History
The Sussex Innovation Centre (SInC) opened in May 1996 to provide support for the creation and growth of technology and knowledge based companies in Sussex. The Centre is a now thriving business environment for over 70 high growth companies.
The Innovation Centre was conceived as the flagship development of the 'Sussex Academic Corridor' (SAC). Formed in 1991 SAC is a unique collaboration between the public, academic and business sectors committed to harnessing the economic potential of the extensive education and research resources available in the Brighton and Lewes area.
Members of the Sussex Academic Corridor are:
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University of Sussex
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University of Brighton
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City College Brighton & Hove
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South Downs College
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Brighton & Hove City Council
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East Sussex County Council
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Lewes District Council
The original SInC building was funded through a capital investment from Brighton & Hove City Council (£1.4 million) and East Sussex County Council (£400,000). The University of Sussex provided the land and Seeboard provided £250,000 cash sponsorship. This 20,000 square foot facility has been provided free of capital charges to the Sussex Innovation Centre project. A University of Sussex Development Company.holds the building asset.
The Phase 2 building was completed in 2003, this provided a further 20,000 square feet. The building was debt funded by the University of Sussex (£2.5 million) plus a capital grant (£750,000) through the Brighton & Hove SRB programme.
Both buildings are managed by the Sussex Innovation Centre Management Company under the Directorship of Mike Herd.
In 2003 the University of Sussex acquired the controlling interest in SInC as part of its commercialisation and entrepreneurship programmes.
Since 1996 over 130 companies have been based at SInC - their cumulative revenue is now over £120 million; SInC companies currently employ over 400 people in the local area.
