University of the West of England UWE Ventures

Background & Context

The space is one aspect of a raft of Enterprise Activity at the University of the West of England. UWE Ventures is aimed at university staff, students, alumni and the local community. Participants generally can fit in well and collaborate with students.

The local Business Link team is located close to the space and, as well as supporting current clients at UWE Ventures, Business Link footfall encourages non-university collaboration.

What is it?

Up to 65 technology-rich, fully-furnished, air conditioned and managed office spaces within a business incubation centre on Bristol's historic harbour side - a place designed to support entrepreneurs and grow new and small businesses, products and innovations.

The Bush House location has been chosen as it is convenient for access to the Business Link services. The space is also conveniently located for business advisers and the location generally provides mutually beneficial linkages in the area.

What happens in the space?

UWE Ventures provides flexible and cost effective facilities, support and resources for small and start-up businesses. The site facilitates access to a dynamic, creative and supportive environment.

The space offers both residential and virtual space depending on the requirements of the client.

Residential incubation incorporates a full-time (available 24 hours per day) dedicated space within UWE Ventures. The space can cater for individual requirements and the Enterprise Team is available to provide tailored support. A 'virtual' service (where full-time accommodation in UWE Ventures is not required) is available to support individuals who are in the early stages of developing their enterprises. This option tends to appeal to those people who have not yet developed a business idea or are at an early stage of setting-up or trading.

The virtual space can also appeal to people who, for whatever reason, may be unable to make a full-time commitment to their business. It may be that clients are in employment and are working on their business on a part-time basis. Whilst not being physically resident at UWE Ventures, virtual incubatees can take advantage of core services including: business support; events and workshops as well as access to a dynamic business community.

Hot desking facilities are also available for those who prefer to have a mix of virtual and physical contact with UWE Ventures and for those that are not based in the Bristol area, but have a client base in the area and need the occasional work/meeting space.

A boardroom space is available as part of the facilities that are offered to all clients on a bookable basis. This is one of the attractive additional facilities available in the space, ideal for the businesses within the space to hold larger meetings with existing and prospective customers, give presentations, pitch ideas, etc. The boardroom is also available for private hire to local businesses needing a meeting space within the central Bristol area.