University of Southampton, SETsquared Business Acceleration
Contact Details: |
David Bream, Centre Director |
Type of Project: |
At the time of the visit by JISC infoNet in early 2010 the Business Acceleration Centre was situated within Research & Innovation Services in an existing building on the University's Highfield Campus. The space was not built for purpose but was well geared up for the activities that went on within it with meeting rooms, reception facility, kitchen, broadband, wireless data and telecoms. The space was also in a good location for access to Southampton's City Centre and transport links. SETsquared is now located in the University of Southampton Science Park. The Science Park is a 45 acre development with close links to main transport routes. |
Start/End Date: |
SETsquared originally set up a centre on the Highfield Campus at the University of Southampton in June 2003. Southampton SETsquared moved from its home within Research & Innovation Services to its current location of the University of Southampton Science Park, Chilworth, Southampton, in June 2010. The Science Park has seen some major development on a phased basis since The Science Park Company was formed in 1983. The latest new development was completed in 2009. |
Background & Context
SETsquared partnership
The Southampton centre is one of four centres run by the four partners in SETsquared - the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey. There is a standard overall SETsquared ethos but each SETsquared space is unique in its own way.
The SETsquared model provides flexible office space to both university spin-outs and external start-ups. It then supports the enterprises by offering opportunities to access university resources, and develop knowledge in the writing of business plans, conducting market research and pitching to investors.
In an interview in The Daily Telegraph in February 2010 David Bream, Director of SETsquared Southampton, explained that the initiative could be run, '...on a very, very low cost model because the output is very high quality. That quality attracts the technology mentors and the professional service advisers who offer their help for free'. (Source: Telegraph.co.uk)
What is it?
It is a SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre based at the University of Southampton. The space works to the standard SETsquared Business Acceleration model for virtual, pre-incubation and incubation stage companies.
SETsquared offers affordable and flexible work space and additional support (including proactive business development advice).
Entrepreneurs who sign up to SETsquared are provided with business mentoring; funding routes and advice; access to industry specialists and business mentors as well advice and guidance from local professional service firms as well as the opportunity to tap into 'academic expertise, specialist facilities, first class graduates and internship schemes'.
The Centre provides meeting rooms; broadband; wireless data and telecoms.
The Centre is located at 2 Venture Road, University of Southampton Science Park, Chilworth, Southampton, which is home to many large, successful university spin-out companies such as Ilika Technologies Ltd and Karus Therapeutics Ltd and also the Chilworth Business Incubator.
There is a two-tiered fee structure offered:
There are different classifications of membership; members can be (prices accurate as at 2010):
- Centre Members (For £150 per month per desk, eligible companies can access all of the services and also have a desk within the modern office accommodation in the Innovation Centre. They also have access to break-out rooms and internet facilities)
or
- Virtual Members (For £100 per month, eligible companies can benefit from being part of the entrepreneurial community and have access to SETsquared services)
Some of the companies originate from the local community but university spinouts are involved too, some have labs on campus - in what was previously the Chemistry Building.
The enterprise ventures supported by the Centre are largely technology related; software, telecoms and data security are featured quite heavily in the activity within the Centre at Southampton.
The Centre accepts very small companies (of up to 3 people).
What happens in the space?
SETsquared Southampton offers space and facilities for business incubation.
Meeting rooms; broadband wireless data and telecoms are all offered as part of the package as well as support from experts and mentors who are internal and external to the University. Sixteen mentors were attached to the Centre at the time of JISC infoNet's visit in early 2010.
Standard SETsquared Business Acceleration Model for virtual, pre-incubation and incubation stage companies.
A wide variety of events, workshops and seminars (on subjects such as company law and recruitment and selection) as well as investment readiness programmes and introductions across multiple networks are organised for members.
SETsquared caters for members who are located in the physical space as well as those in virtual spaces, working remotely and using technology to connect.
Additional space
SETsquared, is a campus partner, alongside Southampton Council, University of Southampton and others, in Millbrook Technology Campus.
The Millbrook Technology Campus has technology clusters and is geared up for higher end technology activity. The SETsquared business acceleration space tends to offer more traditional office space. Some companies choose to move from SETsquared to Millbrook as their requirements develop. The facilities on the main campus continue to be available to them so, for instance, a company based at Millbrook could book the SETsquared boardroom for meetings, etc.
Further details
Email David Bream, Centre Director, Telephone +44 (0)7545 423694
Email Liz Roe - Liz spends 50% of her time working for SETsquared and 50% working with the R&IS Marketing Team.
Address: SETsquared Southampton, 2 Venture Road, University of Southampton Science Park, Chilworth, Southampton, SO16 7NP
Website: www.setsquared.co.uk
