A project to join research and development expertise from University of Liverpool and Lancaster University with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will launch next month.
The Centre for Global Eco-Innovation will have at its heart 50 graduates working on intensive three year collaborative projects with North West SMEs. The graduates will then use these collaborations as the basis of a PhD programme of study backed by senior academic members of staff, all of whom are internationally recognised experts in their respective fields.
Additionally, the Centre will support up to 235 North West companies in their aim to develop new products and services through shorter (three to six month) collaborations with a partner university.
A special showcase event has been organised to officially launch the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation, featuring 50 North West SMEs already undertaking three year intensive collaborative projects.
The showcase, on March 4, will include talks focusing on eco-innovation from Lancaster University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mark E Smith and University of Liverpool Director of Partnerships and Innovation, John Flamson, alongside Centre Co-Directors, Dr Mark Bacon and Dion Williams, and business leaders from the UK and Europe.
The Centre will be officially launched by Lord Drayson of Kensington, a highly successful entrepreneur who built his profile from start-up businesses and the pharmaceutical sector. He now runs a high tech engineering firm and is the first to commit a team to Formula E, the FIA recognised racing series for electric cars.
The project is being delivered by Inventya Limited, alongside University of Liverpool and Lancaster University.
Watch a film about the new Centre here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e7_6rwKr78