Could Terry Matthews's venture fund invest in Technium projects?

Work on six of the centres costing �47m is due to begin next year, with four grouped around Swansea concentrating on biotechnology, digital media and energy sectors.

The aim is to cluster companies in order to share expertise, knowledge and information, then the centre will spawn sister versions around the country.

A �16m AutoTechnium for the automotive sector is sited at Pembrey, where there is already a motor racing circuit used by Swansea Institute students.

Venture capital

The project was unveiled by WDA chairman Sir David Rowe-Beddoe and billionaire telecoms entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews.

The founder of Newbridge Networks, whose Celtic Manor resort was last week declared the winner of the 2010 Ryder Cup, already has a venture capital arm in Celtic House, which offers early-stage funding to technology entrepreneurs.

Mr Rowe-Beddoe said: "Technium aims to answer the needs of business and industry and that partnership between the private and public sector is providing the impetus needed.

Swansea docks will be 'transformed,' say planners

"It is the catalyst for economic change and heralds the beginning of a new phase in our programme to boost innovation and encourage entrepreneurship."

Development manager Professor Mark Clements said: "Companies in Technium are exclusively in the knowledge economy, so they depend on new ideas for their future development and growth.

"Where better than a university with an active research activity to seek those ideas and develop them to create the industries of tomorrow?"

Docks facelift

The Swansea pilot has been running for four months, despite Monday's official opening, and hosts companies including digital media production house s8080.

Operating a little like an incubator, companies are provided with a broad spectrum of on-site business and technical support including financial and legal advice.

While the docks in Cardiff have been rejuvenated with a multi-million pound series of apartments and retail and leisure complexes, the seafront initiative in Swansea - often regarded as missing out on investment - will be replete with new technology.

Cash will be poured into the Prince of Wales dock and developers have said the old architectural character of the area will remain a key element of the project.