John Cassy 

‘Brainy building’ for Silicon Fen

Silicon Fen, the area around Cambridge that is home to some of Britain's fastest growing hi-tech firms, is poised to have its first stock market- listed "intelligent building".
  
  


Silicon Fen, the area around Cambridge that is home to some of Britain's fastest growing hi-tech firms, is poised to have its first stock market- listed "intelligent building".

EuroTelecom, a recently floated supplier of broadband infrastructure to futuristic buildings that house internet incubators and software development houses, is close to buying 49% of QTon, a company which part-owns a state of the art £10m business support centre in Cambridge. EuroTelecom is also thought to be close to finalising a supply contract with serviced-offices group Regus worth around £50m over three years.

QTon is owned by 27-year-old entrepreneur Amanda Staveley and is developing the £10m QTon Forum on the Cambridge Science Park in conjunction with Trinity College.

The building - due to be complete in August - aims to provide fledgling hi-tech businesses with telecoms links, networking, video conferencing and meeting facilities under one roof.

The Cambridge area has thrown up several world class hi-tech firms in recent years, including the multi-billion pound duo of Arm Holdings and Autonomy Corporation.

Ms Staveley hopes the next generation of technology stars will use her purpose-built facilities rather than convert their own office space.

EuroTelecom, advised by broker Beeson Gregory, is understood to be paying about £2m for the 49% QTon stake.

EuroTelecom raised £17.25m from its recent flotation to fund joint ventures, acquisitions and provide working capital for new projects. Its shares closed last night at 150p.

 

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