StartupCafe

Edinburgh Napier University has announced a new centre that is designed to help Scottish entrepreneurs, start up companies and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) get their products to market. The first of its kind in Scotland, the Product Realisation Centres (PRC) will facilitate the production and testing of demonstrator and prototype products while providing guidance, support and advice in new product development and engineering management.

These prototype centres will exploit the existing assets within Further Education Colleges and University laboratories to deliver operational product prototypes to small to medium size enterprises and start-up ventures. In addition, personnel will work with a company to guide and mentor across functions where the companies are inexperienced. Typical areas will include roles in such areas as Finance, HR, NPI, Marketing & Sales to ensure that the company has the required information and structure to launch its products.

The PRC expect to reduce the time to market for its clients with the subsequent reduction in costs. In addition, the PRC will assist companies with sustainability and future products.

The Product Realisation Centre is a sister organisation of EDTC Technology Gateway, both of which are based within the Institute for Product Design & Manufacture at Edinburgh Napier University. EDTC Technology Gateway and the Product Realisation Centres will work together to help Scottish entrepreneurs and SMEs deliver competitive products for the global market. EDTC will evaluate product concepts and identify appropriate technologies and materials and the PRC will ensure these concepts are introduced into the manufacturing process in a seamless manner through to product launch.

If you would like to find out more about the services available from PRC or if you would like help to develop your own product demonstrator or prototype, please contact John Wigham, Project Director on 01506 407140 or email j.wigham@napier.ac.uk.