SETsquared - a collaboration between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey - aims to accelerate the growth of innovation and technology businesses to stimulate economic growth in the region's economy. Around 80 per cent of the companies we support are from the wider business community, rather than spin-outs from the universities.

Here are the main ways in which the Partnership achieves this:

1.  Provide support services and office space

For early-stage technology companies with high growth potential, we provide support to help develop their ideas into viable trading businesses. We offer physical office space allowing companies to be situated with other businesses going through the same development curve and gain access to a range of centralised services a company would needs as they get started. We also provide a virtual environment for companies who need access to our services, without the need for desk space.

2.  Practical help from experienced entrepreneurs

We have a vibrant group of mentors who, as seasoned entrepreneurs and industry experts, can provide you with the knowledge and know-how needed to get a company off the ground.

3.  Help with access to funding

SETsquared has links with many funding agents and relationships with a wide range of business angels and venture capitalists across our region. The Partnership universities hold a number of funding showcases through the year, culminating in our annual Investment Showcase in London.

4.  Building businesses from university research

In addition to supporting external companies in their development, each of the Partnership universities has activities to identify, develop and spin out applied research with commercial applications. This could involve taking a technology and spinning it out into a new business, or finding an appropriate corporation to license the technology to extend the reach of their current offering.

5.  Accessing international markets

Often for technology businesses, international markets are as important, if not more important, than local markets. We provide support alongside other UK agencies to help your company develop traction overseas.