Specialist laboratory facilities, services and support for Bristol’s expanding science and engineering ecosystem have come a step closer as construction of the city’s £6m deep tech incubator passes the half-way mark.
The 30,000 sq ft incubator in Old Market will house up to 250 highly skilled workers in the next generation of science and engineering companies. With the sector growing rapidly in the city, suitable space for start-ups and scale-ups is at a premium. 
The project is a partnership between Science Creates, the Bristol-based deep tech ecosystem, supported and backed by successful entrepreneurs, and the University of Bristol and includes funding from Research England.
The new centre also ties in with the university’s planned Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus development, which is expected to create employment and financial benefits estimated at £626m for the regional economy over the next decade.
Science Creates founder and CEO Dr Harry Destecroix said: “Bristol has all the elements a science company needs to grow and succeed, but I’ve learned first-hand the challenges companies face finding suitable space to locate their business.
“By working with our partners, we look forward to opening our new home for deep tech companies, who are working on major challenges, from improving healthcare to improving the environment around us.”
Due to open in November, the new space will provide 15 laboratories, offices, a community outreach ‘learning lab’ and events space in the former stationary warehouse on Midland Road.
University of Bristol vice-chancellor and president Prof High Brady said: “As we battle the pandemic and rely on the scientific discoveries that have led to new Covid-19 treatments and vaccines, this new partnership reflects our commitment to investing in research and facilities that underpin such important breakthroughs. 
“It also marks a significant milestone for the University and Science Creates in developing an inspiring new facility where universities and businesses work together on solutions to global challenges, at a time when they are most needed.”
Patrick Fallon, Lead Designer at Science Creates emphasises the important role the local community has played in the design of the space:
“It was a pleasure to work with the local community and incorporate the aspirations of the Old Market Neighbourhood Plan into our design.
“We want to make the space accessible and inviting, so we’ve created an active frontage to Midland Road, opening up the facade and locating the entrance facing the city, putting science front and centre.”
University of Bristol Research & Enterprise Development Director Dr Jon Hunt added: “This is an extremely exciting moment. Our relationship with Science Creates developed to a new level when we won a £1.5m capital grant from Research England to allow us to co-invest in their expansion plans.
“The grant also established a University Enterprise Zone aligned to the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.
“The last two years of close collaboration with Science Creates has led to a growth in science and engineering spin outs requiring laboratory space, beyond our office-based Engine Shed incubator.”
Science Creates grew out of the original incubator, Unit DX in St Phillips, that Dr Destecroix set up in collaboration with the University of Bristol in 2017 to commercialise companies like his own, Ziylo, which aimed to develop one of the first smart insulins to help people suffering with diabetes.
Ziylo was later sold to global healthcare company Novo Nordisk in a deal which could be worth around $800m (£628m).
As well as the University of Bristol and Research England, partners in the project include SAC Construction, Quartz Project Services, Oxford Architects, DW Engineers, Box Twenty Engineers, Ambivent, SEC, Tenos, Nash Partnership, Russel PC, law firm VWV and SETSquared.
