Future Space, the business workspace for science and technology-led companies at UWE’s Frenchay Campus, has exceeded its targets 12 months after opening its doors.
The 4,100 sq m facility now has 27 companies, around 130 staff and is more than 60% occupied. When fully operational, it is expected to help create more than 500 jobs and generate more than £50m for the local economy. 
Future Space is designed to boost innovation, collaboration and inspiration with a range of dedicated, shared and co-working offices, labs, workshops, cafe, engagement spaces and meeting rooms.
UWE vice-chancellor prof Steve West described Future Space as a “shining example” of the region’s creativity and innovation.
“It is a fantastic addition to UWE and we are delighted to see so many businesses choosing to base themselves here since it opened 12 months ago,” he said.
“We are a ‘real world’ university, committed to giving students the skills they need to be work-ready, and playing a key role in helping to drive innovative business growth and ultimately the creation of new jobs.
“The West of England has the most successful economy of any region outside of London and is internationally recognised for its creativity and innovation. The region is also unique for its culture of collaboration between the public and private sectors and academia, and Future Space is a shining example of this.
“It’s a fantastic environment, with the businesses, students and research community all benefitting from the collaborative and entrepreneurial culture here.”
Future Space centre director Elaine McKechnie added: “Our intention is to become the number one location for science and technology businesses in the UK.
“The opportunity to work closely with UWE Bristol’s research community alongside like-minded businesses and industry partners, with access to fantastic laboratory facilities and flexible workspaces, make Future Space a compelling proposition for forward-thinking start-ups and SMEs.”
West of England Mayor Tim Bowles said: “The West of England Combined Authority’s vision for the region is to build on our strengths as a leader in innovation, high tech and creativity and continue to provide the support and conditions to nurture successful businesses.
“In just 12 months, Future Space is already showing that it can play a part in delivering this vision alongside other key players – it is proving to be a thriving place for science and technology businesses, offering the facilities they need and dynamic, collaborative working environment.”
- Businesses based at Future Space include:
- Open Bionics, which creates low-cost robotic prosthetic hands
- Reach Robotics, which creates multi-functional connected battle bots for gaming. Both have recently expanded
- Esoterix Systems, a specialist in demand responsive software for transport providers and one of the first companies to join. It works with UWE as one of its key partners, and is now expanding further
- HBXL – the market leader in construction software for small to medium sized businesses. It has worked in partnership with UWE to further develop its product range.
- TMSUK, a Japanese robot development company, which is launching its UK base at Future Space this month
- Rugged Interactive – the latest firm to join Future Space to expand its commercial team and build links within Bristol’s flourishing tech community.
- Pertinax Pharma – the first lab-based company to move into Future Space. Pertinax is a patent-protected, sustained release technology for chlorhexidine, a common antiseptic.
- Innaxon – a research-stage biomedical company investigating treatments for cancer and inflammatory diseases, based in shared laboratory space at Future Space.
Future Space is part of the University Enterprise Zone led by UWE Bristol, with support from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Future Space has been developed in collaboration with the LEP and the University of Bristol with strong support from South Gloucestershire Council, the University of Bath and the West of England Academic Health Science Network.
