The University of Bath held the city’s first networking event for the automotive industry and the launch of AEBAH

Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub (AEBAH) Launch Night

The Automotive Industry Network event took place on Wednesday 13 March at the Apex City of Bath Hotel.

STAGE IS SET FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY EVENT

The event – organised by the University of Bath’s Research and Innovation Services (RIS) - was well attended by a range of individuals, businesses and organisations operating both regionally and nationally in the automotive sector and brought together industry and academia to address the latest challenges in the sector.

Attendees had the opportunity to hear presentations from a number of sector leaders including Director of Innovation at McLaren Applied Technologies, Mark Mathieson; Professor of Automotive Propulsion at the University of Bath, Chris Brace; and Innovation Director of SETsquared, Simon Bond, as well as take part in a variety of workshops and panel discussions.

Dean of the University’s Faculty of Engineering & Design, Professor Gary Hawley provided an update on the latest progress and the vision and priorities of the University of Bath’s new £60 million automotive propulsion research facility – the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) – scheduled to open in late 2020 at the Bristol & Bath Science Park.

PROFESSOR GARY HAWLEY DEAN OF ENGINEERING & DESIGN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BATH GIVES AN OVERVIEW OF THE UNIVERSITY’S FORTHCOMING INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED AUTOMOTIVE PROPULSION SYSTEMS (IAAPS)

A number of vehicles were on display including the IAAPS team’s BMW i8 test vehicle, and having recently returned from representing the UK at Formula Student Electric China, Team Bath Racing Electric (TBRe) 2018’s racing car was also on show.

TEAM BATH RACING ELECTRIC (TBRE) 2018’S RACING CAR

There was also an exhibition area whereby attendees were able to showcase their work and network throughout the day.

Professor Chris Brace, said:

This event was designed to identify opportunities to help small, dynamic companies to get to the next stage in their growth as well as assisting more established companies to access the innovative ideas that they need to maintain and develop their business.

Director of Innovation at McLaren Applied Technologies and event keynote speaker, Mark Mathieson, commented:

This type of event is very important, bringing people together to discuss some really significant topics facing the automotive sector. 

No-one should underestimate the size of the challenge we are facing. It is widely accepted the automotive industry is going to change more in the next 10 years than it has in the past 100 years so there is an awful lot of things for us to face up to, and collaborating and sharing knowledge is key to that.

The event which was funded by the EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) was followed by a drinks reception to officially launch the Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub (AEBAH), the latest enterprise hub to be set up by the University of Bath in partnership with SETsquared, the world’s number one university business accelerator.

Talking about the business acceleration hub and launch event, Brian Prescott, Entrepreneur in Residence for the Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub, says,

“Through the AEBAH I’ve been establishing networks and connections over the last few months and have already facilitated introductions for industry related startups to the University of Bath. 

There was a very positive feeling in the room and to be able to invite companies we are already engaging with along with key stakeholders who are supporting the programme to officially launch the programme with us was a great way to highlight our commitment and for attendees to network. 

The advanced engineering business acceleration hub is open to businesses who are developing innovative materials, products, services or processes the AEBAH offers invaluable support either through tailored workshops or business mentoring. The programme provides 12 hours of free support and the possibility to collaborate with researchers at the University of Bath. The sectors include Automotive, Aerospace, Defence, Maritime, Energy and Space and is open to Founders or Managers of early stage and high growth SMEs. 

It is really simple to apply, the main requirement being that the business is already a registered company - our links with academics and researchers at the University of Bath can provide collaborate opportunities that are invaluable for any ambitious early stage business. ”

DELEGATES AND STAKEHOLDERS ENJOY A DRINKS RECEPTION TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH THE ADVANCED ENGINEERING BUSINESS ACCELERATION HUB

The AEBAH is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to create jobs and growth in the region by helping 130 innovative companies in the West of England achieve their potential. The hub will also connect companies with academics at the University of Bath for knowledge exchange, research and expertise, as well as business-university research partnerships. The programme is open to all SME’s and startups in the advanced engineering sector, and will be of particular interest to companies interesting in engaging with IAAPS.

ANAPHITE LTD, JUST ONE OF THE COMPANIES WHO ARE ALREADY RECEIVING BUSINESS SUPPORT THROUGH THE ADVANCED ENGINEERING BUSINESS ACCELERATION HUB

Innovation Director of SETsquared, Simon Bond, added:

I am really excited to have launched the University’s Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub. The automotive sector is hugely exciting and interesting so events like this bringing together businesses, industrial collaborators and researchers is a great opportunity to identify how best to work out a roadmap for innovation and how we can better work together in the future.

SIMON BOND, INNOVATION DIRECTOR, SETSQUARED, HIGHLIGHTS HOW SETSQUARED CAN HELP TURN INNOVATION INTO THRIVING BUSINESSES AND DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH