About Sparkhouse

Sparkhouse is a successful incubation centre for fledgling creative, innovation and technology companies which has been accredited by UKBI's Inspire program. We provide an environment that gives new businesses access to specialist support services, knowledge and facilities.

The development of Sparkhose, as the first physical incubator to be established by the University of Lincoln, provides the focus of a dynamic environment in which young start-up businesses can be concentrated, nurtured and grown during the time they are most vulnerable. Its location on the Brayford Campus enables the tenants within the centre to draw on and benefit from the resources available within the University. The centre is part of the East Midlands Development Agency's (emda) cluster strategy, targeted at the creative industries (and more specifically the media sector).

Our unique incubation service offers:

Stepped rental package Business planning advice Mentoring Finance services Access to specialist support Training / seminars / workshops Networking opportunities Access to a network of external business support

As a tenant of Sparkhouse studios you will receive excellent office and administrative services as standard, on top of these start-up companies will also have access to a wide range of business advice and services for two years.

(Through appropriate agencies and/ or University & Centre staff)

For example advice is available in the following area:

Marketing

Business Planning

Cash Flow Forecast

IPR Protection

Legal Services

Finance

Technical Support

You will also have the opportunity to access Industry-specific support and mentoring, in particular The University has established a strong reputation in the field of creative industries and the centre is able to provide access to industry and academic practitioners in this field and others.

Getting Started

Suitabilitiy:

The premises are not suitable for all types of business activity. Retail outlets and residential occupation are not permitted. If you are in doubt as to the suitability of your business please contact centre staff for further advice.

Tenancy Agreement:

A lease agreement must be completed before access to an individual unit will be granted. This agreement will normally be run on a monthly basis, but this is open to negotiation. The rent, payable under the tenancy agreement, will be required one month in advance. The maximum period of tenancy within the centre will normally be two years, however a suitable exit policy will be discussed as this time approaches. Leaving the centre does not mean that support and links will cease.

Unit Specification

Each unit will be decorated to office standard. Any redecoration must be agreed with the centre manager and the unit should be returned to its original condition when vacated. This unit will be provided with basic office furniture (i.e. an appropriate number of desks and chairs) power points, telephone points and data access points.

Insurance

The university is responsible for insuring the building and the fabric against fire and public responsibility of the tenants to ensure the contents of their unit against fire, theft, public liability( if appropriate) and other risks together with any appropriate insurance for themselves and their staff.

Car parking

Tenants will be able to utilise the adjacent car park on the same basis and terms as University employees. A limited number of spaces are available at the centre strictly for use by visitors and for loading. The use of these of spaces is by arrangement by reception. Occupancy of the centre includes no automatic right to use the centre car parking spaces.

Please note: failure to display the correct visitor or staff permit will result in ticket enforcement.

Business support

In addition to the basic provision of office and administrative services, start-up companies will have access to a wide range of business advice and services through appropriate agencies for two years. Access to these services can continue after the initial two years but this may incur an additional charge.

Centre staff, members of the University academic staff, and outside agencies will provide support in such areas such as marketing, business planning, cash flow forecast, ipr projection, legal services, finance and technical support this support will be delivered in the most appropriate manor.

Business Access

Occupants of the centre are able to gain access to the centre 24hours a day 7 days a week in normal circumstances with this in mind it is the responsibility of all the occupants to ensure that the units remain locked when not in use and all reasonable effort are made to ensure the security of the whole building. Windows must be secured when units are not occupied.

Reception

Reception facilities are for the use of all tenants, the use of this will be discussed individually with each tenant in order for services to be utilised in full. Reception is available during normal office hours (i.e. 8:30am – 5:00pm. Mon – thurs 4:30pm Friday)

Included in the rent

Included within the rent are:

Water rates
Heating, lighting and power
Broadband Internet Access
Central reception (central reception to receive your clients, postal collection and distribution service and other services by your request)
Maintenance and other internal repairs to units
Landscaping and upkeep of the grounds
Cleaning of common areas
Photocopying and fax facilities
Telephone line rental (call charges are not included)
Building insurance
Waste disposal

Additional monthly charges:

Telephone Calls
Postage
Business rates (payable to Lincoln City Council)

Prices

The rent in the first year of tenancy will be as follows:

£80 per month for the first 3 months
£120 per month for the next three months
£200 per month for the next 6 months,
£280 for the following 6 months
£345 per month for the final 6 months

(excluding VAT, which are will be able to claim back if you are VAT registered).

How to Apply

Having decided that you would like to apply to enter into the centre (Please take a look at the information in the sections ‘getting started' and ‘helpful tips’) you should initially complete the online application form and attach a business outline (see the ‘helpful tips’) of no more than two sides of A4.

Applications can be made on an ongoing basis. Once your application has been recieved you will be invited to a brief disscussion with the Centre Manager to talk about your application and help you prepare for a panel interview. At the interview you will be invited to make a 10 presentation to a panel of representative from the tenancy selection group for the centre, including persons internal and external to the University. This will be followed by a question and answer session. You will be notified of the results within the following week. Should you be successful at this stage you will be required to complete a full business plan (support to achieve this will be provided) before moving into the centre.

Apply Now

Click here to apply for a Sparkhouse or Virtual tenancy.

Helpful Tips

This information is designed to help you prepare a brief business outline. The outline should be no more than two sides of A4 and should be included with your application. Advice will be available following the application process to offer help completing a full business plan. The aim of this brief business summary is to allow the interview panel to understand some of the background and aims of your business before your presentation. This process will also provide a focus for you to clarify some of our own aims and objectives.

Below are a number of suggested possible headings to structure you plan, this list is by no means exhaustive;

Your idea; a short paragraph summarising your central idea
Objectives; where do you see the business in the future
Financial information; how much will you need to start the business, where do you see if coming from, how much money will you need to support yourself. (This is the key area and should be included in all business summaries)
Abilities; who are the members of your business, what skills have they each got
Market Research; is there a gap in the market for your business, who will your customers be
Marketing Plan; how will you fill that gap
Logistics; who’s going to do what and when
Training; will you need to learn new skills to start the business

There are many organisations that provide information on how to turn your idea into a business. If you would like any help or advice in putting together your breif outline please do not hesitate to contact centre staff on 01522 837200 or e-mail enterprise@lincoln.ac.uk

BrandFour Design Agency

It was easy to choose Enterprise@Lincoln as a base for our business, the central location and support network means my business can flourish.