Rugged Interactive, the innovative exercise equipment firm that appeared on Dragons’ Den earlier this year, has become the latest business to move into Bristol’s new tech and science hub Future Space.
It has taken space in the new facility on UWE’s Frenchay campus, to expand its commercial team and build links within Bristol’s flourishing tech community. 
The company, whose manufacturing base is in Fowey, Cornwall, doubled in size last year and is forecast to do the same this year, hitting the £1m turnover mark.
Its founders were offered a £100,000 investment by ‘Dragons’ Deborah Meaden and Peter Jones in exchange for a 30% stake when they appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den earlier this year. However, neither side progressed the offer.
Rugged Interactive, which was set up by Simon Heap and Harry Stevens, sells largely to trampolining centres, gyms and primary schools. Its colourful interactive fitness equipment combines exercising and gaming and provides an alternative to traditional gym equipment.
The company is keen to boost its sales to existing markets and explore new markets such as elderly care homes and rehabilitative centres.
The base at Future Space will allow its sales team easier access to the rest of the UK.
Mr Stevens said: “We were really keen to move into Future Space for two reasons – we needed a commercial office to work alongside our manufacturing base in Cornwall.
“Bristol is perfect geographically as it’s not too far from Cornwall but is easily accessible from the rest of the UK.
“We were also keen to tap into Bristol’s strong network of emerging hi-tech companies. So basing ourselves at a science and tech hub like Future Space made perfect sense.”
Run by Oxford Innovation, Future Space aims to connect entrepreneurs and tech pioneers with scientists, researchers and graduate talent to spark collaboration, innovation and growth.
It offers office space and laboratories to rent on flexible terms and tenants also benefit from a range of business support services such as financial planning and marketing advice from industry experts and also access to investor networks.
Centre director Elaine McKechnie said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Rugged Interactive to our growing list of clients.
“As a fast growth tech company, doing something truly innovative in the health and fitness sector, it is a perfect fit for Future Space, with its focus on science and tech companies. We hope their new office in Future Space will support them in the next phase of their growth.”
Future Space is now at nearly two thirds occupancy, with nearly 30 clients, having opened last August as part of the £16m West of England University Enterprise Zone which provides facilities and services to companies specialising in robotics, biosciences, medical technologies and other hi-tech sectors.
