A SENSE of business “optimism and opportunity” is being felt as York Science Park welcomes three new start-up ventures.

The Science Park’s dedicated early stage business accommodation Springboard has signed up a trio of new residents in the form of a company registration agent, a software company specialising in the education sector and a company providing innovative IT solutions and support for SMEs.

Tracey Smith, managing director of York Science Park, based in Heslington, said: “We have had a very strong start to 2015 with a continuous flow of inquiries for our start-up space, Springboard.

“There is a real sense of optimism and opportunity around at the moment and it’s great to see these three entrepreneurial businesses start life at York Science Park where I am sure they will make the most of the support and networks we offer.”

John Benson chose Springboard for his venture AtomStream, which he has set up after more than 20 years in the IT industry in London.

The business provides IT solutions for SMEs ranging from IT support through to email, telephones, broadband, consultancy and hardware supply.

Mr Benson said: “We chose to base ourselves at Springboard as it allowed us to start up a new business with minimal capital investment.

“This has meant we can invest in taking on more staff, which we otherwise would not have been able to do until the business was larger.”

Another of the new residents is Superformation, a company registration agency based on a software programme developed by the business’s founder Martin Hall, which allows anyone starting a business to incorporate a company quickly so they can start trading from day one.

The third new start-up taking space at Springboard is Tivoli IT, which provides locally developed software for sport in the education sector.

Targeted specifically at school sports organisers, the company offers a product called ‘PEresults’, which is a competition management tool designed for school sport to minimize administration time for staff involved in arranging and managing competitive school sport.