New business club drives investment opportunities – University of Reading
25 March 2004The University of Reading and Reading Enterprise Hub have joined a new business club, The Alchemists, designed to provide young companies with access to high quality ongoing support and funding at critical stages in their development. At the Inaugural Meeting held at Royal Holloway University of London in February, two companies with strong Reading links, Exciting R/C Models Ltd and Satsuma Solutions, presented their plans for growth. Established as a community of business mentors and investors, The Alchemists offer resources, including knowledge, people and finance, to support the development of technology and knowledge-based businesses. The club will work with regional universities and Enterprise Hubs to identify appropriate opportunities to present to their membership. Sue O'Hare, the University's Technology Transfer Manager, believes that joining The Alchemists is an important addition to the University's portfolio of investment opportunities. She said: "The members of this club are seasoned business people who are driven to support the innovative and entrepreneurial businesses that we promote in both our academic and Enterprise Hub communities. This gives us an excellent platform to present our opportunities to potential investors." Sally Goodsell, Chief Executive of Finance South East Ltd, welcomed Reading's contribution to the club. "As organisers of the Alchemists, we are delighted that the University and Reading Hub have decided to join this important initiative and we very much welcome their contribution," she said. "We hope that many companies and entrepreneurs associated with our partners will benefit from this unique offering." The University's relationship with The Alchemists is managed through Reading Enterprise Hub. For more information please contact Acting Director, Ian Dwyer, on (tel) 0118 935 7300 or (email) i.j.dwyer@reading.ac.uk end