ESSEX University has secured £800,000 funding to support new digital and creative businesses at its Colchester campus.

Research England and the Government have committed the money towards the £1.3 million Accelerating Innovation project at the university’s Knowledge Gateway, which has been designated an official University Enterprise Zone.

Over the next two years the project will see the university increase business and job creation by providing budding entrepreneurs with advice and practical support at the technology park.

The university’s Colchester campus has also been officially named a University Enterprise Zone by the Government.

The cash will be used to launch advice programme Space to Grow, deliver a new crowdfunding platform, increase the equipment available at the centre’s Studio X and create work anywhere with wifi for the whole of the gateway.

University Vice-chancellor Professor Anthony Foster said he was “absolutely delighted”.

“This provides national recognition of its strategic importance and further momentum to our aspirations to make it the location of choice in the eastern region for knowledge-based enterprises in science, technology and the creative sector,” he said.

“We have been working towards this status over the last five years, with over £50 million of investment in the Knowledge Gateway. 

“Our vision is to create more than 2,000 high-value jobs within 15 years, welcoming more start-ups, SMEs and global businesses who will benefit from the co-location with our world-class researchers on our Colchester campus.”

Essex University’s Innovation Centre opened just two months ago and will eventually house 50 start-ups focused around science and technology.

Centre director Daniel Smart said: “We have been open a few months and already have exciting collaborations between the university and businesses in the building.

“This announcement will help support budding entrepreneurs, start-ups and scale ups to access the unique skill sets and talent at the university and help cement the Knowledge Gateway as the location in the east to base your business.”

Science Minister Chris Skidmore added: “The funding will not only help local scientists take their ideas from lab to market – but will also support an enterprise hub at University of Essex.

“Providing space for local businesses to forge crucial partnerships, the UEZs will create jobs, drive local growth and provide SMEs with a vital steppingstone to succeed.”