The Bristol centre at the forefront of innovation in business

Launched in 2016, Future Space was designed to build bridges between startups and academic institutions to foster innovation and opportunities in business.

Five years on and the centre, based at UWE Bristol’s Frenchay campus, has supported more than 100 companies to create some 240 new products and services and contributed almost £17m to the local economy, according to a new report.

One of four University Enterprise Zones (UEZ) set up across the country, Future Space is managed by Oxford Innovation and provides office space, labs, workshops, and co-working space for university spinouts, student startups and businesses in the tech and science sectors.

Between them, companies based at the Frenchay centre have raised almost £45m in finance and created 427 jobs in the last five years, says the new report from Future Space.

Speaking about the achievements, Jo Stevens, managing director for Oxford Innovation, said: “Innovation is the lifeblood of growth in the UK and Future Space is a great example of the impact that can be achieved through real collaboration between academia and business. We can’t wait to see what the next five years will bring.”

The report highlights the importance of collaboration between Future Space members, UWE and the neighbouring Bristol Robotics Lab and the Health Tech Hub.

Indus Fusion is one of the businesses that has been supported by the specialist eco-system. The company has developed an automated vaccine preparation device that is currently being tested in NHS Covid-19 vaccine clinics, with early trials indicating a 40 per cent increase in roll-out capacity.

Arthur Keeling, a co-founder of Indus Fusion started out as a student at UWE Bristol and went on to join the Launch Space incubator programme.

“Once we’d developed our ideas into a clear business plan, we were able to apply for funding and investment, which enabled us to grow,” said Arthur.

“We moved into Future Space permanently, where we were able to tap into support from the Bristol Robotics Lab to scope out ideas and access equipment.”

Indus Fusion is now focusing on how automation can improve the service in sectors such as food, health and care.

Aimee Skinner, the innovation manager at Future Space, says the centre is quite unique in the wealth of opportunities, collaboration, resources and skills development it offers.

“Onsite innovation and business support services mean that we can work closely with our members to understand what they need, and through the combination of the onsite OI team, UWE Bristol, and the local ecosystem, we are never in short supply of expertise, facilities or events that can help shape their growth,” said Aimee.

Future Space has supported more than 100 companies to create some 240 new products and services – photo: Future Space

Martin Boddy, the pro vice-chancellor for research and enterprise at UWE added: “UWE Bristol is particularly proud of Future Space, the businesses it supports and the links that we have built between leading-edge, high-tech businesses, university researchers and our students.

“Joint research has created innovation and jobs, and it has played a huge part in us championing and driving innovation across the region.”

Main photo of the Future Space team at last year’s local SPARKies Awards: Future Space

Read more: Bristol named as one of the UK’s fastest-growing tech cities 

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