Life sciences and technology companies boosted by new Nexus co-working space at Inverness Campus
A collaborative hub for life science and technology businesses officially opened in new premises yesterday.
Nexus has been designed to provide an innovative working environment to help companies across the region grow and develop.
It has expanded into Solasta House, the new life sciences building at Inverness Campus, after launching last year in nearby Aurora House.
The hot-desking, office and laboratory space is part of the Northern Innovation Hub, led by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) support and £11 million of UK government funding through the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
It is designed to encourage the cross pollination of ideas within the expanding sectors which employ more than 1800 people locally.
Demand for flexible office space is growing rapidly with research from Spaces showing that 53 per cent of professionals globally now work remotely for at least half of their working week as people begin to recognise that they are far more productive and successful in a dynamic working environment.
The new workspace was officially opened yesterday, with a business breakfast hosted by HIE.
Carroll Buxton interim chief executive at HIE, said: “Inverness and the Highlands is recognised as a key location for life sciences and technology businesses, with many companies investing in the region. Nexus is part of our long-term commitment to supporting these and other companies in the sector. It will build on previous success by creating new opportunities for business and collaboration.”
In attendance at the breakfast were some of the current occupants Aseptium, CorporateHealth International, 4c Engineering, AgileCadence, Capella IP, OrganLike, Interactive Health and Orbital Diagnostics who are already benefiting from the space.
Alan White, solutions architect at Interactive Health, said: “Nexus is the kind of space the industry needed.
“Other cities already have spaces like Nexus and it is great for the future of innovative companies in Inverness to have a high-quality space with collaborative opportunities and to be inspired by and work with other like-minded companies.
“The potential for collaboration is considerable and we have already begun to work with and share resources with fellow occupiers OrganLike and Aseptium.”
Companies relocating to Nexus will also benefit from a wealth of support and specialist advice.
Life sciences is important to the Highland economy with the sector typically delivering above average salaries, high levels of innovation and research and development which demand specialist financial investment.
For more about Nexus, email HIE development manager Claire Munro on claire.munro@hient.co.uk
