CERN supports new business incubation centre in the UK

John Womersley of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (left) meets Steve Myers, CERN's Director of Accelerators and Technology. Geneva, 23 April 2012. CERN and the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council announce the launch of a new Business Incubation Centre (BIC) at the STFC's Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus. The centre will provide a new technology transfer opportunity to bridge the gap between basic science and industry, supporting businesses and entrepreneurs in taking innovative technologies related to high energy physics from technical concept to market reality. "CERN is committed to maximizing the benefit to society of CERN technology through the development and exploitation of innovative ideas in all CERN's areas of expertise," explained Steve Myers, CERN's Director of Accelerators and Technology. "Our technologies are already available through schemes ranging from R&D partnerships to licences and consultancy. The CERN-STFC BIC provides a new route to market, and I hope it will be the first of many in our Member States." The Business Incubation Centre will nurture innovative ideas based on technologies developed at CERN, with a direct contribution from CERN and in which CERN expertise could be brought to bear.