About Us: What is an Enterprise Hub?

Enterprise Hubs are a major SEEDA initiative designed to improve the start-up and survival rate of knowledge-based companies.

An Enterprise Hub is a network of people and organisations who come together to provide an integrated, and structured, incubation process for knowledge-based entrepreneurs and young companies with high growth potential. Its primary purpose is to produce more innovative companies that translate the region's knowledge base into high value added economic activity.

The essential elements of this network are:

• A University (or other research institution) with intellectual property that has commercial potential.
• Public and private sector business support providers who deliver the mentoring, specialist advice, access to investors and networking components of the incubation programme.
• An Innovation Centre providing high quality, flexible workspace and a range of support services for young companies on ‘easy-in-out' terms.

The network is chaired by a non-executive, private sector Business Champion, Mr Ian Odgers and facilitated by a full-time Hub Director, Mr David Butler. Canterbury's Enterprise Hub is part of the Enterprise Unit of the University of Kent.