Essex Technology & Innovation Centre
What is the Essex Technology & Innovation Centre?
The Essex Technology & Innovation Centre is the centre piece of ExDRA’s delivery of the Essex Innovation Strategy.
Opened in November 2005, it exists to develop emerging and early stage innovative businesses that have high growth potential, offering a stimulating working environment with a variety of on-site support. The Centre is the ideal solution for individuals and small scale collaborations taking their first steps in starting or developing their business.
Occupying a pleasant location in rural Essex, just outside Ongar, with convenient access from the M11, Chelmsford, Brentwood and Harlow, the Centre is ideally located. But it’s not just about floorspace - businesses have access to a wide range of expert advice as well as academic and commercial contacts, that will provide all the necessary support to encourage growth and ensure the success of the business.
Providing 30 modern high quality self-contained office units on flexible and competitive terms, together with conference facilities and access to a network of professionals that could support you and your business idea, the Essex Technology & Innovation Centre is a unique solution that ExDRA is proud to be providing.
So, if you have a great business idea why not give the Essex Technology & Innovation Centre a call – we’ll be only too happy to help.
Latest news from the Centre and events taking place there are shown below.
Local Business Shortlisted for Special Needs Award
Date: 04 September 2008
Local business woman, Sue Gascoyne, is attracting national recognition for Playscope – her range of innovative children’s resources. Back in March she received a Special Recognition British Female Inventor and Innovator Award. Now two of her resources have been shortlisted for the nasen Inclusive Primary Resources Awards. In their sixteenth year, the nasen Awards represent excellence and best practice in books and resources for special educational needs.
The Playscope Complete Set and Playscope Fidget Floor Mats are competing against just three other resources for the coveted award of Inclusive Primary Resources – an accolade in itself. “It’s been a whirlwind year from exhibiting at several national events, being featured in numerous educational resource catalogues, a nomination as Trainer of the Year in the Nursery World Awards, and now shortlisting for the nasen Awards.”
The winners of the nasen awards will be announced on the 16th October at the Russell Hotel in London with Awards being presented by Minister for Education, Lord Adonis. As Sue Gascoyne states “This recognition is brilliant but what really matters is the effect these resources are having on children’s lives. The Fidget Floor Mats are actually changing children’s life opportunities by helping children to focus, listen and concentrate, and enabling teachers to teach. The beautiful and natural Treasure Baskets, made from organic Norfolk willow, Activity Cards and Sensac, which make up the Complete Set are being successfully used with children of all ages and abilities to cover all areas of the curriculum in a fun and child-centred way.”
The national publicity doesn’t end there as the resources are also being trialled in Baby Barns nursery in Ardleigh for Nursery World – the national magazine for early years practitioners, to be reviewed in a forthcoming feature.
A review of Sue’s resources is also appearing in Special Children – another national publication.
For further details of the Playscope resources please visit www.playtoz.co.uk
