Fusion Hive gives a Preview of the Future of Business in the Tees Valley

Fusion Hive has opened its doors to creative and digital businesses from the region and beyond, giving an insight into the new hub of innovation in the Tees Valley.

Fusion Hive is a new business and innovation centre based at the heart of the Northshore regeneration area of Stockton-on-Tees. Creative and digital businesses were invited to Fusion Hive to have a look around the new building and also hear about some opportunities that Fusion Hive will give to business tenants.

With many of those present already signed up to join Fusion Hive this was an opportunity to see their new flexible workspace as physical construction of Fusion Hive approaches completion.

The design of Fusion Hive has the needs of ambitious technology enterprises at its core. Flexible individual workspaces and collaborative areas will help likeminded businesses interact, network and work together. The preview event then also gave the new tenants the opportunity to meet each other and begin to discuss how they could collaboratively work together to build each other’s businesses.

The three-storey Fusion Hive, a 36,000 sq ft facility, offers flexible working spaces for around 60 small and medium sized enterprises in the digital and scientific sectors.

Developed in association with Stockton Borough Council and managed by Teesside University, Fusion Hive will provide business tenants not only with high-spec business accommodation, but also access to business support services and specialist expertise along with potential funding opportunities.

Any business that takes up space at Fusion Hive will also benefit from Teesside University’s established business network, which will give tenants tremendous opportunities to help with the growth and development of their business.

Laura Woods, Director of Academic Enterprise at Teesside University said: “We’re at an exciting time for Fusion Hive. Now that it’s really taking shape, this event was an ideal opportunity for new and prospective tenants to experience being in this state-of-the-art building. Our first businesses are now getting to know each other and planning how they will use their new space. The companies interested in what Fusion Hive has to offer now have a real feel for the fantastic facilities it will provide for go-ahead businesses.”
Kristin Atkinson, Integrity Search, a Fusion Hive future tenant, said:
“We have been interested in Fusion Hive since we first heard of the plans and now to see an almost complete building and to get into our new workspace is really special for us at Integrity Search. We were wanting to relocate to a new home that will give our organisation an added inspiration to move onto the next level and seeing Fusion Hive now will certainly give us that emphasis. It was also great to meet some of the other Fusion Hive tenants, the way the building is designed really gives us the opportunity to work together and develop our businesses.”

Fusion Hive was developed by development Partner Muse Developments in conjunction with Teesside University and Stockton Borough Council and is being built on land owned by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), who have invested nearly £3million into the project. Fusion Hive construction was given the go-ahead following the receipt of £2.87m in investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is bringing over £300m into North East England to support innovation, enterprise and business support. It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase the productivity by £1.1bn per annum.

For further information about Fusion Hive and to see what potential opportunities Fusion Hive can give tenant businesses please contact us via email info.fusionhive.co.uk or call 01642 384400