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Welcome to the second issue of nova, updating you on all the latest activities in the Torbay Innovation Centre – the local business incubation unit based in South Devon College. Adrian Sheen

Building for success
lymington roadThe first stone has been laid in the construction of the second incubation centre at Lymington Road in Torquay.

The purpose-built centre will consist of 5,625 ft2 of office space and will provide state-of-the-art facilities for 30 new businesses employing up to 60 people. The centre is scheduled to open in Summer 2008.

Fluid IT Solutions
paul carthy fluid it
Paul Carthy has settled into the centre. His company, Fluid IT Solutions is dynamic and progressive and provides innovative, cost-effective and up to date business solutions through the integration of information technology.

Fluid IT Solutions are involved in every aspect of the IT sector, such as consultancy, web design, networking, installation and IT support packages. Paul explains "We tailor our services to our clients' exact requirements and provide all the IT capabilities they need, leaving them free to concentrate on their core business activities. Not only do we provide creative IT solutions, we aim to offer an exemplary level of customer service including total reliability and second-to-none response times."

Paul's organisational ability and discipline are also put to good use in martial arts where is an active member of Torbay Judo Club and Torbay Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Russian Sombo Club and also competes in Cornish Wrestling. He is collaborating with Elena Cooper of Atlas Language Centre to provide combined English Language and martial arts tuition for overseas students.



Totally Embedded
paul bearneWhen Paul Bearne mentioned the idea of moving into the Torbay Innovation Centre to his wife, she packed his things that night! After 6 months of working from the dining room, surrounded by computers and electronic equipment, the time had come to find more suitable premises.

For Paul it has been a fantastic step. "Great facilities, quieter environment, more room, business advice on hand and networking with like-minded people have all made the move into the Centre worthwhile, not to mention regaining a dining room and a more peaceful home life!"

The business - Total Embedded Solutions - is going from strength to strength. "I have just clinched big order with Salta Engineering GMBh to provide an electronic unit to monitor the weight and angle of industrial baskets on large machines. A workman was recently crushed to death by one of these machines, this unit provides a failsafe which will prevent this happening again."

pb chinaPaul has just returned from China where the units will be manufactured. "The trip was fantastic and the people are fabulous. I am really excited about the next stage - the prototype is currently being tested in the UK and production should start in the autumn."

 


South Devon Business Mentors
kr

Designed to give new businesses valuable advice and support in their early stages, the Mentor initiative is developing well with nearly 20 companies now taking part in the scheme.

Keith Richardson of Richardson Hotels is the latest mentor to get off the mark and has recently started working with a local food company.

ticNew Centre Layout
Due to popular demand, four new self contained offices are currently being built in the Centre.

To accommodate these, the communal area is being moved to a new location and some desks redistributed within the open plan area.

Come to the First Friday meeting on the 7th Sept and check out the new layout.


Come along to the next First Friday Breakfast meeting on
7th September at the Innovation Centre where Julian Reiman will be talking about World Class Customer Service.

 8.30:
Buffet breakfast
 9.
10: Welcome - Adrian Sheen
 9.
15: World Class Customer Service
 9
.30: Networking
 10.
00: Close

Please reply if you wish to attend so we can arrange
a bacon bap, or vegetarian option for you.



Ju
ly Meeting
Over 60 people attended the second First Friday breakfast meeting. Ben Bryant, Business Mentor from Envision gave a brief talk on how businesses can save money and increase competitiveness by undertaking an environmental review to investigate ways to:

  • minimise waste
  • increase recycling
  • become more energy efficient
  • reduce utility spend
  • break into eco-products markets
  • increase resource efficiency

Ben Bryant Envision

News in brief

el

Congratulations to Marina Nickiforova, a Russian student from the University of Tomsk who recently won a two week all expenses paid English and Business trip to Torbay. The competition was created and sponsored by Elena Cooper from Atlas Language Centre

new logo

Don't forget to put 12-16 Nov in your diary as it is National Enterprise Week. This event is designed to encourage entrepreneurial spirit across the UK. A packed itinerary is being planned by Torbay Innovation Centre and South Devon College. Look out for details over the coming weeks.

blBusiness Link
Workshops
There are 5 free business start-up workshops taking place over the coming weeks:

20/8 : Pre-start Awareness, 9.30-12.30
5/9 : Finance, 9.30-4.30
12/9 : Pre-start Awareness, 5.30-8.30pm
14/9 : Planning & Regulations, 9.30-4.30
17/9 : Sales & Marketing, 9.30-4.30

A further 7 workshops are planned for October and November. For more details, please call Lisa on 01803 540500.

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