More than 100 innovative businesses have been supported by Future Space, the science hub launched five years ago by UWE Bristol, creating 400-plus high-value jobs between them, a new report shows.
One of four University Enterprise Zones (UEZ) set up across the country, Future Space aims to spark new ideas and opportunities by building bridges between innovative, fast-growth businesses, academic researchers and students.
It is managed for the university by Oxford Innovation and provides office space, labs, pictured, workshops and co-working space at the heart of UWE’s main Frenchay Campus.
Future Space businesses include university spin-outs and student start-ups as well as hi-tech, science-based businesses attracted from across the UK and internationally.
The new report from Oxford Innovation reveals that as well as supporting more than 100 businesses, Future Space has created 240 new products and services in the region.
Between them, its businesses have raised almost £45m in finance, created 427 jobs and contributed almost £17m to the local economy.
More than 40 UWE Bristol students have completed internships with these businesses, and more than 20 UWE Bristol graduates have gone on to be employed on a permanent basis.
As well as demonstrating the key role Future Space has played in powering innovation in the region, the report also highlights that this success has been achieved due to close collaboration between its members, with UWE itself and neighbouring hubs the Bristol Robotics Lab and the Health Tech Hub.
Oxford Innovation managing director Jo Stevens, pictured, said: “Oxford Innovation are delighted to partner with UWE Bristol at Future Space and very proud of what has been achieved there by the team, in supporting so many innovative businesses to grow and create so many new products and services.
“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.”
UWE Bristol pro vice-chancellor research and enterprise Martin Boddy, pictured, 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.
“We’re committed to working with and supporting businesses across the region, and Future Space has enabled us to do that on a much deeper level and with real impact.
“Future Space has provided many excellent opportunities for our students and the wider community. Joint research has created innovation and jobs, and it has played a huge part in us championing and driving innovation across the region.”
One business benefitting from being based at Future Space is Indus Fusion, which has developed an innovative vaccine preparation device. 
Co-founder Arthur Keeling, pictured, a former UWE Team Entrepreneurship student, said: “When I left university, I wanted to try out a few business ideas.
“Because of the connection between UWE and Future Space I was able to join the Launch Space incubator programme and get one-to-one mentoring and support to develop these ideas.
“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.
“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.
Its automated vaccine preparation device is currently being tested in NHS Covid-19 vaccine clinics, with early trials indicating a 40% increase in roll-out capacity.
Oxford Innovation’s report comes shortly after Bristol was named the most innovative city in the UK outside of London, while UWE appeared on a list of UK universities that have produced the most start-ups.
