The new £12 million iHub innovation centre in Derby is to welcome its first tenants in the coming weeks.
iHub is part of the 100-acre manufacturing-focused commercial and technology site Infinity Park run by Connect Derby.
It contains office space and workshops and aims to support start-ups and small- and medium-sized businesses in the rail, aerospace and automotive supply industries.
You can take a virtual tour of the new facility here.
Among the first tenants are Serjeants, a patent and trademark firm which will move from Leicester, and Canadian company Sciemetric, which aims to improve assembly line processes.
“We’re delighted to see the completion of the iHub and look forward to welcoming a diverse range of businesses from across the region,” said Martin Rawson, deputy leader of Derby City Council and cabinet member for planning, environment and regeneration.
“Our new tenants have chosen the iHub because of its strategic location in the region, the hi-specification office and workshop accommodation and state-of-the-art equipment and business support services.”
The facility received funding from the Regional Growth Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Derby City Council and the University of Derby.
There is also a Fab Lab which can be used for prototyping and also has virtual reality, 3D printing and surface microscope equipment technology.
Eddie Kirby, director of The Making Rooms CiC, introduced the Fab Labs concept and has been instrumental to its growth across the UK.