Oxford Innovation

Right to the Top - Entrepreneurs expand at Portsmouth Technopole

Portsmouth Technopole, the city’s leading innovation centre, has recently witnessed expansions by two client companies that are benefiting from the flexible office space and business support for fast-growing companies that the building provides. A third company has outgrown its space at the Technopole and moved into its own purpose built premises.

Since opening in April 2003, the Technopole, managed by Oxford Innovation, has established a track record for providing vital support to local entrepreneurs. Start-up and growing companies can benefit from a range of office facilities on flexible terms, access to funding from private investors, practical business advice and regular networking events.

One such fast-growing company at Portsmouth Technopole is AMT Data, a software development company specialising in web-based applications and database building. AMT Data offers a range of consultancy services to help businesses plan and manage their IT, and rationalise their databases and data reporting systems. The company’s biggest client is CarweB SMMT, a database for 40 million UK vehicles. AMT Data provides the systems that continually update CarweB, and allow for over 20,000 vehicle registration checks every hour.

AMT Data set up in a small office at the Technopole in 2003, initially with two founders but has now taken an office suite on the top floor with sweeping views of the city and harbour. Colin Thorpe, AMT Data’s Managing Director, said: “We are now up to eight permanent staff, and planning to add another two this year. We’re in our fourth office at Portsmouth Technopole, and we’ve finally made it to the top floor!”

Colin and his colleagues have found that the professional appearance of the Technopole’s facilities has helped in building the business. “The Technopole has undoubtedly helped us win some key clients. First impressions are vital, and the professional nature of the reception area, the cheerful and business-like reception staff, and the formal boardroom have helped create a great image of AMT Data, even when there were only two of us. Also, the ability to move into a larger office when we needed it, and not having to sign up to a long-term lease, have been vital factors in our growth,” Colin said.

Another Technopole client, Transalis, has developed innovative software tools that provide easy electronic communication between suppliers and buyers, allowing orders and invoices to be sent and received without the traditional requirement for manual processing and filing. The companies on Transalis’s current client roster include Microsoft, Dyson, Unilever and Argos, as well as hundreds of suppliers for Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, John Lewis and Ford.

Transalis moved into a small office at Portsmouth Technopole a year ago when there were just two members of staff. The flexibility of the Technopole’s accommodation has allowed Transalis to take on more staff when needed, and also expand into the building’s largest top floor office.

Co-founder and Director of Transalis, Aniello Sabatino, said: “We currently have six core staff plus a number of other support employees working remotely or from home. We found that our initial two-person office quickly become a bit crowded, so we moved upstairs into a much larger top floor office at Portsmouth Technopole, which will allow us to grow to our target of ten to 15 core staff in the next 18 months.”

Commenting on the range of facilities available for developing businesses at the Technopole, Mr Sabatino said: “We find the services provided by the staff are invaluable. A key advantage is that the Technopole is flexible – as your business grows, your requirements change. When you are just setting up you want to focus on the business and enjoy a high quality supporting infrastructure – office space, switchboard, etc – that can accommodate the growth of your business.”

Some companies that have taken advantage of all that Portsmouth Technopole has to offer eventually require more space than is available at the Technopole site – a clear benchmark of success. One such business is network-based telephone services provider, Ultra Communications, which has recently vacated offices at the Technopole and bought its own premises elsewhere in Hampshire.

Karen Tyrrell, Sales and Marketing Manager for the Technopole, is delighted that her clients are expanding. She said: “It’s very gratifying to see new companies like Transalis, AMT Data and Ultra Comms growing successfully. The Technopole is designed to enable them to focus on developing their products and businesses while we worry about providing the right office environment, support and services. So their success is our success!”