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Newhaven Enterprise Gateway Wins UK Business Incubation
Award for Best Newcomer
07th December 2005
 UK Business Incubation (UKBI), the leading body for business incubators has awarded Newhaven Enterprise Gateway the prestigious and hotly contested 'Newcomer of the Year' Award at its 7th International Conference.
The Award is bestowed on incubators in the first two years of operation, who can demonstrate excellence in providing support for start-up or early stage businesses.
Business Incubation is a process of hands-on, intensive support for businesses, helping them to navigate through the first years of existence through providing advice and assistance on the many hurdles and stumbling blocks that businesses face.
Each year, UKBI's members apply for a number of awards, designed to celebrate the successes of its members in supporting the next generations of world class businesses.
Newhaven Enterprise Gateway was awarded the title following a close run battle between a number of centres. The Judges felt that Newhaven Enterprise Gateway had the edge on the others because of its dedication to support, innovative services and focus on the needs of its clients.
Newhaven Enterprise Gateway is part of a network of nine other Enterprise Gateways - an incubation initiative developed jointly by the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) and the region's Business Links. It is run by Director, Mr Jon Yon, who is based at the Denton Island Training & Business Centre, Newhaven.
The Enterprise Gateway network differentiates itself from many traditional incubators or science parks which offer space and advice to high technology, high growth companies, by its services and target market. The Enterprise Gateways offer support to all start-up companies, and add strength and value to services by working with local partners such as Business Links, Enterprise Agencies and local universities and colleges.
The Newhaven Enterprise Gateway offers support to a wide range of underrepresented groups including: ethnic minorities, over 50s and social enterprises but is particularly proud of the high quality support that it provides for women who are thinking about starting or have recently started a business.
Commenting on Newhaven Enterprise Gateway, Malcolm Buckler, Chief Executive of UKBI said: "The Judges felt that Newhaven Enterprise Gateway put the needs and desires of its clients first, and tailored the business incubation offering to a number of diverse sections of the community.
"Its dedication to supporting early stage businesses leapt from the application to the award, as did its passion and enthusiasm to help businesses to succeed. Whilst we had a number of very good applications, we felt Newhaven truly deserved the award as recognition for the tremendous work it is doing."
Jon Yon , Director, Newhaven Enterprise Gateway, was thrilled to accept the award: "I am delighted to receive this award. The Newhaven Enterprise Gateway is proud of its achievements in promoting and nurturing businessin Newhaven and the surrounding area. Our success is due to the combination of putting our clients needs first; providing a flexible and adaptable service; supporting disadvantaged groups and thereby releasing their potential; giving free long-term incubation support; and access to a business and support network. The Newhaven Enterprise Gateway champions local services and with the excellent support from our public and private sector partners we have been able to demonstrate a major impact on the economic development and regeneration of Newhaven and have started to grow an enterprising culture within the local community."
The Awards Ceremony took place at the Annual UKBI International Conference held in Sheffield 28th November. The Conference attracted over 350 delegates from all four corners of the globe to discuss and share best practice in business incubation development and delivery.
 The Newcomer Award was one of four presented on the evening; Incubation Environment of the Year (High Growth Start-Up Unit, Scottish Enterprise), Champion of the Year (Rotherham Investment Development Office), Incubatee of the Year (Martek Marine, RiDO) and Newcomer of the Year. The runner up of the Newcomer of the Year was the Slough Enterprise Gateway.
Enterprise Gateway Directors, Nina Sian (Slough Enterprise Gateway) and Jon Yon (Newhaven Enterprise Gateway) both recognised in the UK Business Incubation Awards 2005 'Best Newcomer' category
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