Reach Robotics, the company behind the world’s first gaming robot, is to become the first occupier of UWE’s Future Space innovation centre.
Currently undergoing high-grade refurbishment after internal remodelling, the former Hewlett Packard building at Filton will provide job-creating incubation space for start-ups and early-stage firms, helping them get off the ground.
It forms part of UWE’s new £16m University Enterprise Zone. Spread out over 2,424sq m on one floor, it will house 70 offices alongside co-working space and an atrium hub and cafe, bringing together business and academic expertise.
Aimed at occupiers with limited research and development budgets, there is also shared laboratory space, with advanced technical equipment and business support.
Britain’s leading operator of innovation centres, Oxford Innovation, has been appointed by UWE, which owns the building, to run the space.
Reach Robotics, which develops custom-designed gaming robots, has signed up to 111 sq m, with plans for a further 93 sq m next year, at the centre.
The 12-strong firm, backed by private investment, is poised to roll out its products on the international market as early as this December.
The firm was co-founded by chief executive Silas Adekunle after he graduated in robotics at UWE Bristol two years ago,
Its robots interact and battle with each other in real and virtual environments of the gamer’s choosing. In the future, users will be able to programme uniqueness in each robot.
Controlled by mobile devices, the figures merge augmented reality, robotics and entertainment in what Silas describes as a world first.
He said: “It was important for us here at Reach Robotics to remain loyal to Bristol, given the support we’ve already had from Bristol Robotics Lab and UWE Bristol.
“Our new address at Future Space means we can focus on work while the centre team at Oxford Innovation look after incoming calls, mail, cleaning, utilities and meeting room bookings, as well as supporting our growth with business support and strategic networks.”
Oxford Innovation’s newly-appointed regional manager for the West of England, Elaine McKechnie, added: “Reach Robotics is our first occupier and exemplifies the quality being drawn to Future Space.
“We are already seeing strong demand from a variety of exciting young businesses and we are looking forward to opening our doors to generate a high tech cluster of activity.
“This is the 21st innovation space that Oxford Innovation has been selected to operate in the UK; we deliver value and support for fledgling enterprises, revenue for owners and inward investment for local economies.
“With Reach Robotics’ arrival, Bristol’s powerhouse role in leading-edge British technology is underlined.
“There could well be upwards of 450 jobs created on site as part of the new University Enterprise Zone, with the beneficial knock-on effect of supporting employment in the supply chain and local economy.”
Led by UWE in partnership with the University of Bristol, the building is one of just four government-supported University Enterprise Zones in the UK, with the focus locally on businesses in robotics and autonomous systems, biosciences, health science and other related sectors.
UWE Pro Vice-Chancellor and commercial director Bill Marshall said: “The University Enterprise Zone will provide a cluster of businesses, with some of the brightest minds in the country under one roof.
“It will nurture entrepreneurs, such as Silas at Reach Robotics, and forge excellent collaboration with academics and business networks from the wider city region.
“Bristol is accelerating its international standing for its technology and creative industries, including gaming, virtual reality, robotics, hardware and telecommunications; the innovation centre will be a big part of that.”
The principal construction contractor on Future Space is BAM and the architect WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff. The building is on schedule to be handed over by August 15.
