SETsquared, the centre for innovative part run by the University of Bristol, has been named as the top university business incubator in Europe and second best in the world.
In a ranking published by the University Business Incubator (UBI) Index, SETsquared, whose Bristol base is at the Engine Shed at Temple Meads, is placed among the world’s leading three incubators. 
Dhruv Bhatli, co-founder and director of research at UBI Index, said: “SETsquared did really well on our Global Benchmark and beat numerous business incubators based at top universities. They are one of the best incubation places in the world and certainly the best in Europe, as evidenced from their performance on our global benchmark.
“It is an outstanding business incubator that provides exceptional quality to its client companies and produces growth companies and high economic impact.”
The ranking put SETsquared ahead of SCUT Science Park at South China University of Technology and just behind number one, The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Rice University Houston.
SETsquared, which specialises in accelerating technology businesses, says its position reflects the impressive economic value of the client companies it has helped build since its launch 11 years ago. It has worked with more than 1,000 hi-tech start-ups that have raised investment worth £1bn-plus.
SETsquared success stories include companies that have developed swine flu detection kits, microchips that speed up connection to the internet, and security systems that protect against terrorism without impeding world trade.
SETsquared innovation director Simon Bond said: “It’s an honour and validates our focus and commitment to entrepreneurs and the businesses that they create.
“The high ranking also comes with responsibility – the UBI Index highlights that Europe’s university business incubators have to work more effectively in order to compete on the world stage. SETsquared must now reach out to like-minded organisations to form partnerships and collaborations that add value for our entrepreneurs and client businesses.
UBI Index is the first global index to benchmark performance and best practices of University Business Incubators. Around 800 incubators in 60 countries were involved in the 2014 survey. The UBI Index ranked SETsquared as the fourth best globally. The other universities in the network are Bath, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey.
