More than 200 members of the Midland business and academic community attended an event showcasing 36 new companies at Birmingham Science Park Aston.

The companies were part of the BSEEN (Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network) – a scheme to support employability and enterprise among recent graduates.

These 36 new firms are the latest to receive support from BSEEN, which has invested over £1.2 million in incubating 90 fledgling businesses over the last 18 months, and supporting around 350 recent graduates and students develop their enterprise and entrepreneurship skills.

Professor Helen Higson, senior pro-vice chancellor at Aston University, said: “The Government has made it clear that it wants more people to think entrepreneurially and set up their own businesses to drive growth in the UK economy. Graduates will play a key role in this, bringing fresh new ideas and developing them into strong successful businesses.

“It is important to offer incubator space to graduates as whilst they will have acquired great knowledge and skill sets during their courses, they can’t be expected to know everything. Having expert mentors on hand to guide them really does help these companies flourish and prosper.

“The showcase last night was incredibly rewarding to attend, reminding me that we have consistently exceeded our targets for supporting our current and former students on their entrepreneurial journeys. I was pleased to see the diversity of businesses, ideas and passion within the group. I have no doubt there will be some will be the big hitters of the future amongst this latest cohort.”

Aston University manages BSEEN, alongside partners University of Birmingham and Birmingham City University, and offers 6 months of free incubator access at Birmingham Science Park Aston – with training, mentoring, coaching and a business grant.

It is funded through Birmingham City Council’s Working Neighbourhoods Fund.