Business Growth Consultant joins acceleration hub

The Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub welcomes Sean Devane as a

Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bath

The Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub (AEBAH) is a three year programme which provides bespoke business support to startups and SMEs who have a connection with the West of England. The programme is funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and offers 12 hours of business support which could lead onto research opportunities with expert academics through the University of Bath. It is partnered with the University of Bath and the business incubator, SETsquared Bath.

Previously the role was held by Brian Prescott who earlier this year took over as Centre Director at the University of Bath’s SETsquared Innovation Centre. 

Sean has over 25 years of experience in Product Development and Innovation, working internationally with start-ups, SMEs and global companies. 

SEAN DEVANE, JOINS SETSQUARED BATH AS ENTREPRENEUR IN RESIDENCE FOR THE ADVANCED ENGINEERING BUSINESS ACCELERATION HUB

After graduating with a 1st Class BA Hons degree in Industrial Design Engineering and a spell developing consumer products for a global Taiwanese electronics company, Sean joined Kinneir Dufort in 1992 a Bristol based product development and innovation consultancy. He progressed from designer to Business Director and shareholder responsible for the company’s overall business strategy, sales & marketing and business growth. 

With experience in developing international marketing plans and successfully exporting professional design and engineering services across Europe, America and Asia. Success in the area was recognised in 2015 winning the Queen’s award for International Trade. 

As part of a succession plan, Sean helped secure private equity funding and in 2016 through a MBO transitioned ownership of the company to a new management team. 

Since 2016 Sean has been consulting, coaching and mentoring for a range of businesses in the region, covering strategy, positioning, product & capability development, sales, business development and team management. 

Sean is also active with the regions start-up community and incubators, including FutureSpace and SETsquared Bristol where he mentors and regularly take part in business review panels.

Discussing his new role Sean Devane, says,

 “As a business growth consultant I enjoy helping start-ups develop and grow. I’m very excited to be joining the SETsquared Bath Innovation Centre, which is recognised as a world leading business incubator and enterprise partnership.  As Entrepreneur in Residence for the Advanced Engineering Business Acceleration Hub I’m looking forward to supporting high-growth businesses across the region”

SETsquared Centre Director, Brian Prescott, goes onto say, 

“I am delighted to welcome Sean to the team and join the other Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) at SETsquared Bath.  Sean has an enormous amount of experience that will be of huge benefit in helping to attract and support early stage businesses engaging with the programme.  There are many benefits for participants of the AEBAH - not only the bespoke, fully funded business support but opportunities to collaborate with world class academics at the University of Bath and the IAAPS  propulsion centre, where support will soon be available to help business acceleration and SME growth through their new £70 million research and innovation facility.” 

Brian continues to say,

“A lot of businesses have had to adapt under the present circumstances, as has SETsquared Bath - but we have lots of exciting plans with the future launch of our new virtual acceleration membership programmes.  Sean has joined at a defining moment for the business incubation landscape; a challenging but also exciting time and myself and the SETsquared Bath team look forward to working with him.”

For any businesses interested in learning more about the AEBAH, information is available on the website, as well as the application form to apply for the support:  https://www.aeb-hub.org/