Southend-on-Sea Borough Council - Universities & Research
University of Essex
The University of Essex has various departments based at the Southend Campus, these are East 15 Acting School, Essex Business School, Professional Development and Health and Human Sciences. Also based at the campus is the Business Hub, which is a purpose built facility, within The Gateway Building which offers a variety of support services which are designed to help deliver a sustainable and successful business culture. The Business Hub is helping to develop the links between business and education in Southend.
The Business Hub offers access to information, with on site advice and training, to help and support business. At the moment and until March 2011, the Business Hub is running a range of FREE and subsidised workshops for Southend based businesses. For further information go to Business Hub.
Similarly the Business Hub helps with innovation, within the facility is the new inspiration i-Lab. The i-Lab (innovation laboratory) is a specialist facility which has been created to encourage and inspire creative thought. The i-Lab can be used to solve all kinds of issues, be it team building or the development of creative ideas. The technology within the lab promotes the sharing of ideas quickly and anonymously, encouraging more input and engagement. With good facilitation the i-Lab can help with different obstacles and situations, making sure the group reaches a successful outcome.
The Business Hub is also committed to the incubation of new businesses. The Business Incubation Centre (BIC) within the Hub is made up of 20 units of differing size and shape and are available to rent by start-up and growing businesses.
Businesses within the BIC will benefit from purpose-built office accommodation in a prestigious location, a variety of modern and innovative facilities, a network of other start-up companies, and support and guidance from business development experts and academics specialising in entrepreneurship and innovation. The Essex Business School is located at the Southend campus as well as the Colchester campus.
