The Start blueprint has its origins in the success of its Cambridge headquarters at the world-renowned St John’s Innovation Centre
 

The Start blueprint has its origins in the success of the highly successful St John's Innovation Centre (SJIC), at which our Cambridge headquarters are based. SJIC has developed a world-renowned business support model which is now available to clients throughout the UK via a national network of Start centres.

Since 1987, under the Directorship of Walter Herriot, St John’s Innovation Centre has provided security and flexibility to its tenants through highly-sought accommodation and free advice from an experienced team on a wide range of business issues. The Centre acts as a catalyst in promoting technology regionally, nationally and internationally and, as a result of its engagement with university departments and government bodies, its success in helping entrepreneurs access funding and its contacts with the business community, tenants boast an exceptionally high survival rate when compared with the immediate locality and the rest of the UK.

With a proven track record for success, SJIC provides both sought-after services in business plan preparation and fundraising, and unique access to key departments at the University of Cambridge: the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning; the Institute for Manufacturing; the Department of Engineering; and the Judge Institute Business School, as well as Business Angels and investment funds within the Cambridge high tech community.