Solihull science park inspiring next generation of entrepreneurs

The Blythe Valley Innovation Centre (BVIC) is operated by the University of Warwick Science Park (UWSP) on behalf of Solihull Council and is home to a community of companies, with a particular focus on innovation and technology.

As part of an initiative to inspire young people, UWSP, through BVIC, is running a ‘Life Ready Programme’ aimed at helping support students at local schools and colleges to understand what opportunities are available to them.

Members of the team and companies from the University of Warwick Science Park have taken part in events with Solihull Sixth Form College, Alderbrook School & Sixth Form and Coleshill Heath School.

Mark Tock, the COO of the Science Park, and Victoria Lynch, the Head of Commercial at the Science Park, delivered a workshop to students at Solihull Sixth Form College on entrepreneurship and provided an overview of the range of small and medium sized enterprises and the kind of work they undertake.

Staff from BVIC and from tenant company VGC also attended a careers fair at the college to give further insights on the wide variety of opportunities available.

At Alderbrook, Mark and Victoria spoke with a group of 14-year-olds about business and entrepreneurship – as well as the role of Science Parks – before supporting with mock interviews with students.

Victoria stayed on to support a careers fair and market and was joined by businesses from the University of Warwick Science Park to help showcase a range of opportunities in the region.

Ian McFarlane-Toms, who runs a series of business support programmes for the Science Park, earned high praise while delivering a session on business and innovation to pupils at Coleshill Heath Primary alongside colleagues Alison Westwood and Joseph Dadson.

At one point during his presentation, he was interrupted by a 10-year-old student who handed him a note which read “Ian you are awesome”!

Mark Tock said: “The Blythe Valley Innovation Centre makes a strong contribution to the regional economy as we’re home to more than 20 businesses, helping to develop high-tech and innovative companies of the future.

“We wanted to do even more in the local community to help give local young people a flavour of the different businesses and jobs that are on offer on their doorstep – and also to give them the belief that they can one day run a business of their own.

“This region has some incredible examples of entrepreneurism, with amazing, very recent stories such as Gymshark, Nourished, and Grenade that really resonate with young people.

“We wanted to bring it home to the students that the opportunity is there for anyone to start a business and that there is support out there to do it.

“Overall, between the team, we’ve engaged with more than 200 young people and we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed it although, also, only Ian had the compliment of being called awesome!”