Brunel University London’s enterprise support programme Co-Innovate is celebrating ten years of working with London’s smaller businesses. Since 2013, the programme has impacted the success of over 500 new and growing business ventures. Owners have had access to the academic expertise, innovation specialists, and students’ knowledge found within the university.
Jointly funded by Brunel University London, the Greater London Authority, and the European Regional Development Fund, Co-Innovate has provided support to the capital’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) through two programmes; Co-Innovate Journeys & Bridging the Gap.
One such company is Christian P Kerrigan Architecture (CKA) which was supported by Brunel student Louie Duncan to design a specialised fan filter configuration for those with limited space. OLUS is an air purifier which uses organic materials and a biophilic design to be sustainable, efficient, and compact.
Founder of CKA Christian Kerrigan has a history of successful collaborations with Brunel University’s Co-Innovate scheme. When he set up his company, he knew he wanted to continue to encourage students, and to inspire them.
He says: “We are a design and research-led practice, so bringing a Brunel student in-house with continuing support from Co-Innovate was a natural next step. What I like about working with Brunel is that we get to a good place with the students and it’s always an exciting journey. I hope this will continue.”
Earlier this year several London companies benefitted from being short-listed to take part in the Co-Innovate Business Investment Accelerate programme, and to present to a panel of investors.
Naima Omasta-Milsom, Co-Innovate Innovation Director said at the time: “It’s a tough environment for small business owners, especially when it comes to finding the funds to grow. That’s why Co-Innovate joined forces with leaders in the field to build the knowledge and capacity of London’s owner managers to have the right approach to investment.”
Professor Vanja Garaj comments: “I have been the Co-Innovate Project Leader since 2018 and I am enormously proud of the commitment shown by the Co-Innovate team in shaping and delivering our activities since 2013. To have worked with over 500 ambitious London companies like Pet Instincts is a great achievement. Brunel University London will continue to be available where academic rigour and student enthusiasm together make a massive difference to a firm’s success.”
Pro-Vice Chancellor Professor Geoff Rodgers adds: “We would not have been able to deliver Co-Innovate on our own. Since 2013 we have built relationships with banks such as NatWest and Santander, with the Greater London Authority and with the west London Borough Councils. We have drawn on the expertise of alumni entrepreneurs, the Central Research Laboratory, venture capitalists through the recent Business Investment Accelerator, and Brunel’s Entrepreneur Hub. We are proud of our achievements in partnership with award-winning London companies, and co-ordinated by the work of a great Brunel Co-Innovate team.”
About Co-Innovate
Jointly funded by Brunel University London and the European Regional Development Fund, Co-Innovate provides support to London-based small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups for new product, service and process innovation. Connecting businesses to the academic expertise, innovation specialists and knowledge resources found within Brunel University London. This is supplied through two programmes; Co-Innovate Journeys & BRIDGING the GAP.
Co-Innovate Journeys provides support to London-based SMEs with academic expertise and research practices at Brunel University London. The project provides the tools and support necessary to help your business innovate, differentiate and compete successfully in the market through collaborative projects with academics and students.
Bridging the Gap supports early stage London SME’s to grow and reach their business goals, Our goal is to connect businesses with specialist expertise, mentors and the academic resources of Brunel University London.