UWE Bristol’s Future Space start-up hub creates nearly 1,000 jobs in decade

The innovation centre at Frenchay campus is marking its 10th anniversary

A university start-up hub has created nearly 1,000 jobs and contributed £56m to the economy since it was established a decade ago, those behind the initiative have said.

Future Space, the University of the West of England’s (UWE Bristol) innovation centre, was founded in 2016 as part of the Government’s University Enterprise Zone programme. The hub is based at Frenchay campus and offers workspace, university research facilities and business support to start-up and high-growth companies.

Since its founding, Future Space has generated more than £136m in investment and grants, according UWE, and assisted 178 businesses – from robotics to AI to biotech firms – to launch some 588 products.

The centre is managed in partnership with Oxford Innovation Space.

Professor Matt Freeman, centre director of Future Space, said: “Over the last decade, Future Space has become a place where businesses, researchers and student talent stop operating in separate worlds and start innovating together.

“Our impact figures tell a story of hundreds of new products and innovations, almost a thousand jobs, over £136m of investment secured, and thousands of moments where researchers, students, founders and partners have come together to turn ideas into real-world impact.”

The companies Future Space has supported include Albotherm, which offers temperature-responsive greenhouse coatings to support sustainable farming, and cell and gene therapy business eXmoor Pharma.

Another is SAH Diagnostics, which delivers specialist cancer diagnostic services to 34 NHS trusts and hospitals across the UK.

After three years at Future Space developing the world’s first mobile urology unit, SAH Diagnostics has recently opened a new cancer diagnostic centre in Bradley Stoke.

The company has supported the treatment of more than 400,000 patients to date, partnering with UWE Bristol to develop community outreach programmes and working towards an accredited training and education programme.

Tracey John, director of research and external engagement at UWE Bristol, said: “Future Space demonstrates the vital role universities can play in driving innovation, supporting business growth and creating opportunities for people and communities.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we are also celebrating Bristol’s strength as a city of innovation – one that continues to show how partnerships between universities and businesses can help address some of society’s biggest challenges while creating sustainable economic growth.”

In the last year, over 400 UWE Bristol students have engaged with businesses based at Future Space through student projects, funded internships and part-time roles, according to the university.

Jo Stevens, managing director at Oxford Innovation Space, added: “At Oxford Innovation Space, we believe that when innovative businesses are given the right environment to grow, they create jobs, attract investment and strengthen local economies.

“Future Space is a fantastic example of this in action. Over the past 10 years, it has become a catalyst for innovation-led growth in the West of England, helping ambitious founders turn ideas into successful businesses and delivering significant economic impact for the region.”