognition of the excellent support the service provides to entrepreneurs and innovative small and medium enterprises (SME) in east London.
Knowledge Dock has now become part of a European-wide group who share best practice in developing SMEs, enabling the organisation to offer new opportunities to the hundreds of businesses they work with.
Rob Moss, Director of Knowledge Dock, said: “This EC endorsement means that Knowledge Dock is now the only officially recognised BIC in London – becoming the 12th BIC in the UK and part of a network of 160 organisations across 21 European countries.
“We believe there is a wealth of innovation potential in London and our objective is to connect enterprising individuals and SMEs to the resources needed to explore their ideas and develop their business. With this award from the European Business Network we can seek exciting new opportunities for our local businesses.”
Martin Longstaff, Development Manager at the University of East London, was part of the team that helped Knoledge Dock to gain BIC status. Martin said: “Being part of the European BIC Network will provide a gateway for local businesses to make international connections and will open up opportunities for extra funding in the local area.
“This EC award is a clear indication of the European Commission’s support for providers, such as Knowledge Dock, who help support local businesses and the regeneration of east London.”
UEL’s Knowledge Dock enterprise development and support service contributes to the economic and social development of east London and Thames Gateway through provision of a range of business development and support services to inventors, businesses, academics, students and entrepreneurs."
Further information
Kate Ashenden
Communications Executive
Knowledge Dock
020 8223 7076
Notes
As the business facing arm of UEL, Knowledge Dock provides enterprise services for businesses, public and voluntary sector organisations, as well as to students and entrepreneurs. Knowledge Dock’s mission is to support the development of enterprise and innovation by providing access to the facilities, knowledge and expertise of the University of East London, its academic staff and its students.
For background information on BIC and other projects on both a national and international level, please visit the European Business and Innovation Centre Network website:- http://www.ebn.be/content/default.asp?PageID=1&MenuGroup=1&MenuNum=1
