Innovation Europe > News > Innovation EU Vol2-1 > Access Wales

Technology-based businesses with high growth potential, and looking to expand into the UK, are being offered free accommodation in Welsh innovation centres in a new “try before you buy” initiative.

Access Wales is a new pilot project that offers hi-tech and knowledge-based companies the opportunity to test the market before making any long-term decision about expanding into new markets.

Businesses that meet Access Wales eligibility criteria will not only benefit from a free desk space for up to 12 months in a choice of 15 high-tech innovation centres, but a unique package of benefits tailored to the needs of emerging technology companies.

Business support

Access Wales is a new service from International Business Wales –the trade and investment arm of the Welsh Assembly Government – and participating businesses will have access to the Assembly Government’s fully integrated business support service.

Access Wales is a free service and includes fast, straightforward access to information, advice and support on grants and finance, property, innovation support, technology, marketing assistance, sourcing suppliers and skills development.

In addition, companies are also eligible for specialist business support from professional consultancy partners worth in the region of £10,000.

This covers areas such as business strategy, market and competitor intelligence, sales consultancy, intellectual property, recruitment, HR and training, health and safety as well as access to local business networks.

If more in-depth specialist consultancy is required, Access Wales participants will be eligible to apply for 50% funding towards the cost of this additional support through the Welsh Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund.

The 15 innovation centres involved in Access Wales include 11 Technium centres, Cardiff Medicentre, Cardiff Business Technology Centre, @Wales Digital Media Initiative and The Engineering Centre for Manufacturing & Materials (ECM²).

Many of these centres specialise in particular industry sectors such as digital media, performance engineering, sustainable technologies, opto-electronics, biosciences, IT and software, and bioscience. The desk spaces offered come equipped with tele-phones and high-speed internet connection and are typically located within open-plan shared business units with access to shared facilities, such as reception services, meeting rooms and conference facilities.

On arrival in Wales, each business will benefit from an induction programme from Access Wales that are built around their specific needs. Meanwhile, ongoing support will be provided through a dedicated Access Wales manager, who will be on hand to provide assistance throughout the transition.

Welcome to wales

The Welcome to Wales team from Access Wales will help make the move to a new country as easy as possible and can advise on a range of more personal aspects of the move.

The induction programme will typically include introductions to local academic research groups, meetings with local business networks and industry bodies, introductions to key companies of interest, a familiarisation tour of the region and initial meetings with Assembly Government business advisors and professional consultancy partners.

In order to meet the eligibility criteria, businesses must currently be located outside of Wales, that is, elsewhere in the UK/Europe, Asia Pacific or North America. Businesses must also operate in a high-tech or knowledge-based sector that has high growth potential.

For more information about Access Wales, contact:

International Business Wales
Welsh Assembly Government
Plas Glyndwr
Kingsway
Cardiff
CF10 3AH
Wales, UK
Tel: + 44 (0)1443 845500
E-mail: ibwales@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.ibwales.com