Innovation Forss
New Park along with HIE Caithness and Sutherland have recently launched a new initiative designed to support entrepreneurship and fledgling business ideas in Caithness. ‘Innovation Forss’, based at Forss Business and Technology Park, aims to encourage both new business start-ups and the growth of existing companies in the area. It is also hoped that the project will also attract firms with growth potential to the county and help counter the major jobs rundown at Dounreay.
Innovation Forss encompasses a "business incubator" where individuals access office space and specialist advice to accelerate the process of setting up a company, whilst avoiding common pitfalls. In addition advice is given on business planing, product development, networking opportunities and accessing funding.
Another key part of the scheme is the "Hatchery" – a drop-in programme which allows people still in employment to develop their own business ideas. Individuals will be mentored and will have access to "hot desks" from which they can operate. Access to the Business and Technology Park’s wider resources and facilities is also available.
As part of the initial rollout of Innovation Forss an 'Innovation Forum' is being established, to help networking and collaborative working between local companies and to link in potential inward investment and technology transfer opportunities.
www.iforss.com
Project part financed by the European Union
