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WORLD LEADING BUSINESS SUPPORT

INCUBATION &
ACCELERATION
CENTRES

We help build your big ideas into investible, globally scalable tech start-ups

Content

Business support & mentoring

Content

Investor-readiness training

Content

Investor introductions

Content

Flexible office space

Access to training and events

 

About the programme

Our Business Acceleration Programme, which is delivered through six business incubation and acceleration centres connected to each of our university partners, incubates new high-growth ventures. We help you validate your thinking, build a team, find start-up funding and launch an investor-ready business. We create bespoke packages of business support to help each start-up become a viable, profitable and thriving business. It will include a blend of the support detailed below.

Start-up business support and mentoring

Establishing business connections, sharing industry experiences, building insightful relationships and gaining invaluable knowledge are all bedrocks for success.

Our industry specialists, talented entrepreneurs-in-residence, experienced mentors and seasoned investors, based at our six technology incubators, are the driving force behind ambitious tech start-ups with a vision to scale up into international markets. That’s why we carefully match your business venture with the right experts, so you get the highest level of structured coaching and strategic thinking to grow your business.

Each centre has its own curated list of SETsquared mentors; ex-professionals wanting to give them time back for free, who provide an additional layer of support along your business growth journey.

Get investor ready & investor introductions

Our investor track record is impressive – with £4.4bn investment raised since 2002.

We know that start-up funding will be one of your top priorities. That’s why our start-up incubation programme guides you seamlessly into investor readiness from business planning, investment strategy, sales, and team development.

Each of our centres has connections with local funds and Angel investment groups, so will be able to help you make those all-important investor connections. For example, SETsquared Surrey is directly connected to the S100 Angel Investment Club a strong and connected network of investors who regularly throughout the year review start-up pitches.

Centre members also have the opportunity to apply to take part in two major investment showcases every year, giving you a major platform to pitch your innovation to an audience of active technology investors and corporate venturing teams.

Creative working spaces

From hot-desking to flexible workspaces, our six technology incubators offer affordable office space to our entrepreneurs, so your ideas flourish and unique work relationships evolve.

Our high-quality, professional workspaces enable start-ups to thrive with 24/7 secure access to a full range of office support and resources within a vibrant entrepreneurial community. Or if you’ve already outgrown your office space, we can help with graduation add-on spaces.

Equally, if office space is not a requirement for your start-up, virtual membership is also available enabling you to tap into all the other resources available from SETsquared.

Access to discounted software & services

All of our programme members (Transforming Telecoms, The FWD Project, Hydrogen and Sustainable Transport Economy Accelerator etc.) can gain access to discounts on products and services with our commercial partners.

However, as a member of one of our Business Acceleration Centres, you have access to further discounts from big-name brands including AWS, Dell, Xero, Hubspot and more.

Our founders tell us that this is an important value-add to their membership, helping them save money and get access to software packages which can accelerate their product development.

SETsquared Business Acceleration Centres

Our Business Incubation and Acceleration Centres operate within and outside the universities of Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton, and Surrey. Our business incubation support and start-up investment have culminated in the creation of over 15,000 jobs with an economic impact of £15.7bn.

SETsquared Surrey

SETsquared Surrey

Surrey Technology Centre, Unit 56-57-58, 40 Occam Road, The Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey. GU2 7YG

Telephone: 01483 684041
Twitter: @SETsquaredSRY

Centre Director: Charlotte Watson
Email: [email protected]

Visit centre website
SETsquared Exeter

SETsquared Exeter

The Innovation Centre, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, Exeter. EX4 4RN

Exeter Science Park Centre, 6 Babbage Way, Clyst Honiton, Exeter EX5 2FN

Telephone: 01392 241455
Twitter: @SETsquaredExe

Centre Director: Joe Pearce
Email: [email protected]
Direct Line: 01392 241455

Visit centre website
SETsquared Bristol

SETsquared Bristol

Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol BS1 6QH

Telephone: 0117 903 1100
Twitter: @SETsquared_Br

Centre Director: Kimberley Brook
Email: [email protected]
Direct Line: 0117 915 1275

Visit centre website
SETsquared Bath

SETsquared Bath

University of Bath Innovation Centre, Ground Floor, Broad Quay, Bath. BA1 1UD

Twitter: @SETsquaredBath

Centre Director: Andrea Kelly
Email: [email protected]

Visit centre website
SETsquared Southampton

SETsquared Southampton

The University of Southampton Science Park Limited 2 Venture Road Chilworth Southampton Hampshire SO16 7NP

Twitter: @SETsquaredSoton

Centre Director: Robin Chave
Email: [email protected]

Visit centre website
SETsquared Cardiff

SETsquared Cardiff

Cardiff Innovations@sbarc sbarc | spark, Cardiff Innovation Campus, Maindy Road, Cardiff CF24 4HQ

Centre Director: Rhys Pearce-Palmer
Email: [email protected]

Visit centre website

Founder testimonials

SETsquared has been excellent – much of our current go-to-market strategy and all our fundraising strategy owes much to SETsquared’s contribution. Increasingly it also forms a community of company founders that I can refer to.

Chris McCormack, Alethium

“SETsquared has made a tangible benefit to our business. The Entrepreneur in Residence and Business Review Panel sessions enabled us to critically evaluate our business strategy with experienced entrepreneurs.”

Neciah Dorh, Fluoretiq

“SETsquared was instrumental in the early stages of the Company’s development, providing the resources and access to support for me to build a viable business plan for investment”

Eoin Sharkey, Biofactory

Who should apply?

Are you an ambitious student, academic, entrepreneur or start-up founder developing a new technology-based product or service? At SETsquared we can help transform your ideas into reality at one of our five business incubation centres.

We are always delighted to hear about great ideas for new technology businesses, but before applying, please consider our entry requirements:

  the idea must be knowledge-based (seeking to exploit intellectual property or novel information)

  the idea must have high commercial growth potential

  the idea must be genuinely original and appear capable of attracting investment

  the team involved in the venture must be open to outside support and advice and actively looking to accelerate their company to market.

Apply Now using the links below.

To apply to any of the SETsquared Centres please click the relevant button below

If you’d like to speak to one of the team at any of our Centres you will find their details on the Contact Us page.

 

Apply to Bath  Apply to Bristol Apply to Cardiff Apply to Exeter  Apply to Southampton  Apply to Surrey

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