News / Future Space
£1.3m funding for Bristol firms driving innovation
An award of £1.3m for companies based at Future Space has been described as “a testament to the pioneering work” ongoing in the hub.
A raft of firms currently in residence at UWE Bristol’s science and tech hub have secured Innovate UK coronavirus grants, created by the Government to support businesses driving innovation and development.
The companies to have been awarded funding include biodevice tech IP specialist BiotIP; digital experts 500More; pioneers in cyber-physical operating systems Indus Four; software solutions provider HBXL; mass spectrometry experts Mass Spec Analytical; D scanning and software engineering firm OR3D; and eco-technology provider to the transport and aviation industries Intercede Ventures.
In addition, transport solutions innovator Esoterix was one of 25 organisations to snap up a share of a £9.4m pot from the Department of Transport, delivered by Innovate UK in its 2020 First of a Kind competition, which encourages innovation in the rail industry. The £370,000 grant has enabled Esoterix to recruit four new members of staff to support with the project, which will be completed by the end of March 2021.
An award of £1.3m for companies based at Future Space has been described as “a testament to the pioneering work” ongoing in the hub
Future Space centre director Laura Crocken Stevens said: “It’s testament to the pioneering work ongoing here at Future Space that these innovation-driven grants and funding have been received by our customers and we look forward to seeing what the next phase brings.
“We have been focused on assisting all our resident businesses through lockdown. Every company has a different story to tell. For our lab customers it was essential for us to maintain access to Future Space to continue important research work and others needed assistance to take advantage of Government support measures.”
Another Future Space resident Service Robotics, the company behind GenieConnect®, the companion robot that helps older adults live independently in their homes through voice-enabled face-to-face video support, successfully completed a second seed funding round amounting to £600,000.
Professor Martin Boddy, pro vice-chancellor for research and enterprise at UWE Bristol and a key founder of Future Space, added: “There’s no doubt that Covid-19 has created unexpected challenges, with the situation still evolving. Future Space businesses have, however, shown great resilience in the face of these challenges and continue to innovate and grow.
“These funding awards are great news and we look forward to seeing the emergence of ground-breaking work as a result. Future Space has become synonymous with excellence in innovation, demand for our space and facilities remains buoyant and we look forward to continuing growth and development.”
The hub last year posted record results, with over £9m of regional Gross Value Added in its third year of operation.
All photos courtesy of Future Space
Read more: Fuelling innovation in Bristol
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