http://www.innovationcentrehastings.com A range of purpose-built, state of the art managed business space, including studios, workshops and offices. en-gb Wed, 03 Feb 10 14:43:26 GMT Wed, 03 Feb 10 14:43:26 GMT Copyright (c) Innovation Centre http://www.innovationcentrehastings.com/legal/ http://www.innovationcentrehastings.com/images/layout/title.gif 25 89 http://www.innovationcentrehastings.com WOULD YOU LIKE A BOX FULL OF EXPERT DESIGN ADVICE AT THE TOUCH OF A BUTTON?

The Envirowise eco-design team is back and pleased to announce the launch of a new innovative eco-design forum, DesignBox. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Feb/Envirowise-launches-new-innovative-eco-design-forum%3A-DesignBox/329/ Wed, 03 Feb 10 00:00:00 GMT The UK Innovation Investment Fund is off the ground with the first closing of the GBP125m Hermes Private Equity environmental innovation fund.

The Environmental Innovation Fund, managed by Hermes Private Equity, will now start investing in low carbon and clean technology funds and co-investing in companies, providing much needed venture capital to help these innovative businesses grow. The Hermes Fund will focus on investment opportunities aimed at increasing the efficient use of resources (both renewable and non renewable) at all stages of production and consumption. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Feb/UK-Innovation-Investment-Fund-Launches-%C2%A3125m-Environmental-Investment-Fund/327/ Tue, 02 Feb 10 00:00:00 GMT The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has allocated GBP3.8m to green businesses throughout the region and established a GBP4m sustainability loan fund.

The GBP3.8m will fund 2,500 businesses to develop initiatives within a framework of six sustainability-led projects. The projects focus primarily on waste reduction, sustainable procurement and the development of sustainable technologies. Qualifying businesses will undergo training and environmental audits in order to establish methods that boost profits through energy reduction. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Feb/SEEDA-provides-%C2%A38m-to-help-South-East-businesses-go-green/328/ Tue, 02 Feb 10 00:00:00 GMT A free online public procurement course designed to help smaller firms bid for the GBP220 billion of public sector contracts awarded each year was today launched jointly by Small Business Minister Lord Davies and the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Liam Byrne.

The course, 'Winning the Contract', shows participants how to identify business opportunities to supply goods and services to the public sector, explains the public procurement process, and demonstrates how to submit tenders. It has helpful hints and tips to guide and inform businesses on the bidding process, and where to find public sector contract opportunities. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Feb/Free-Course-to-Help-Smaller-Firms-Bid-for-Government-Contracts/326/ Mon, 01 Feb 10 00:00:00 GMT Until the end of March, the NAS will provide up to 5,000 Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of 16 and 17 year olds (AGE 16 and 17) each with a value of £2,500 to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16-17 year olds as apprentices. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Jan/Help-with-wage-costs-for-apprenticeships/325/ Tue, 26 Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT National Grid Gas has awarded St Leonards company Drallim Industries the contract for the manufacture of 966 Slamshut Cabinets for their countrywide replacement programme. The contract has a duration of seven years with a value of GBP3 million. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Jan/National-Grid-Gas-Awards-%C2%A33-Million-Contract-to-Drallim-Industries/321/ Mon, 25 Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT A new centre to support the growth of the digital media sector in the Hastings area opens at the end of January, with a specialist programme of enterprise workshops for local digital media businesses and freelancers.

The Media Enterprise Centre, located on the 5th floor of Queensbury House in Hastings town centre, will be a unique space for networking, accessing resources, meeting clients and partners...... http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Jan/Digital-Media-Enterprise-Training/322/ Mon, 25 Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT Manufacturing companies in the South East will be entitled to a free manufacturing review following a visit to the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) South East stand at Southern Manufacturing exhibition at FIVE in Farnborough, Hampshire on 10 and 11 February.

The MAS South East team will be on-hand at Stand J15 to discuss the practical support available, including an initial free review of shopfloor processes and overall layout in order to find bottom line benefits.

MAS South East will also deliver an exciting programme of seminars at the exhibition, including...... http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Jan/Free-Manufacturing-Review-for-South-East-Manufacturers/323/ Mon, 25 Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT Hastings inventor Ronnie Lee has created a unique recycled plastic roof tile that provides greater insulation and improved soundproofing, with environmental benefits.

VonRon roof tiles are interlocking, making them simple and quick to fit. The recycled plastic is hardwearing, ensuring tiles don’t chip or damage easily, and can be supplied in a range of colours and styles. 90% of the tiles are recyclable at the end of their lifespan. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Jan/Roof-of-the-future%21/324/ Mon, 25 Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT A dedicated IT training suite equipped with 14 PCs and an interactive projector/smart board is now available to hire at the Innovation Centre in St Leonards.

The facility is managed by the Product Development Centre (PDC) - run by the University of Brighton to bring best practice in product development to businesses, individuals and schools in the Hastings area. The Product Development Centre provides expertise in creativity, design concepts, 3D modelling and CAD, rapid prototyping, as well as wider subjects such as intellectual property and manufacturing. http://www.eastsussexhub.co.uk/news/ich/Jan/IT-Training-Suite-for-Hire/317/ Thu, 14 Jan 10 00:00:00 GMT