10/12/10
Glamorgan and Venture Wales forge closer links on Graduate Enterprise
Support for graduate enterprise is to be strengthened by closer collaboration between the University of Glamorgan and business support organisation, Venture Wales. The University’s business incubation facility, the Graduate Teleworking initiative (GTi), part of the Commercial and International Office and now in its 10th year of operation, is re-locating to the headquarters of Venture Wales, Ty Menter, at Navigation Park Abercynon, as of 1st November.
The University of Glamorgan’s Centre for Enterprise supports a range of entrepreneurial activity through research and a series of high profile business events such as Real Seminars. Gary Packham, Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Glamorgan, commented: “Supporting graduates into business start-up has been a strong element of the University’s practical approach to enterprise education. We look forward to closer working links with Venture Wales, as the provider of the Graduate Support Scheme in Wales”.
Phil Cooper, Chief Executive of Venture Wales, welcomes the opportunity to host the University’s business incubation facility.
“Housing the GTi incubation centre within the Venture Wales headquarters we put us in an even better position to advise and support graduates who are setting up their own businesses. We work closely with the Welsh Assembly Government to identify appropriate candidates for our Graduate Start-Up Support Programme and this new link up will enable us to not only offer an excellent advice service but also to provide office space for new start-ups.”
The purpose of the GTi incubator is to allow students and graduates to develop a business idea in a supported environment, removing some of the barriers to start-up. This hotdesking incubator offers a credible business address, professional office environment, membership of a vibrant business network, as well as access to high quality meeting rooms and facilities. Pam Voisey, GTi Manager, says: “Working with Venture Wales on Graduate Support is a natural progression for both organisations, and we’re looking forward to the new space, and new opportunities to provide individuals with high quality support in their entrepreneurial journey”.
