Skip to main content Go to Site Map
Innovation Studio

Industry-engagement and our strong maker culture puts collaboration at the heart of everything we do.

Access Lifts

Engineering a new type of boat lift. Supported by European Regional Development Funding (ERDF).

Access Lifts is a specialist firm in central Dorset offering a wide range of access solutions for different modes of transport. Understanding that wheelchair users find it increasingly difficult to access transport, the company produce a variety of options, including bespoke designs. In particular, they specialise in disabled access lifts for boats and yachts.

In 2018, Access Lifts were awarded AUB-ERDF innovation funding to further develop a prototype of a new lift design that’s unique to the market.

You can find out more about their work here.

European Regional Development Funds

This project is supported through match-funding by the England European Regional Development Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020. This fund was established by the European Union to help local areas stimulate their economic development. This investment will help to support innovation, businesses, skills and employment to improve local growth and create jobs. For more information visit www.gov.uk/european-growth-funding.

Explore the Innovation Studio

Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an exterior wall with two reverse-L shaped windows and three semi-circle panels visible. A person walks past towards the right.

Overview

The Innovation Studio operates as a lab for creative technologies, a nucleus for start-ups and enterprises, and an industry engagement hub.
Animation of a pink and blue bird, watching a sunset

Projects

Take a look at some of our recent collaborative projects with external partners and businesses
An assortment of coloured circles connected by lines scattered on a white background.

Collaborate with us

There are many ways to work with us – we can give you access to our equipment and expertise
Sunseeker employee working on schematics of a boat

Associate Programme

Our Associate Programme offers membership of our Innovation Studio to regional businesses seeking research and development support.
People gathering around a table with models and photographs

Residency Programme

Our Residency Programme offers membership of our Innovation Studio individuals, start-ups and SMEs developing new products or services.
Innovation Studio, photographed by Richard Bryant. Photo of an interior space, with several people sat working at tables. A rectangle-shaped railing is in the middle of the room.

Industry-standard resources

The Innovation Studio features state-of-the-art equipment and digital resources, and the latest manufacturing technology.