Belfast Met Business Incubation Units – Spotlight on Success

Tuesday 21 February 2023

Belfast Met’s business incubation suite is a unique, modern hub which promotes innovation and startup, as well as facilitating the needs of established organisations. Situated at our e3 building, Springvale Campus, is a creative and collaborative environment and is strategically placed to add real value to businesses by providing the right amount and type of trusted support, at the right time.

The process of incubation is much more than bricks and mortar. It provides synergy and support for entrepreneurs and encourages peer-to-peer sharing of successes and challenges with business owners facing similar issues. As a hub for business resources, e3 connects clients to programmes, funding opportunities, and entrepreneurial resources that accelerate growth and profitability.

At e3 our goal is to build a culture where businesses learn from each other and collaborate on projects. We are not just about the space but developing people to gain results; enhance enterprise and promote innovative practices for business development.

One of our much-valued tenants is Deliberate Learning, an all-female team running a number of successful education programmes across Northern Ireland. Deliberate Learning commenced their tenancy at e3 in 2021 and have gone from strength to strength.

Deliberate Learning receive funding from a range of government and industry bodies, for example the Department for the Economy, the Enthuse Charitable Trust, STEM Learning, Goldman Sachs and Amazon. Dr Gill Humes is the director of the company which was established in 2018 to focus on teacher CPD. In 2021 Dr Anna Monaghan was appointed as the STEM Ambassador Programme lead managing a regional STEM volunteering community of nearly 2000 individuals. The STEM Ambassador Programme is a national initiative which aims to inspire young people into STEM Careers. Melissa Nugent joined the growing team in 2022 and co-ordinates the Nuffield Research Programme working with year 13 students to provide them with exciting placement opportunities. The team moto is ‘there’s STEM in everything’ and Deliberate Learning are always keen to connect with new people and organisations.

The company’s offices in the incubation suite at e3 have given Deliberate Learning an excellent location, trusted support and networking opportunities – all key requirements for a flourishing business.

‘As the company grew, we quickly needed to find suitable offices that were convenient and central, and we were delighted to find Belfast Met incubation units. We have enjoyed meeting the other businesses in the building and sharing ideas, and we appreciate the access to state-of-the-art training rooms for our courses and events. Along with free parking this has been an excellent place for our business to flourish.’ commented Dr Humes.

So what exactly does Business Incubation include at Belfast Met’s e3 building? We offer a range of flexible and affordable packages for individuals and organisations to take advantage of our first-class facilities.

There are nine modern, fully equipped business incubation units. Features include:-
• flexible easy in/easy out terms;
• free on site car parking
• 24/7 access to units;
• reception services during standard College office hours;
• modern shared kitchen facility for convenience
• discounted rates on the use of training rooms and specialist IT, Digital Media, Technology and Hospitality zones by arrangement
• Café Met and corporate hospitality service available on site
• access to a Business Development Executives for advice and signposting;
• opportunities for knowledge transfer and networking;
• access to student groups for live business projects

Whether you're a start-up company or an established organisation, our Commercial and Events team would love to hear from you. To find out why one of these unique & modern hubs would be the perfect solution for your business needs email: meet@belfastmet.ac.uk or telephone 028 9026 5046.

Tuesday 21 February 2023