New £800K Grant Builds Support for High Growth Startups

Devon based high growth tech businesses will be able to benefit from a new £800,000 grant award made to the University of Exeter as part of the recently announced £20m University Enterprise Zone awards.

The new funding will allow the SETsquared Exeter team, part of the SETsquared Partnership and the Global number one university incubator based at the Exeter Science Park Centre to build on their existing incubation services. These services include: supporting tech startups to develop robust businesses and access the experience, expertise and funding required to accelerate their growth.

The enhanced SETsquared Exeter support will provide a period free membership of the SETsquared programme at the Science Park Centre for selected businesses and support engagement with other regional business support projects such as the Environmental Futures and Big Data Impact Lab. 

The funding will enable the development of an improved co-working space and a technology supported working lab for SETsquared Exeter and Exeter Science Park clients to use. It also supports SETsquared Exeter clients to bid for funding that will allow experienced executives to work in the businesses for a short period providing growth and development expertise.

Speaking of the opportunities presented from the funding success, Dr Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Science Park Ltd said: “Exeter Science Park supports innovative STEMM companies to deliver extraordinary growth. Working with SETsquared Exeter, the new UEEZ with improved co-working facilities and a new technology centre will improve our incubation support helping more companies to grow, generating high-value jobs, enhancing productivity and improving economic growth in our region.”

The newly created University of Exeter Enterprise Zone (UEEZ) will enhance the SETsquared Exeter Business Foundations Programme, a bespoke programme of support especially tailored around a defined pathway for early stage, growth-focussed businesses. This programme is based on 14 key business foundation principles and will be delivered through a series of one-to one sessions, surgeries, seminars and workshops from our experienced Delivery Team of Entrepreneurs in Residence, Coaches and Professional Services Partners.

Speaking of the UEEZ and enhanced opportunities for new businesses, Ben Voysey, Incubation and Acceleration Manager for SETsquared Exeter said: “The University of Exeter Enterprise Zone will allow us to launch a broader range of high quality programmes and services for early stage businesses as well as providing exceptional opportunities for collaborative working. When combined with our existing offering this will provide a comprehensive package of business acceleration support services to clients at all stages of their development.”

Joe Pearce, Head of SETsquared Exeter added: “Exeter is fast becoming a recognised hub for STEMM companies, with Exeter Science Park at the core of this. The enhanced support that we are able to provide innovative companies, thanks to backing from the Enterprise Zone will heighten Exeter’s economy dramatically.”

For more information on SETsquared Exeter’s business and incubation services visit the website.