Innovation Hub on track to open this summer!
We’re delighted that the Edinburgh Innovation Hub, which is being built on land around the QMU campus in Musselburgh, is on track for completion this summer.
A ‘topping out’ ceremony took place in December 2024 to mark the completion of the roof and structure of the Hub, which will be a nationally significant centre for innovation driven business growth.
The Hub, a joint venture between East Lothian Council and QMU, will offer flexible laboratory, office and fully equipped meeting and conference spaces for rent by small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Tenants will be able to rent flexible accommodation packages for move-in ready space that are bespoke to their size and needs.
The venture is supported by £28.6 million from the UK Government, £1.4 million from the Scottish Government and £10 million from East Lothian Council, as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (ESES City Region Deal).
Sir Paul Grice, QMU Principal, said: “Along with driving economic development locally and nationally, the Hub will act as a gateway into QMU for businesses, increase opportunities at the University for industry-relevant research and knowledge exchange, promote an entrepreneurial culture, and increase the vibrancy of the area around the campus. The Hub is not just a new building, it will be a new business.”
Could the Hub be the answer for your business? Find out more at:
www.edinburghinnovationhub.co.uk
Exciting new partnership boosts QMU’s entrepreneurial support
In recent years, QMU has done much to enable our talented graduates to fulfil their entrepreneurial ambitions by starting their own business. But our commitment to entrepreneurship goes far beyond simply supporting students to develop start-ups. Our aim has been to unlock a more connected entrepreneurial culture across our research and knowledge exchange work and our student experience by promoting entrepreneurial mindsets, and to ensure that all students can view entrepreneurship as a viable graduate destination.
That’s why we’ve launched an exciting new partnership with Bright Red Triangle (BRT), which is taking entrepreneurial support at QMU to a whole new level.
Bright Red Triangle’s impressive entrepreneurial support services are highly regarded by the Scottish Government. The organisation has supported more than 1,000 start-ups and freelancers since it launched in 2005. The new partnership, which now involves QMU and Edinburgh College as well as the original provider, Edinburgh Napier University, means that budding entrepreneurs from across all three of these institutions will be able to access Bright Red Triangle services such as start-up advice, training, workshops, and opportunities to turn innovative ideas into business ventures or creative solutions.
This provides students, graduates and staff with access to a unique and diverse portfolio of specialist support across each institution’s key areas of expertise from wellbeing, health, and food and drink; to creative industries and tourism, product and graphic design, engineering, construction, and computing and AI.
Talking about the new BRT partnership, QMU’s Principal, Sir Paul Grice, said: “This builds on the tailored support we’ve provided in the past by strengthening our overall entrepreneurial offering and improving graduate skills and employability. Easy access to exceptional business support across three locations, and the opportunity to network with other likeminded people, can only help to improve the chance of success as aspiring entrepreneurs turn their innovative ideas into successful ventures.”
Kim Stewart, Director of QMU’s Research and Knowledge Exchange Development Unit, said: “This exciting new alliance supports our vision for regional collaboration which assists economic transformation by building on QMU’s 15-year partnership with our on-campus Business Gateway service run by East Lothian Council. It also aligns with our strategic commitment to Community Wealth Building and future Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal ambitions with the opening in 2025 of the Edinburgh Innovation Hub in the land surrounding the campus.” ρ
Are you a graduate who would benefit from fantastic entrepreneurial support? Here’s how you can tap into Bright Red Triangle services:
- Do you have a business idea, but you’re not sure how to get started?
- Need advice about developing your existing business?
- Want access to free training?
- Need desk space to work from, or free spaces for professional meetings?
- Want to meet and chat with like-minded graduates?
You don’t need to do everything by yourself. The BRT team is here to support you, so get the specialist help you need to kick-start your successful entrepreneurial journey. Find out more at:
www.brightredtriangle.co.uk