A Regional Biotechnology Enterprise Hub
Cambridge has an active and integrated biotech networking community, making this a vibrant and stimulating environment in which to develop new bioventures. BBT is an active member of ERBI, now located at the campus, and a member of the Cambridge Network. It also plays an active role in organising events to bring together the full spectrum of stakeholders involved in the roadmap through which blue skies research is commercialised into viable business propositions.
In April 2003 EEDA awarded BBT a £700k grant to operate one of the two pilot Enterprise Hubs in the Eastern Region. The Hub formed Babraham BioConcepts, a technology accelerator, to promote the translation of innovative research findings into investment-ready business propositions. This led to a second award, where BBT was asked to manage a £K450 grant in conjunction with ERBI and Medlilink East, to provide a regulatory and finance advisory service (FRAS). BioConcepts subsequently became BBT's Technology Development Laboratory and Aitua Ltd.
BBT established Aitua Ltd. to provide the infrastructure and finance to catalyse the technology transfer process. Aitua works closely with entrepreneurs and scientists to create and nurture emerging companies mainly deriving from the Babraham Institute or locating to the Babraham Research Campus. It provides seed and early-round funding, injects specific expertise and provides access to BBT’s facilities that promote the successful development of fledgling companies.
