INSIGHTS / News

Nick Adkins, Contracts Manager at JCA; Dr Harry Destecroix, Director at Unit DX; Monika Radclyffe, Centre Director at SETsquared Bristol

Good news for scientific entrepreneurs in the city.

Construction has begun on Unit DX, a new lab space and science incubator in central Bristol, 10 minutes’ walk from Bristol Temple Meads and the Engine Shed. This brings much needed facilities and support to the growing number of entrepreneurs in the city, adding a new scientific dimension to the already thriving Bristol tech scene. Unit DX is announced in partnership with Global No.1 university-led business incubator, SETsquared.

Monika Radclyffe, Centre Director at SETsquared Bristol said: “I am very excited that SETsquared will be working with Unit DX to increase access to laboratory space and to provide tailored support for scientific enterprise. We look forward to supporting innovative technologies in the life sciences sector and help Unit DX companies scale their businesses with our proven incubation model.”

Of the 183,000 life sciences jobs in the UK, over half of these are located in the ‘golden triangle’ of London, Cambridge and Oxford. Unit DX will help to ‘translate’ Bristol’s scientific research into commercial business opportunities.

Nishan Canagarajah, Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Bristol, said: “We are very pleased to be working with Unit DX to augment Bristol’s scientific facilities which will significantly enhance the city’s attractiveness as a location for start-ups and spin-outs.”

Unit DX is also working in partnership with Invest Bristol and Bath (IBB). Rick Chapman, High Tech Sector Specialist at IBB said: “We’re delighted to be supporting Unit DX as this incubator space will be a great asset to the city, further strengthening our position as a leading destination not only for the tech community, but also the scientific community. We’ve been linking them into our networks and connecting them to key stakeholders to support the venture and will continue to work with them as they become a key partner for our soft landing of new investors to the region.”

The facility will provide entrepreneurs with 10,000 sq. ft. of high end laboratory space and another 5000 sq. ft. of office facilities to support cutting edge technologies. Unit DX will also provide access to mentoring and business support, as well as links to investors and industry networks through its partnerships.

Jack Allan, Economic Development Manager, Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone said: “Incubator facilities have a key role to play in helping business ideas take off and stimulating and supporting entrepreneurship.”

Unit DX will open its doors in early 2017. Further information can be found at www.unitdx.com