Digital Business Acceleration Hubs (DBAH) - Consultant Hub Manager

The University are currently tendering for a consultant Hub Manager to deliver elements of the Digital Business Acceleration Hubs (DBAH) programme (http://www.setsquared.co.uk/dbah). DBAH, which is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and being led by University of Surrey with delivery through the SETsquared partnership, focuses on digital small and medium sized enterprises (SME's) in the Enterprise M3 region. You will be based at the Basingstoke digital hub with extensive travel to the other hubs in Guildford, Farnborough and Woking and some further travel to the SETsquared centres across the South East of England. A self-starter with energy, genuine enthusiasm and empathy for the world of start-up companies will be essential qualities for anyone applying, together with a well-established and proven track record in the field, especially with knowledge of the Digital technology sectors. You will work alongside the SETsquared central team and existing incubation team at the University of Surrey, to build on the pilot hub in Basingstoke established in 2015 and deliver a programme of entrepreneurship programmes across the hubs in the region. The role will require building a vibrant business network, identifying and selecting companies for the hub, running high quality networking events and entrepreneurship programmes and helping companies identify investment and funding opportunities (e.g. Innovate UK). Part of the European Economic Regional Development Funded programme for the Enterprise M3 Local Economic Partnership with focus on developing the digital economy in the region. The programme aims to connect early stage technology start-ups with resources and industry in the area including the 5G innovation centre testbed in Basingstoke and at the University of Surrey. To this end an understanding of the 4G/5G technology and sector is desirable. SETsquared is the long standing enterprise partnership between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. Its incubator programme has been ranked as the number 1 University business incubator globally (UBI Index, 2015). Whether it's an entrepreneur with an idea or a very early stage, high-tech Start-up Company - the mission is to help turn an innovative spark into a thriving, commercial business. Over the last decade it has helped over 1,000 high-tech start-ups to develop and raise more than a £1bn of investment. Independent research carried out by Warwick Economics estimates the economic impact of SETsquared member companies to be £3.8bn over this period, with the creation of 9,000 jobs and that these companies will go on to deliver a further £7.3bn of impact to the UK economy in the decade ahead. This consultant Hub Manager will help support these services and expand them to other locations and organisations across Southern England and it a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to help drive innovation and growth across the region.