The Catalyst is latest development on £500m campus project
WORK has started on a building to help fledgling businesses as part of York University’s £500m campus expansion.
The new business space, known as The Catalyst, is part of a major project supported by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Science City York to stimulate the regional economy through a range of new developments being undertaken by the university and the Food and Environment Research Agency at Sand Hutton.
The Catalyst aims to keep York at the forefront of work to promote economic development around world leading universities and is designed to support the growth and development of early stage companies in the creative, IT, digital and media sectors.
Science City York’s major project application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programme in Yorkshire and Humber secured £19.7m to develop new infrastructure to improve regional competitiveness in the science and technology sectors.
More than £15m of this is being allocated to help fund the university’s campus expansion including The Catalyst, knowledge exchange accommodation in the Sir Ron Cooke Hub and the new Higher York Creative Technology Centre.
It aims to give new businesses the opportunity to access the facilities and the teaching and research expertise of the university’s academic departments including computer science, law and management and the new Department of Theatre, Film and Television.
York Science Park will lease and manage the building and use its experience of successful incubation on the Science Park to integrate knowledge exchange between the commercial and academic environments.
The Catalyst will provide networking and collaboration opportunities and a range of specialist business support services dedicated to assist early stage businesses.
Due for completion in the autumn, The Catalyst will feature flexible, fully serviced office spaces with a range of all inclusive, short term rental options.
Tracey Smith, general manager of York Science Park, said: “The Catalyst will provide the perfect space for early stage companies in the creative, IT, digital and media sectors to innovate and grow. Its unique location will enable new businesses in these sectors to draw on the wealth of knowledge and expertise available in the university and give them a real head start on their road to commercial success.”
Andy Gurnell, of Science City York, said: “Accelerated growth of the creative and digital industries is a key element in promoting York’s economic success. Securing European funding has enabled the development of an innovative infrastructure initiative which will cement York’s position as a leading centre for knowledge exchange and as a city of science. We’re delighted to be centrally involved in this important new opportunity for business.”
The main contractor for The Catalyst is BAM Construction.
