Unlocking on-campus collaboration and innovation
In 2014, the University of the West of England (UWE, Bristol) was inspired to create one of the UK’s first University Enterprise Zones (UEZ).
To help achieve this ambition, Oxford Innovation Space worked with the team to support their approach to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. We advised on the business model, helped secure funding for the bid for the £16.5 million investment required for the new development and provided guidance on the configuration of the space.
To re-imagine a former Hewlett Packard fabrication facility, owned by the university. The key aim for the centre is to foster positive, productive relationships between the university and business and to support the commercial potential of emerging research.
To support the team with professional business and financial support around the business model for the centre, and how to secure appropriate funding for the new development.
- Quality facilities for high-tech companies
With a focus particularly on those in health & life sciences, robotics and advanced engineering, digital technology and green tech, the University Enterprise Zone (UEZ) provides the facilities and services that these organisations need. - Space for student entrepreneurs to develop
For the students, Future Space is somewhere they could develop the entrepreneurial skills that businesses within the UEZ are seeking and providing access to graduate talents for internships and employment. - A hub for collaboration
Future Space fosters collaborative research among businesses, researchers, and academics, propelling innovation through shared expertise and resources.
- A variety of spaces to work in
In addition to hot-desking, private offices, dedicated labs and co-working spaces, residents have access to specific microbiology and tissue culture labs and a lab supervisor. - Home to some of the best upcoming businesses in the area
Customers of the centre include AI, Computer Sciences & Data, and Health & Life Science businesses. With neighbours like UWE’s incubator Launch Space, Bristol Robotics Lab, and the Health Tech Hub, Future Space is certainly at the heart of a high-tech, robotics and disruptive tech cluster. - Attraction of high calibre graduates
Future Space provides a space that is successfully bridging the gap between the worlds of university and commercial business, embedding collaboration and skills development opportunities in everything it does. - Impactful growth in the local economy
Customers have raised more than £48m in funding, 305 new and improved products and services launched, 140 collaboration projects between FS customers and UWE Bristol academics.
"With guidance from Oxford Innovation Space, we've been able to unlock the full potential of our research initiatives and create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship."
"With guidance from Oxford Innovation Space, we've been able to unlock the full potential of our research initiatives and create a dynamic ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Their dedicated support and innovative approach have facilitated positive and productive relationships between our university and businesses. Oxford Innovation Space understands our vision and has provided invaluable resources and expertise to help us realise it."
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Innovators inspired
