Ten businesses embark on Discovery Park’s ‘Discovery Spark’ programme

In a bid to enable future success and growth, ten entrepreneurial life science and technology businesses have begun the immersive Discovery Spark programme, with a prize package worth over £50,000 up for grabs.

Based in Sandwich, Kent,  Discovery Park is a leading science and innovation campus offering a range of impressive facilities for dynamic start-ups through to global corporations. Now in its third iteration, the Discovery Spark programme equips early stage life science and technology businesses with the skills and tools to lay healthy foundations in their business, refine their commercial strategy and achieve investor readiness.

The ten entrepreneurial businesses securing a coveted spot on this cohort and looking to advance their organisation are:

  • AminoPlus
  • Bioflares
  • Gutsee
  • Peachy Healthcare
  • Phlow
  • RS & RS Scientific
  • Simplex Molecular
  • SmileScaff
  • UltraBiOmics
  • We Are Eden

This group of businesses spans biotechnology and healthcare, each focused on innovative solutions to advance healthcare and scientific research through novel technologies.

The free, six-week programme helps early-stage companies grow by leveraging  Discovery Park’s top facilities, people and networks. Candidates gain valuable insights from industry experts and successful founder ambassadors, exchange experiences with fellow founders, and build meaningful connections.

The experience culminates in a competitive pitch day to showcase the skills gained to investors, and after being scored, the winning business will receive a prize package worth over £50,000. This package includes one year of free lab or office space at state-of-the-art Discovery Park, plus wrap-around business support and dedicated mentoring from a series of companies. 

Discovery Park’s Head of Innovation, Renos Savva, who leads the Discovery Spark programme, said: “We are just at the start of this programme and already the energy and enthusiasm of this new cohort has been tremendous. Together with industry experts we’ll mentor the group and cover essential topics such as intellectual property, startup legalities, branding, financial planning, ESG, data security, and regulatory compliance. 

“We’re equipping these businesses for future success and  I look forward to working alongside them to help them harness their innovations and flourish in the market.”

Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park, added: “Discovery Spark is building a legacy in our industry. Previous winners include BugBiome which harnesses the power of skin microbiome to create effective, long-lasting pest repellents, and Canterbury menopause care provider Minter Hormone Health who are both going from strength to strength. It’s exciting to see what will come next and we’re proud to play our part in supporting a thriving life sciences community.” 

From concept to commercialisation: Why coworking labs are essential for Life Science startups

As an early-stage life science startup, you’re navigating a landscape filled with potential yet marked by challenges. For founders transitioning from academia or spinning out from a university, the journey from concept to commercialisation is both exciting and daunting. A key decision you’ll face is where to establish your operations. While university labs can be a great starting point, they often limit growth potential and make attracting investment difficult. This is where coworking labs come in – offering a dynamic, collaborative environment that not only supports innovation but also strengthens your commercial appeal.

Why coworking labs matter

Coworking labs are more than just shared spaces, they are incubators of innovation and growth. For early-stage life science startups, these spaces provide several key advantages:

1. Investor appeal: Startups in professional labs are often seen as more commercially viable than those based in universities, which can often be perceived as research projects. Investors are more likely to back companies operating in professional, supportive environments. Moving to a coworking lab positions your business as a serious commercial venture and makes it more attractive to potential backers.

2. Cost-Effectiveness: Setting up a lab from scratch can be financially overwhelming. Coworking labs offer access to high-quality equipment and facilities without the significant upfront investment, enabling startups to focus resources on research and development rather than infrastructure.

3. Access to expertise and resources: Being part of a larger ecosystem offers startups invaluable access to resources and expertise. Coworking labs often partner with universities and industry experts, giving businesses access to advanced research facilities, academic support, and technical advice. Look for coworking spaces that also offer access to additional business support, mentoring, and growth programmes, as these elements are crucial in helping startups transition from concept to commercialisation.

4. Fostering Community : Collaborative environments are vital for innovation. These spaces bring together entrepreneurs, fostering the exchange of ideas, partnerships, and collaboration that can drive growth. The role of the founder can be lonely and co-working spaces provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning – and a sounding board for your ideas!

5. Flexibility and Growth: Startups need the flexibility to grow at their own pace. Many coworking labs offer flexible rental agreements that allow businesses to scale operations without the risk of outgrowing their space too soon. As your company expands, these labs often provide the necessary infrastructure to support larger operations, making your growth journey easier.

CoLab at Discovery Park: The ideal launchpad

Located in the thriving life science community of Discovery Park, CoLab is specifically designed for early-stage life science companies. It offers a CAT 2 lab with flexible bench space and comprehensive specialist equipment, as well as access to advanced research facilities and academic support through its partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University. Additionally, CoLab provides access to Discovery Park’s on-site Barclays Eagle Lab, which not only offers access to professional meeting rooms but also tailored business support services and investor readiness programmes –helping you to work in your business and on your business simultaneously.

One of the standout features of CoLab is its six-month free membership for eligible businesses. This offer is a game-changer for startups, providing a cost-free period to focus on advancing research and preparing for commercialisation without financial strain. During this time, you can fully leverage the lab’s resources and support network to transform your innovative ideas into investor-ready propositions.

Conclusion

For early-stage life science founders, the journey from concept to commercialisation is filled with both challenges and opportunities. By choosing a coworking lab like CoLab at Discovery Park, you not only gain access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert support but also position your business in a professional, investor-friendly environment. With flexible offerings, collaborative spaces, and comprehensive business support, CoLab provides the ideal first step in derisking your innovation and setting the stage for long-term success.

 

For more information about the CoLab click here.

Agri Tech Mission to the UK showcases opportunities for Dutch companies to grow their business in Kent

Locate in Kent and Growing Kent & Medway welcomed industry leaders, academics and innovators from across the UK and the Netherlands to the county on the 20th September to discuss opportunities for future trade collaboration and innovation.

The UK’s thriving Agri-tech sector covers a broad range of categories from consumer-based apps and services, food processing and sustainable packaging to farming systems and research into the next generation of food and beverages.

Kent was the final stop of a three-day Agri Tech Mission, organised by the British Embassy in The Hague and the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade with delegates touring key Agri-tech regions of excellence across the UK.

This important trade mission set out to show the sizeable opportunity for Dutch companies in the Agri-tech sphere to grow their business by investing or increasing their investment in the UK, as well as highlighting the very latest UK technological innovations seeking to address challenges including climate change.

In Kent, that included a tour of NIAB’s East Malling site, a world-class centre of excellence for applied research and innovation in commercial horticulture. This introduced delegates to research projects using AI and machine learning for the early detection and prevention of pests and diseases in orchards and vineyard.  Another project on show is using new technologies to increase yields in strawberry production.

At Discovery Park in Sandwich, delegates toured the labs of two Agri-Tech businesses located at the science park campus. These included Harmoniz Seeds, which recently opened a new demonstration greenhouse in the. Netherlands and research and experimental development biotechnology business, Ventera Bio.

Nick Fenton, CEO Locate in Kent, said: “This was an opportunity to showcase Kent and Medway as a key region for food and drink innovation for the UK and to build new connections for future collaboration and investment.

“We were able to share how Kent and Medway is making a significant contribution to a British success story, supporting a food and drink sector that adds £104.4 billion to the UK economy.  That story is built on strong heritage and partnership – and there’s much more to come.”

Dr. Nikki Harrison, Director for Growing Kent and Medway, said: “Through this Mission, we were able to showcase the sizeable investment opportunities for Agri-tech businesses in Kent and Medway.

“As well as being home to some of the largest horticultural producers in the UK, our cluster of cutting-edge research facilities and specialists, funding and business support means our region is an attractive option for innovative businesses looking to grow.”

Chiara Poulteney, Senior Investment Advisor, British Embassy, The Hague, said: “The Department for Business and Trade is thrilled to have spearheaded this AgriTech mission from the Netherlands to Kent, a region with deep historical and economic ties to the Dutch.  As key innovators in sustainable agriculture and horticulture, both the Netherlands and the ‘Garden of England’ have long recognised the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of food production.

“The Netherlands is a leader in sustainable agricultural technologies, such as precision farming, water management, and greenhouse efficiency, and Kent has embraced these technologies through partnerships, research collaborations, and pilot programs. By fostering stronger partnerships, we can drive innovation, improve efficiency, and build resilient agricultural systems that benefit both our regions and beyond.

Mayer Schreiber, CEO of Discovery Park, said: “Discovery Park is a major hub for innovation, hosting over 160 companies ranging from global corporations to dynamic start-ups. Among these is Grow Up Farms, a pioneer in the vertical farming industry, creating pesticide free salad leaves for consumers across the UK.

“With our cutting-edge facilities, strategic location near London and with easy access to transport links to Europe, Discovery Park is perfectly positioned to foster further growth and innovation in the Agri-tech sector.

“Welcoming industry leaders from the UK and the Netherlands is crucial for fostering partnerships and creating new opportunities in this field. We welcome the UK Government’s efforts in promoting trade missions to Kent, which will help support the local economy, create jobs and cement Discovery Park’s position as a global hub for innovation and technology.”

 

Three new life science start-ups thrive at Discovery Park

A group of former Pfizer employees have successfully created their own businesses based at and supported by Discovery Park, a thriving life sciences community in Kent.

The new businesses are all contract research organisations, namely Biowaived, Matheus Engineering and Particology Ltd. Their launch has been supported by Pfizer’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Small Molecule (PSSM) division, with contracts for work to build their initial viability and momentum. The opportunity to establish these new businesses emerged from Pfizer’s cost realignment programme over the past year.

Biowaived provides laboratory, computational modelling services and consultancy to clients within the pharmaceutical industry to help better understand and predict how the medicines they are developing will perform when dosed to patients.

Mark McAllister, Chief Science Officer at Biowaived, said: “Founding our new business has been a steep learning curve for us all as there is a lot you take for granted when you are part of a large corporate organisation but the support we have received from Discovery Park has made all the difference. The Discovery Park ecosystem has enabled us to quickly establish our lab services and IT infrastructure and the guidance and mentorship from the scientific community based at Discovery Park has been a huge help. From the early days when all we had was a business concept to moving into our lab and offices, the Discovery Park team has been there every step of the way in making our business a reality.”

Matheus Engineering specialises in chemical process engineering based scientific services for pharmaceutical and fine chemical sectors. It works with businesses to develop and troubleshoot manufacturing processes, often developing bespoke engineering technologies to address process specific challenges.

The two co-founding scientists, Dr Suju Mathew and Dr Jinu Mathew are on the way to developing their own infrastructure and support systems to help emulate the capacity and standards they found at Pfizer. Matheus Engineering continues to focus on delivering high quality science but one day hopes to expand into the field of Net Zero Carbon related engineering and technology development.

Suju Mathew, Co-Founder and Director at Matheus Engineering, said: “Like many start-ups, patience and persistence have become two important words for us while embracing a constantly changing environment. Our industry, and specifically our former Pfizer colleagues and Discovery Park team have been hugely supportive. The Barclays Eagle Lab at the Park has been a fantastic asset in establishing our business and building confidence in our technologies. The Sandwich site provides the ideal scientific ecosystem critical for start-ups like ourselves.”

Particology Ltd sets out to be a one-stop-shop providing industry-leading particle technology contract research and consulting services. With expertise developed over decades working in the pharmaceutical industry, the ambitious group of six,  has already made significant contributions in bringing several medicines to market.

In establishing and developing the business, Particology has also benefited from mentorship from senior figures at Discovery Park and utilised the onsite Barclays Eagle Lab providing education, support and facilitating introductions with key players and investors in the industry.

Lisa Taylor, CEO at Particology, said: “Our roots are firmly embedded within Discovery Park, but our new venture has really opened our eyes to just how much goes on within the wider site and the impact of such a supportive community. We have learned a tremendous amount in a short period and genuinely credit the support from Discovery Park, academic institutions and funding organisations in helping us create Particology which we truly believe will make a positive impact in our industry and beyond.”

Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park, said: “When Pfizer first announced it was consolidating its operations, it marked a pivotal moment for us and the local life sciences community. As with any challenges in our industry, we  quickly adapted and I’m immensely proud of how Discovery Park’s team has collaborated with Pfizer colleagues and the Barclays Eagle Lab to support talented individuals to establish these three innovative new businesses. We’ll continue to be in their corner every step of the way as they progress and thrive here.”

Andrew McKillop, Senior Vice President for PSSM at Pfizer, said: “Maintaining the UK’s place as a world-leading life sciences environment means nurturing the ecosystem of science, enterprise, innovation and talent in this country. We are delighted to provide support to these start-ups led by talented individuals with clever ideas who now have the opportunity to build their enterprises.  We wish them every success and we congratulate Discovery Park on the growth of the exciting life sciences community here in Sandwich.”

Life science startups can ignite business growth through Discovery Spark

  • Applications open for Discovery Park’s ‘Discovery Spark’ programme 
  • Prize package worth over £50,000, including free lab or office space for one year at Discovery Park and a package of support from a number of specialist partners.
  • Deadline for initial applications closes midnight on 24th September 2024 

Leading science and innovation campus, Discovery Park, in Sandwich, Kent has launched applications for the third cohort of its immersive business growth competition, ‘Discovery Spark’. 

The programme equips early stage life science and technology businesses with the skills and tools to lay healthy foundations in their business, refine their commercial strategy and achieve investor readiness to enable future success and growth.  In addition, one applicant will secure a package of space and support worth over £50,000,

The free, six-week programme helps early-stage companies grow by leveraging  Discovery Park’s top facilities, people and networks. Candidates gain valuable insights from industry experts and successful founder ambassadors, exchange experiences with fellow founders, and build meaningful connections.

Delivered across seven immersive in-person sessions at Discovery Park, the programme  covers essential topics alongside mentoring, networking and group learning. Topics include intellectual property, startup legalities, branding, financial planning, ESG, data security, and regulatory compliance. The experience then culminates in a competitive pitch day to showcase the skills gained to investors. 

Presentations will be scored with the winning business receiving a prize package worth over £50,000, including one year of free lab or office space at state-of-the-art Discovery Park, plus wrap-around business support and dedicated mentoring. 

Previous winners of Discovery Spark include BugBiome which harnesses the power of skin microbiome to create effective, long-lasting pest repellents, and most recently, Canterbury menopause care provider Minter Hormone Health. 

Discovery Park’s Head of Innovation, Renos Savva, who leads the Discovery Spark programme, said: “We are proud of what we have created with Discovery Spark, which we believe to be a truly educational and inspiring programme. Now in its third phase we’ve been encouraged by the innovation, creativity and talent of budding UK businesses in our sector who have been part of the programme to date. It’s fantastic to be able to mentor these individuals and act as a springboard for future growth. We can’t wait to welcome the next  group of candidates.” 

Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park, added: “With a thriving incubator community, supportive network and room to grow, Discovery Park is a nurturing environment to start and scale a business. Scientists have amazing ideas and we can offer the lab space, resources and business mentoring to take ideas to the next level.  Discovery Spark was created to help people develop a growth mindset and refine their commercial strategy so even without securing the final prize pot, the experience and skills gained throughout the programme are invaluable. It’s a privilege to play a part in supporting the future of science leaders.” 

Discovery Spark is open to all UK based early-stage life science and tech companies, with demonstrated proof of concept and the freedom to operate. Applicants must register their interest before the closing deadline of 24th September. 

For more details of the programme and to apply for the latest cohort visit Discovery Spark.  

Pharma manufacturing giant Asymchem opens European HQ at Discovery Park

Asymchem Laboratories (Tianjin) Co., Ltd. has officially inaugurated its new European development and pilot manufacturing site at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent, U.K., marked with a ribbon cutting on Friday 2 August by Dr. Hao Hong, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Asymchem.

The former Pfizer small molecule facilities now employ 70 team members on-site in both the R&D labs and the API pilot plant, many of whom are legacy Pfizer employees. Additional hires are planned through to the end of the year as the pilot plant ramps up operations.

Building on a foundation of utilising innovative technologies to enable smarter, greener, and cost-effective solutions to support manufacture, Asymchem will add additional capabilities on-site. Advanced equipment for the manufacture of peptides and oligonucleotides, as well as sustainability capabilities for continuous flow and biocatalysis, will be added by 2025.

Dr. Hao Hong, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of Asymchem, said: “This is an exciting milestone for Asymchem to meet growing demand for pharma services and supply. We are continuing a long legacy of manufacturing excellence at Discovery Park, with the location in Kent being ideal for reaching our target markets in Europe.”

Mayer Schreiber, CEO of Discovery Park, said: “We are thrilled to see Asymchem join our thriving community at Discovery Park. We believe Kent is the ideal location for a European HQ, providing fast connections to both Europe and the capital, along with all important space to grow. Many of the team members at Asymchem have been working at Discovery Park for decades, and we’re delighted to continue to support and champion the talent here.”

Menopause care provider Minter Hormone Health wins Femtech and Women’s Health competition

The Femtech & Women’s Health edition of ‘Discovery Spark’ supports early stage businesses working to close the gender health gap.

Discovery Park has announced Minter Hormone Health as the winner of the Discovery Spark FemTech and Women’s Health Prize, following a competitive pitch process to three expert panels. 

The Women’s Health startup will now receive a prize package worth over £50K, including one year of lab or office space at Discovery Park and a package of support from specialist prize partners. 

Discovery Park is a thriving life science and innovation community, committed to supporting innovative organisations transforming women’s health. This announcement marks the culmination of the seven week Discovery Spark programme, with a cohort of 11 promising companies attending sessions at Discovery Park, in Sandwich. The growth and support programme prepared early stage businesses for success in investment pitches, with learnings on people, teams and brand, presentation and communication, and business metrics and markets. 

Founded by nurse Lexie Minter, Minter Hormone Health is a specialist healthcare provider offering personalised care for women experiencing perimenopause, menopause, PCOS, endometriosis, contraceptive and reproductive health needs. The company provides consultations and hormone health services across the UK via a virtual platform and at in-person clinics in London and Kent. Each patient receives a personalised service tailored to their unique needs and medical history, including bespoke hormone replacement therapies. 

Lexie Minter, founder of Minter Hormone Health, said: “Empowering women is fundamental to what we do and our patients value the exceptional service they receive in our clinics. We aim to roll-out our high level of expert care across the UK via a network of women’s health hubs that will be accessible to all. We must engage with women who are underserved and whose needs are not met by the current healthcare system. We will invest in research and change the future of women’s health for all, not just the few.”  

“The Discovery Spark programme has been hugely rewarding and insightful.  We are thrilled to be recognised with this award and the prize package brings us one step closer to our goal of improving healthcare outcomes, delivering female-centred care based on women’s unique physiology and ensuring equitable treatment for all.”

Dr Renos Savva, Programme Lead and Head of Innovation and Venture Development at Discovery Park, said: “We had an exceptional cohort for our FemTech and Women’s Health programme, reflecting the strength of companies working tirelessly to close the gender health gap. A massive congratulations to Minter Hormone Health, as the competition was fierce, with just four points between the top five. Discovery Spark exists to champion early stage businesses, and I’m immensely proud of the strides made by this group.” 

A third iteration of the Discovery Spark programme is opening for applications in August and starting in October. Interested early stage businesses are encouraged to sign up for notifications. https://discovery-park.co.uk/lp/discovery-spark-register-your-interest/ 

The drill pitch session was held on 4th July and included keynote speeches from Wendy Powell CEO, Mutu, a leading global digital health platform clinically recommended for perinatal pelvic health, and Juliet Gouldman, Head of Strategic and External Engagement at Barclays.

The FemTech and Women’s Health Discovery Spark Drill Pitch Day was contested by 8 (listed alphabetically) of the 11 companies from the programme: BodyOwn, Cooden Cosmetics, Cyril Protect, imphatec Ltd, Minter Hormone Health, Pelvity, S.M. Discovery Group (SMDG), and Young Mums Support Network.

The Discovery Spark programme is run in partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, NHS Kent and Medway, plus Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex. 

Prize partners for the Discovery Spark programme included: 

  • One year of office or lab space at Discovery Park 
  • Legal support from Abel + Imray
  • Business support from Barclays Eagle Labs
  • Accountancy support from Kreston Reeves LLP
  • Data support from Project Fusion
  • Brand Strategy from The Good Stuff
  • Talent and Board advice from SRG Talent 

Judges at the Discovery Spark Drill pitches were: 

Discovery Spark Prize Partners:

  • Philippa Clark – Senior Client Development Manager at SRG Talent
  • Janne Bate – Principal Search Consultant – Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Computational Sciences at SRG Talent
  • Ceri Cook – Accounts & Outsourcing Senior Manager at Kreston Reeves
  • David Rosevear – Business Services Manager at Kreston Reeves
  • Tim Hewson – Of Counsel, Chartered UK and European Patent Attorney, Abel + Imray
  • James Easley – Co-Founder of The Good Stuff Group
  • Renos Savva – Head of Innovation and Venture Development, Discovery Park 

Health & Regulatory Experts: 

  • Jenny Partridge – Innovation Manager, NHS Health Innovation Kent Surrey Sussex
  • Wendy Powell – CEO, Mutu
  • Nicola Ellis–Webb – Healthcare Services Director, Acacium Group
  • Dianne Lee – CEO, DLRC

Investors: 

  • Joanna Gould – Ada Ventures
  • Naz Bashir – Evolutia Venture Partners

Discovery Park is committed to supporting women in business and innovative organisations transforming women’s health.

Contact us for more information on business support and investment opportunities currently available.

Discovery Park Innovation Summit showcases Kent’s ambition to be a leader in healthy ageing

Discovery Park welcomed experts in healthy ageing to its Innovation Summit on 20th June, calling for the life science network in Kent to join forces to make the county a leader in healthy ageing and longevity. 

Over 230 attendees came together at the one day event to discuss innovation in healthcare, taking a close look at trends in healthy ageing, developing more integrated care, and the role of digital collaboration in future healthcare delivery.

Over-85s are the UK’s fastest growing age group. Healthy ageing needs both biomedical and societal innovations, but data shows that if everyone in the UK had an extra year of healthy living, it would be worth a huge £5 trillion to the UK economy

Keynote speaker Ian Philp, Founder, Age Care Technologies, said: “The Innovation Summit brought together an incredible network of experts working in technology, drug discovery, medicine and academia. Using this momentum, we are on a mission to make Kent a leader in longevity and ageing well, where healthy ageing is accessible to everyone. Ageing is a fact of life, and we all have a personal stake in this important endeavour.” 

Discovery Park tenant Age Care Technologies are currently running a national demonstration project in East Kent, looking at preventive care for older people. This uses the world’s leading tools to allow older people to report concerns for their health, independence and wellbeing, connecting them to support as well as providing data for policymakers to improve services, to meet the needs of an ageing population. Next year, Discovery Park will host a delegation of leaders in the care of older people from Japan and Taiwan, to learn about the innovative work of Age Care Technologies.

Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park, said: “Healthy ageing is a significant challenge that affects us all. With the proportion of people over 60 expected to double by 2050, it is essential that we foster innovation and develop technologies to address the complexities of ageing. From combating loneliness to enhancing integrated care, we want to champion people-focused solutions. 

Discovery Park is at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements, and our annual Innovation Summit plays a vital role in bringing together this dynamic network to forge connections and drive meaningful progress.” 

Alongside speeches, networking and workshops, Discovery Park held an opening ceremony for its new shared lab space, CoLab, in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University. Designed to support early-stage life science businesses, CoLab provides flexible bench space in a collaborative coworking environment.

Other Innovation Summit keynote speakers at the event included Cynthia Bullock, Deputy Director of the Healthy Ageing Challenge, Innovate UK, and Sally-Ann Emmas, Strategy & Innovation Leader, Medicines Discovery Catapult. 

Martin Carpenter, Digital Transformation Officer, NHS Kent & Medway and Hassan Chaudhury, Commercial Director, DATA-CAN took part in a fireside chat about the future of digital collaboration. 

A panel discussion on Healthy Aging was chaired by Rakesh Koria, Ageing & Dying Well Clinical Lead NHS SE, and included Ian Philp, Founder, Age Care Technologies, David Wilkinson, Professor of Psychology, University of Kent, and Sarah Bradnum, Communications Lead, The Joy Club. 

Closing the morning session, Cornelia Wilson, Reader and Academic Laboratory Director, CCCU gave an introduction to Discovery Park’s new CoLab shared lab facility, with final remarks from Mayer Schreiber, CEO at Discovery Park. 

The afternoon included four workshops, covering different themes: 

  • The Leadership Team of the BSG SIG on Ageing, Business and Society
  • Unity Insights: Importance of Evaluation for the Adoption of New Technologies in Healthcare
  • Navigating Digital Inclusion in Ageing and Dementia
  • DLRC Regulatory Consultancy: How to Communicate with Regulators

Partners for the event included Age Care Technologies, NHS and the Medicines Discovery Catapult.

Discovery Park gears up for annual Innovation Summit on 20th June, with final spots remaining

Discovery Park, Kent’s thriving life science and innovation community, is preparing to welcome 300 healthcare innovators to its campus on Thursday 20th June for its second annual Innovation Summit, with only final spots remaining. 

This year’s summit has a focus on innovation in healthcare, taking a close look at trends in healthy ageing, breakthroughs in medicine and life science, and the role of digital collaboration in future healthcare delivery.

 

The one day event at Discovery Park’s campus in Sandwich includes morning  keynote speeches from leaders including Cynthia Bullock, Deputy Director of the Healthy Ageing Challenge, Innovate UK, and Ian Philp, Founder, Age Care Technologies. With time for networking throughout, the day concludes with a choice of afternoon workshops, with specialist sessions on Navigating Digital Inclusion in Ageing and Dementia and How to Communicate with Regulators. 

Jane Kennedy, Chief Business Officer at Discovery Park, said: “We are excited to welcome healthcare leaders to Discovery Park for our second Innovation Summit, exploring the transformative trends shaping the future of health, medicine, and life science. Along with expert insights, the Summit provides important networking opportunities amongst influential attendees, including esteemed academics, industry leaders, and innovative entrepreneurs.” 

 

More information and the event agenda is available on Discovery Park’s website: https://discovery-park.co.uk/innovation-summit/ 

Attendees are encouraged to secure their free spot now, by registering here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/innovation-summit-tickets-811221283697?aff=oddtdtcreator 

Partners for the event include Age Care Technologies, NHS and Medicines Discovery Catapult. 

Discovery Park-Based Gareth Jones Discusses His Newest Venture, RecBox

Last week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Gareth Jones, Founder of Discovery Park-based Wave Search, to discuss his latest venture: RecBox.

In our insightful conversation, Gareth shared the inspiration behind RecBox and how its advanced features aim to streamline every stage of recruitment.

 

 

Can you start by sharing a bit about you and your professional journey? 

My name is Gareth Jones, and I’m the Co-Founder of RecBox, alongside my business partner, Elkie Holland. With nearly 20 years in the recruitment industry, I have a deep passion for AI and recruitment technology. Since 2015, I’ve been running my business, Wave Search, at Discovery Park. Our journey led us to develop RecBox, a revolutionary recruitment productivity tool. In late 2023, we partnered with KTB Technologies, a market leader in workforce management technology, to bring RecBox to life!

 

What is RecBox?

RecBox is an AI-powered recruitment toolkit designed to streamline and enhance every stage of the hiring process. It provides recruiters with a suite of tools to make smarter, faster, and more efficient hiring decisions. The beauty of RecBox lies in its simplicity—a user-friendly dashboard allows users to complete repetitive and time-consuming tasks in seconds, with just one click, using a CV or job description.

 

What inspired you to develop RecBox, and how does it address the pain points recruiters face?

Elkie and I saw the potential of AI and automation to address inefficiencies in the hiring process. Recruiters often spend countless hours on manual tasks, missing out on top talent. RecBox was created to tackle these pain points by automating routine tasks and enhancing candidate matching through AI technology. This not only reduces the time and cost to hire but also improves the quality of hires, benefiting recruiters, talent acquisition professionals, and their clients or stakeholders.

 

Is RecBox just for recruiters? Can you share a bit about the use cases?

While RecBox is a powerful tool for recruiters, its applications extend beyond traditional recruitment roles. HR professionals, talent acquisition specialists, and hiring managers can all benefit from its features. HR teams can streamline internal hiring processes, and hiring managers can make data-driven decisions. Essentially, anyone involved in the hiring process can find value in RecBox.

 

What measures has RecBox implemented to protect sensitive recruitment information?

Security is a top priority for RecBox. We’ve implemented robust measures to protect sensitive information, including secure cloud storage and stringent access controls. Our platform undergoes regular security audits and updates to ensure data is safeguarded against potential threats. Additionally, we comply with all relevant data protection regulations, giving our users peace of mind regarding the security of their information.

 

What future features can users expect from RecBox?

We have an exciting roadmap for RecBox with several innovative features in development. We’re working on advanced integration tools so users can connect RecBox to their current CRM, ATS, or HR software for a more seamless experience. Our goal is to continuously evolve RecBox to meet the changing needs of the recruitment industry and provide our users with the best possible tools for success.

 

Find out more about RecBox and how it can help you here.

Contact us