Following the official launch of the Innovations Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) at the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (Daresbury SIC), UK, on 4 February, small and start up high tech UK companies can access affordable, state-of-the-art facilities for research and development, backed up by world leading scientific expertise and business support. I-TAC is the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) latest addition to the Daresbury Laboratory site.
Managed by STFC, one of the world’s largest multi disciplinary scientific organizations, I-TAC provides businesses and researchers with affordable and flexible access to cutting-edge scientific equipment that, until now, has only been readily available to academic researchers and large budget companies. Backed up with specialist support from STFC’s own world leading scientists, participating companies will also benefit from the wider business support services and collaborative R&D, networking and innovation opportunities offered at the Daresbury SIC.
STFC has re-used, recycled and refurbished existing laboratories to create this range of fully equipped biological, imaging, materials and physical science laboratories. The flexibility of the facilities available means that businesses only need to commit to paying for the exact facilities that they require. Access is tailored to their specific needs, which can include their own exclusive ‘lock and leave’ laboratories, or for those not locating to the centre, there is the option to have daily access fees or pay hourly for the larger analytical equipment.
Paul Vernon, head of new business at STFC and founder of I-TAC, said, “I-TAC provides the ideal environment to carry out high tech and development work. Carrying out R&D can be costly, especially for new and growing businesses. Now, not only can they gain access to high end scientific equipment that is not normally available to non-academic units, but they can also tap into STFC’s scientific expertise teamed with the knowledge base of North West academic institutions. The combination of services and facilities provided by I-TAC, Daresbury Laboratory and by the campus in general will enable businesses to make discoveries, prove their own technology and achieve that competitive edge necessary to succeed in tomorrow’s global economy.”
