Photonics

Photonics is a high growth sector worth over £182 billion worldwide and the Heart of England is the major UK research and development base for photonics. The Photonics Cluster at Birmingham Science Park Aston has worked successfully with over 600 companies, helping them find routes to photonics technologies, and routes to funding and finance.

The last five years has seen extraordinary activity in materials and systems R&D in the photonics industry. Regional heavyweights such as QinetiQ and Ericsson have several hundred people working on photonics systems and hardware. The numbers of smaller companies, university spin-outs and new start-ups have also grown rapidly. Aston, Birmingham, Keele and Warwick universities all have significant activity in photonics research.

The reason photonics companies and research institutions are booming in the Heart of England is because of the unique combination of our central location, low cost base, high skill base, experience and support packages that make the region an excellent base for photonics companies. The Heart of England provides easy access to the UK’s 60 million, and the European Union’s 499 million consumers. We’re at the centre of the UK’s rail and road network, with Birmingham International Airport offering daily direct flights to the USA, Middle East & Asia as well as all main European business cities.

The Heart of England has a whole host of organisations conducting cutting edge research into the area of Photonics which will take this area forward in the future. A key group conducting this research are the region’s universities on areas ranging from optical communications, photo-responsive polymers and non-contact metrology to researching cancer research using advanced infra red light sources and photonics in forensic science.

In addition other regional companies are carrying out research into:

• Quantum Cryptography for secure communications;

• 3D camera technology, millimetre wave imagers, micro & nano technology, Complex Optical Structures for optical free-space communications;

• Photonics technology enhancing the efficiency of internal combustion engines;

• Photonics technology to monitor integrity of buildings and other structures;

• LED lighting for film & HDV photography, use of LEDs in civic and amenity lighting, architectural lighting, large area displays.

• The Photonics Cluster (UK) at Birmingham Science Park Aston is a national centre of excellence in photonics and is a business network dedicated to supporting the optoelectronics industry in the UK. The centre has seven fully equipped laboratories providing an extended space to help companies overcome technical barriers.

• The R&D Collaborative Partner Programme (CPP) aims to bring industry and academic members together, strengthening R&D projects.

• Aston University’s Photonics Research Group has more than 50 active researchers and is one of the largest of its kind in the UK. It has a world-recognised record of achievement in nonlinear photonics, high-speed optical transmission and processing, in fibre optic components and in fibre optic sensors.

There is a unique set of support packages available to assist Photonic businesses in the region:

• The Photonics Cluster at Birmingham Science Park Aston is able to signpost routes to appropriate funding and to assist with the application process. The Photonics Cluster provides a free service to its members to assist in building partnerships and writing applications for funding, particularly in the area of technology research and development.

• Bridge to Growth offers an efficient, low risk and low cost entry route to the UK market via the Heart of England. It takes care of the nuts and bolts of setting up a UK Limited company for free which can take as little as five days. It also helps you set up a UK bank account, and register for VAT. It also offers free tax and financial advice, free legal advice and free market data.

• Entrepreneurs for the Future Centre is a dedicated facility helping the next generation of entrepreneurs to get started and achieve their commercial aspirations. This innovative project will encourage collaborations and knowledge transfers between universities and businesses, generate new graduate-based companies and promote investment in new high tech and high growth ventures.

• Graduate Advantage assists companies seeking to recruit graduates in the West Midlands. Businesses can benefit from free front-end recruitment services; flexible, low cost recruitment solution lasting from 4 weeks to 12 months (full or part-time); a subsidy to pay your new recruit (subject to application); and free management and leadership training.

The Heart of England Inward Investment team offers the following range of free and confidential services to international and UK based companies that are considering investing, expanding or pursuing other business opportunities within the region;

• Land and property searches and advice

• Tailored investment proposals addressing specific information requirements

• Regional visit programmes

• Introductions to providers of business and professional services

• Introductions to universities and research and technology providers

• Information on potential sources of financial assistance and other forms of support

Find out how well connected the Heart of England is.

Find out why the Heart of England is a great place to move your company.

Find out what else the Heart of England has to offer.

Find out more about Photonics and how easy it is to move your business here - call us on +44 (0)121 380 3500 or email.

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