Science Creates, the deep tech ecosystem that nurtures science and engineering startups and businesses, today opened its second specialized incubator space in Bristol.
This will be the home of a new generation of scientists –
The incubator, located at the Old Market in Bristol city centre, provides an additional 30,000 square meters of state-of-the-art labs, offices and event space to support the growth of deep tech startups. The opening follows the success of Science Creates’ first incubator in St Philips, which is operating at full capacity and has since established a reputation in Bristol as a hub for science and engineering startups. Both incubators, operated in partnership with the Universities of Bristol and Research England, bring Science Creates’ physical footprint to 45,000 square feet, supporting around 100 companies, with the potential to create up to 450 job.
In 2020, Science Creates also launched a dedicated venture fund, Science Creates Ventures, which has gone on to lead multiple rounds and, together with incubators, create the possibility for more ambitious companies and to raise capital they need.
Science Creates is currently incubating some of the most exciting deep tech companies in the country and has raised £18.4 million by 2021. Some examples include:
- Imophoron, a biotech startup from the University of Bristol, is developing a new next-generation rapid-response vaccine platform. It has raised £4 million, led by Science Creates Ventures.
- CytoSeek The University of Bristol is developing new cell therapies to treat solid tumours. It raised £3.5 million in March, in a round led by Science Creates Ventures.
- KETS Quantum Security – also a product of the University of Bristol, develops hardware to protect data from a new generation of cyberattacks that can use quantum computers to circumvent all existing encryption protections. It raised £3.1m in August.
- QLM . Technology – a startup with a mission to help organizations achieve net zero emissions. Its quantum-inspired technology can detect large emitters of methane and other key greenhouse gases from a safe distance. It raised £3.1m in April.
“This is where Science Creates comes in. We have two purpose-built incubators, a venture capital firm that funds early-stage startups, and a network of mentors and mentors that have an specific, relevant experiences – all of which are crucial for business growth and innovation.”
Dr Xiao Ai, CTO and co-founder, said: “At QLM, we are innovating and developing technology to deliver solutions to the critical problem of reducing emissions. All startups need support, especially those developing hardware. To start and grow a software company, you usually don’t need a lot of physical infrastructure as it can all be done remotely and in the cloud. But engineering high-tech products like ours that combine software and analysis with photonics and electromechanical systems is a bigger challenge. We needed specialized lab space, infrastructure, access to experienced professionals like engineering contractors with specific expertise, and access to talent and collaborators from universities. study and research organization. Science Creates has provided for all of these critical needs and has allowed us to help make Bristol a hub for innovation and technical product development. ”
Professor Philip Taylor, Vice-Chancellor of the Department of Research and Enterprise at the University of Bristol, said: “This new purpose-built incubator is a huge driver for the region. It also demonstrates the remarkable combination of scientific talent, technological innovation and business growth that we have in the city, underpinned by our Science Creates partners.
“As we face a myriad of unprecedented global health and environmental challenges, it focuses on the importance of deep technology incubators that can accelerate progress in the lab. to provide solutions to problems that potentially affect us all.”
Science Creates has grown out of the original incubator Harry set up in 2017 after discovering there were no homes for science companies in the city. One of its first inhabitants was Ziylo, a biotech working to develop one of the first smart insulins to help people with diabetes. In 2018, it was purchased by pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk in a potentially $800 million deal. It was from this point that Harry saw an opportunity to expand his incubator into an ecosystem that invests and supports other exciting deep tech innovations.
