The EPIC Future Entrepreneurs Programme, a collaborative initiative between South Devon College and the EPIC Centre, has successfully concluded its inaugural cohort, marking a significant milestone in nurturing young entrepreneurial talent in the region.

Launched on June 18, the intensive programme offered students and recent graduates a series of six comprehensive workshops over three weeks. These sessions covered essential topics such as business ideation, intellectual property, financial planning, marketing strategies, and pitching techniques. Participants also benefited from one-on-one mentoring sessions with local business experts, providing personalised guidance to refine their business concepts.

The programme culminated today with a dynamic pitch event, where participants presented their business ideas to a panel of judges. The top three pitches were awarded £1,500, £1,000, and £500 respectively, providing crucial seed funding to kickstart their ventures. Beyond the financial incentives, all participants will continue to receive support through additional workshops and mentorship to ensure the sustainability and growth of their businesses.

Jess Tucker, Head of Personal Development and Careers Leader at South Devon College, expressed enthusiasm about the programme's impact:

“We are really excited about giving our students this opportunity to get expert guidance and mentoring to provide them with the knowledge and confidence to get their own business idea off the ground. Our students are really innovative and have excellent ideas and, with the support of the EPIC Future Entrepreneurs programme, we know many of them will be able to bring these ideas to fruition. In turn this will future-proof our local economy already heavily dependant on SMEs and help keep local talent and skills in the region.” 

 

Rich Scutt, Centre Director at EPIC, highlighted the programme's role in bridging the gap between ideas and execution:

“We are delighted to be partnering with South Devon College in this entrepreneurship programme. So many budding entrepreneurs never get the opportunity to turn their brilliant ideas into reality due to lack of support. This programme will arm you with the tools and knowledge you need to kickstart your own business. We will then continue to support your business in the future as it grows.” 

The success of the EPIC Future Entrepreneurs Programme underscores the importance of providing structured support to aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly in regions like Torbay, where fostering local talent can have a profound impact on the community's economic development.

For more information about the programme and future opportunities, visit EPIC Future Entrepreneurs.

The EPIC Centre has proudly unveiled its cutting-edge podcast studios, created in collaboration with Superb Media, a leading digital agency with over 14 years of storytelling experience. This exciting development offers creators, businesses, and brands a unique opportunity to produce professional, high-impact content in a purpose-built environment.

A Full-Service Podcast Production Experience

The new podcast studios offer far more than just a recording space. They provide a full-service experience, supporting clients through every stage of content creation. Services include:

• Script writing and episode planning
• Custom intros, outros, and music branding
• Professional editing and mastering
• Publishing to major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube
• Creation of short-form content for social media
• Branding and monetisation consultation
• Virtual guest integration and live streaming capabilities
• Photography and visual storytelling support

With expert engineers and production staff on hand, content creators can focus on their message while the EPIC team ensures top-tier production quality.

Empowering a New Wave of Content Creators

The studios cater to a broad audience—from independent podcasters and educators to brands and corporate teams aiming to enhance their communication strategies. Whether you're launching a new show or elevating an existing one, the EPIC Centre offers a tailored approach to match your vision.

This initiative highlights EPIC’s continued commitment to nurturing digital creativity in the South West. By teaming up with Superb Media, known for its bold creative work and technical expertise, the centre ensures clients benefit from a comprehensive and professional production experience.

Get Started

If you’re ready to bring your podcast vision to life, the EPIC Centre and Superb Media are here to help.

[email protected]
01803 714 714 or 020 3369 2004
www.wearesuperb.com

For more details about the studios and services available, visit epic-centre.co.uk/podcast-studios.

Unleash your voice—where creativity meets quality, only at EPIC.

Hi there, I’m Richard Scutt and I’m the new Centre Director of EPIC Centre in Paignton.

The Centre is host to 14 innovative businesses who employ over 200 people here in Torbay and is part of a growing Hi Tech Cluster.

The centre is full to capacity and provides state of the art workspace, labs and equipment to support the growth of these businesses.

The main specialism of the businesses based at EPIC is microelectronics, photonics and hi tech and serves as a significant catalyst for the local economy and lays a solid foundation for the region to thrive as an innovation and technology hub.

My background is in managing innovation centres and growing an ecosystem that improves the local economy and creates well paid and sustainable jobs.

I am looking to build an ecosystem here in Torbay to support students in schools, colleges and universities interested in technology, to provide start up facilities for entrepreneurs with new ideas, and a range of workshops, online resources and training opportunities to support anyone interested in joining our thriving community.

For further information please give me a call on 01803 714715, e mail [email protected] or drop in and see me at EPIC in Paignton.

Since opening late 2019, EPIC has continued to welcome innovative technology businesses as well as international firms seeking expansion opportunities within the UK.
Today marks a significant milestone in EPIC's brief yet impactful journey as it welcomes its fifteenth tenant, The EuroTech Group Plc , reaching full occupancy.
EPIC recently allocated its last available laboratory space to Coherent, a renowned global entity specialising in materials, networking, and laser technologies. Coherent Laser will establish an R&D facility within our premises, complementing their existing site in Paignton. With introduction of these two new businesses, all forty lettable units are now completely occupied.
In under five years, notwithstanding the challenges posed by the pandemic, EPIC has become completely self-sufficient whilst providing essential support to encourage the development of its businesses. EPIC will now implement a waiting-list system to accommodate businesses wishing to take space and access >£3M worth of equipment and a classified cleanroom. The centre will continue to support its existing tenants and will look to facilitate a smooth transition out of EPIC into the nearby Torbay Technology Park which is expected to be completed by March 2026.

EPIC wishes to thank Torbay Council, the Torbay Hi-Tech Cluster, its funders, and its amazing businesses for their ongoing support.

EPIC is excited to welcome another new business into the centre. Photonics Express 

This company becomes the twelve tech business to be based within the centre.

Photonics Express are a specialist consulting and distribution company for laser materials processing. They work with clients to get them to market quicker, using their experience to rapidly identify equipment solutions and strategies.

They specialise in clean power applications that require high speed cutting, welding, drilling and marking.

Photonics Express distribute world class laser equipment and partner with leading UK automation system to enable UK supply chains.

To find out more please visit their page on the EPIC Community section of this website or their own website HERE.