The MK:U Innovation Hub was launched in March 2022 at Bouverie House with the intention of becoming a central beacon for innovation within the Milton Keynes business community.
By showcasing the newest ideas and helping to develop pioneering mindsets, the Hub brings businesses together to learn and grow. It will support Milton Keynes in becoming one of the UK’s leaders for innovation, with particular focus towards smart cities and connectivity.
MK:U Innovation Hub houses a co-working space that includes high-tech meeting spaces all equipped with the latest technology, a workshop that gives access to research grade design equipment which makes visions of grand products become a reality. The Innovation Hub supports the creative community by providing podcast and photography spaces to make sure entrepreneurs’ marketing content is the best it can be.
MK:U is focused on creating a unique space in Milton Keynes to support businesses, and houses technologically advanced teaching spaces that are some of the best in the UK. These workshop spaces encourage creative learning environments while using the best learning technologies on the market that will support collaboration using state-of-the-art tools that allow seamless sharing across different groups to improve workshop productivity.
MK:U is looking to set the standard for hybrid spaces in the UK, with all meeting rooms providing hybrid functionality as standard. In addition to the meeting rooms, the workshop spaces also allow for seamless hybrid functionality where the entire room can act as a hybrid space. All of these spaces are available for Milton Keynes businesses to access and make use of to enhance a hybrid working policy.
MK:U Innovation Hub wants to act as the bridge to connect the university sector to local businesses by taking away the traditional barriers between higher education and businesses and encouraging students to interact with the business community as part of their studies. Using shared working spaces that can be accessed by both students and businesses the interactions are designed to be seamless. Working both ways, MK:U Innovation Hub wants to encourage more businesses to understand how they can engage with a university. Through collaborations on research, supporting projects and helping with recruitment MK:U will grow to become an essential resource for local businesses looking to build a sustainable resource.
MK:U is now working with Santander to support businesses looking to upskill their staff through apprenticeships. Santander have committed over £1m in apprenticeship levy funding that can cover the entire cost of upskilling an employee through apprenticeships. MK:U specialises in degree apprenticeships where employees can study for an apprenticeship resulting in an undergraduate degree by the time they have completed the programme. These programmes focus on boosting the digital economy with the intention of establishing Milton Keynes as a hot spot locally for digital skills.
One of the key features of the MK:U Innovation Hub is its focus on hands-on, experiential learning. This approach to education is designed to empower entrepreneurs to take an active role in their own learning, and to explore their interests and passions in a supportive and engaging environment. Whether entrepreneurs are working on a robotics project in one of the maker spaces, or exploring new technologies in our digital media lab, the MK:U Innovation Hub provides them with the tools and resources they need to bring their ideas to life.
MK:U is looking to support the next generation of entrepreneurs through its Innovators Programme. Aimed at young, entrepreneurially minded individuals who are looking for an alternative approach to go alongside their current education, with a programme of practical learning, looking at how they can start their own businesses.
With advice from industry experts and connections to funding opportunities that will launch new and exciting ideas, the Innovator Programme stands out as a course that is driven by solving real world issues and getting impactful businesses into the community.
The Innovators Programme is unlike any other business support programme as it has no fixed length and its approach to delivery is that it that will adapt around the participants. Sessions are delivered based on real experience with mentoring throughout the programme by a team with decades of experience.
Kristian Mackie MK:U Innovation Hub Manager said: “This programme is going to help young people in Milton Keynes who are cautious of traditional education and want to try a different way of learning that can support a successful career.”
For more information and to sign up for the programme visit the website.
