EPIC invests further to drive innovation in South West UK

Date Announced: 04 Nov 2019

Torbay, Devon, UK -- The Electronics and Photonics Innovation Centre (EPIC) in Torbay is now home to over £1m worth of specialist equipment. EPIC’s Prototyping Suite provides a class-leading facility and technology which supports innovation. The most recent addition to the suite is a benchtop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) from Nikon. The new system, which includes a SEM, microscopes and the latest software, will allow users to fully inspect their products and supply their customers professional images and reports. 

Wayne Loschi, EPIC Centre Director, said: “The Nikon System is a fantastic resource for our tenants and will certainly complement the facilities available at the Microscopy Centre in Plymouth. “There are lots of other items that will be brought into EPIC in the upcoming weeks. These will further enhance the capability of the centre and will continue to attract businesses from the wider electronics sector.”

EPIC continues to work with strategic partners to bring more equipment and technology to the centre to support tenants and EPIC Members. This supports collaboration between the businesses, helping to drive innovation and the emergence of new technologies in a thriving sector.

Councillor Swithin Long, Torbay Council Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Tourism and Housing, said: “EPIC provides excellent facilities for hi tech businesses in Torbay and beyond. The centre provides the ideal environment to support growth through collaboration. The new facility will no doubt attract early stage tech businesses as well as growing innovative tech companies, supporting Torbay’s Economic Strategy.”

EPIC has already welcomed three businesses into the centre with new tenants set to be unveiled later this month.

About EPIC

EPIC is managed by TDA, a trading name of Torbay Economic Development Company Limited. As a Centre of Excellence, EPIC will provide the ideal environment for both small and large technology companies within the sector. The Centre will provide opportunities for collaboration, R&D, design, new product development. The facility has established links with academia and research institutes, and other European clusters as well as looking to develop global partnerships. Companies wishing to benefit from the world class facilities at the White Rock site, should contact the Centre Director Wayne Loschi on wayne.loschi@tda.uk.net.

Funding

EPIC secured £3m from the Heart of the South West LEP’s Growth Deal funding. In addition to this,£1.375M has been secured from the European Regional Development Fund, and £1.1m Coastal Communities Funding. This funding supports a £2.5m investment in the Centre made by Torbay Council.

Heart of the South West LEP’s Growth Deal

The Heart of the South West LEP’s total Growth Deal is worth £590m; including £239m from Government and £351m match funding. Over the lifetime of the Growth Deal: 2015 – 2025; HotSW LEP estimates the investment will create up to 22,504 new jobs and 16,815 new homes.

Local Growth Fund

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone. That’s why by 2021 Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

European Regional Development Fund

The project has received £1.375M of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is the Managing Authority for European Regional Development Fund.  Established by the European Union, the European Regional Development Fund helps local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support innovation, businesses, create jobs and local community regenerations. For more information visithttps://www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

Contact

Electronics and Photonics
Innovation Centre
White Rock Business Park
Waddeton Close, Paignton
Devon TQ4 7RZ
UK

Tel. +44 (0)1803 714714

E-mail: epic@tda.uk.net

Web Site: www.epic-centre.co.uk