1284 Communications has been listed a report on innovative Loughborough companies by a national charity which champions the role of business as a force for good.

The Jobs Foundation has released its report Loughborough: Looking to the Future.

It references 1284, which also recently featured as a case study on the UK job creation organisation's website.

The report, written by journalist Nick Tyrone, highlights the crucial role of incubation hubs.

It uses LUinc. - the Loughborough University incubator - as a case study for ways of nurturing new businesses.

1284 was based at LUinc. for four years before moving to larger office space at nearby ATIC on the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) campus.

These spaces provide young entrepreneurs, many of them university graduates, with the resources and networks they need to succeed.

The report mentions innovative startups like ExpHand Prosthetics and Tzuka to demonstrate the potential for businesses to address societal needs while creating economic value.

Loughborough PR benefit

Collaboration is a key theme throughout the report - and it presents a positive story about Loughborough's enterprise ecosystem as a whole.

It finds that the heart of Loughborough's success is the symbiotic relationship between the university, local businesses, and community organisations.

The university, with its focus on sports science and climate change research, acts as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship.

The report looks across the LUSEP campus, which hosts a range of businesses, from global players like Access Group to promising startups.

It also references The Careers and Enterprise Hub, a joint venture between the university, Loughborough College, and Charnwood Borough Council. The building provides resources for students and community members alike.

The East Midlands Institute of Technology is also discussed for its work on aligning STEM education with local industry needs, promoting social mobility in the process.

Charnwood's lesson for other areas

The report also touches on Loughborough's potential in the green economy, particularly in hydrogen production.

Local businesses are calling for clear, stable government targets to encourage investment in this sector.

The report concludes that Loughborough's success offers valuable lessons for other towns:

1. Universities can be powerful engines of local economic development.
2. Incubation hubs and networking opportunities are crucial for fostering entrepreneurship.
3. Collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and local government can create a thriving ecosystem.
4. A focus on emerging sectors like green technology can position towns for future growth.