AN £80,000 pioneering project for an “incubator” to foster a new generation of creation and digital businesses in the region is being launched in York today.

The initiative led by Science City York and funded by Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, will from April offer up to 18 of these start-ups their own workstations in the Phoenix Centre on the campus of York St John University for a year.

In that hexagonal building – a former National Health Service training suite – they will have access to specialist technical facilities and sector-specific business support, mentoring and training.

And it kicks off with a Business Plan Challenge, for which the prize for the first 18 will be free rent for the first six months and heavily subsidised rent for the next six months.

Co-ordinating the two-year pilot scheme is Heather Niven, Science City York’s Creative and IT & Digital Sector specialist.

She said: “Our aim is to create a centre of excellence – a think-tank of bright, innovative, young businesses for Science City York to champion, ultimately producing robust and adaptable companies able to progress into commercial space and develop further.”

Heather will steer the project with Professor Dianne Willcocks, the university’s vice-chancellor, Colin Parkin, head of facilities at York St John and Andy Gurnell, delivery services manager at Science City York.

Heather said: “The Phoenix Centre is fully expected to promote the region’s wider economic growth through the creative industries and builds on the specialisms and expertise of York St John University and Science City York’s technology networks.”

Prof Willcocks said: “York St John University is delighted to host Science City York’s Phoenix Centre.

“We have a long-standing reputation in the arts and links with a rich range of professional creative practice in the city and region.

“This collaboration with Science City is a significant opportunity to develop strong relationships between local business and education for the benefit of all.”

How to challenge for a workstation

SO HOW do you enter your creative, and IT-based start-up company, turning it into a rising Phoenix?

All you need to do is submit a business plan and bear in mind the words of Heather Niven who is overseeing the project: “Priority will be given to start-up companies displaying high levels of innovation, or who are looking to develop new creative technologies and which can demonstrate strong growth potential.

“Ideal candidates for Phoenix are those who have a great idea, yet lack experience and required resources to fully exploit the business potential of their concept or talent.”

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday, March 2.

For more information or to request an application pack, phone 01904 870055 or email heather.niven@york.gov.uk