New Anglia LEP is supporting British Science Week 2018 by highlighting the success stories of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) businesses within Norfolk and Suffolk.
This year’s British Science Week lasts from the 9th to the 18th of March and focuses on the theme of ‘Exploration and Discovery’, which the innovation of the region’s local businesses is well suited-to. Many of these businesses have been supported by the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative.
An example of the ingenuity found within our region is in Tropic Biosciences, an Agri-tech company based in the Norwich Research Park. They have been working on two projects that will have a positive impact on the local food and drink industry. One project aims to keep bananas fresh for longer and more resistant to disease through genome editing techniques to extend the banana’s ‘green phase’.
Another local business setting high standards for innovation is Iceni Diagnostics, who are working to revolutionise the way Avian Influenza is diagnosed and reduce the need for precautionary mass poultry culls. Iceni Diagnostics and Tropic Biosciences are two of the 660 life sciences business in Norfolk and Suffolk, who altogether provide 10,000 jobs to the local economy.
New Anglia LEP have also contributed £1.4m of Capital Growth funding towards the new £16m headquarters for Cefas (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). This will aim to safeguard 450 jobs, create 50 immediate subcontractor jobs and ensure the marine science leader’s presence in the region for the next 40 years.
If your business wants find out how to get support and funding, click here. Grants from the Eastern Agri-Tech Growth Initiative are also available to organisations looking to improve productivity and efficiency through investment in specialist equipment, new market and supply chain development and the application of Research and Development.
