University of Southampton Science Park marks 40 years of innovation
Technology may have moved on exponentially over the last 40 years, but there’s one place on the South Coast that’s kept pace. In 2023, as the University of Southampton Science Park celebrates its 40th anniversary, it has never been more influential in placing the region on the UK’s innovation map.
In the early 1980’s shuttles were finding their way to space for the first time, while down on planet earth, MTV, CD players, personal computers and camcorders began to find their way into our homes. It was then that, in a little leafy corner of Hampshire, the idea of a home for science and technology companies in the south became a reality.
Southampton Science Park, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, has been a flagship for South Coast innovation ever since. So much so, that it was recently recognised as Commercial Landlord of the Year at the South Coast Property Awards.
Today, the Park offers a wide range of quality commercial offices, laboratories, meeting and conferencing facilities in 19 properties set in 75 acres. The employees of its 100 resident businesses benefit from coffee shops, early-years childcare, a gym, plenty of healthy open space and an historic conservation area to enjoy.
Its location in Chilworth couldn’t be more convenient for employee wellbeing, just minutes away from the vibrant coastal scene and the New Forest and South Downs National Parks, while the port, airport, motorways and rail networks, that provide superb commercial connectivity to London, the rest of the UK and Europe, are a mere stone’s throw.
I A centre for innovation
There’s no doubt that Southampton Science Park is a prestigious environment from which to do business but what is it that’s made it so exceptional for so long? Chief Executive, Dr Robin Chave, explains: “We have never been about just giving businesses a physical base from which to operate. A big part of what we do here is to foster the growth of innovative technology businesses and the wider regional economy. We welcome entrepreneurial people with great ideas and businesses at all stages and work with them in a number of ways to give them every opportunity to compete on the world stage.
“We do this through retaining close links to the research-intensive University of Southampton – a global top 100 university and founder member of the celebrated Russell Group – and its graduate talent pool. This close connection provides a logical location for the commercialisation of research and spinouts from the University. We also run multiple business support schemes and encourage knowledge share via a business and social events programme.
“Last but not least, our onsite leadership team has extensive commercial experience in both public and private sectors across the SME and corporate landscape which means that we speak the language of science and technology, of research and innovation, and of commercial success. We understand the needs of innovative companies and work hard to ensure that these needs are met, remaining flexible in our support when needed.”
I Supporting businesses
Business support is a core component of the Park, and therefore its resident businesses’ success. Focused on connecting business founders with mentors, advisors and investors, schemes range from one-to-one growth clinics and informal CEO breakfasts to structured coaching programmes like its business accelerator, Catalyst. Launched over ten years ago, Catalyst has so far worked with 83 companies, helping them to secure over £48m early-stage funding and creating over 230 jobs. The Science Park is also home to the globally renowned business incubator, SETsquared, which offers bespoke support for growing member businesses alongside physical space in an Incubation Centre.
It’s an approach that works exceptionally well. The Science Park delivers an estimated £350m in gross value added to the local economy, and, despite shifts towards hybrid working practices, occupancy levels remained consistent throughout the pandemic and are at their highest level for a decade.
As well as being named Commercial Landlord of the Year, it has also been recognised as a regional ‘Jewel in the Crown’, with the Local Enterprise Partnership noting that it is an “outstanding asset that plays a significant role in contributing to the economy and wellbeing of communities and offers a unique array of benefits to the wider region, making it a vibrant place to live, work and invest”.
I New initiatives
In its 40th year, Southampton Science Park will not be resting on its laurels as it continues to invest in responding to evolving commercial and environmental needs.
This year, a brand-new Engineering Centre will be unveiled; a development which will provide high-quality workshops and offices, and accommodate a Future Towns Innovation Hub, an industry-academic centre of excellence which aims to help make our towns happier, healthier, and cleaner places to live. Work conducted here will address the important challenges of energy-efficient housing, water conservation, sustainable transport, carbon-neutral waste management and recycling, and improving health outcomes.
Chave is highly enthusiastic about this prospect. “We are uniquely positioned to host this new facility and delighted to be at the forefront of this exciting initiative. I’m confident that the positive societal impacts arising from the work conducted in this new centre will resonate significantly beyond our region’s boundaries and for generations to come,” he said.
With sustainable development at the forefront of future planning, the Science Park is also working to minimise its environmental impacts and reach net zero carbon for scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 2030. This work includes investing in solar power, higher-grade insulation and LED lighting. It hopes to take resident employees on this journey too, with a number of initiatives designed to encourage alternative commuting practices including a Science Park bus service, car share scheme, bookable on-demand hybrid vehicles and a rollout of EV charge points.
Meanwhile, across the Park today, some of the south’s best businesses are using emerging technologies to solve the critical conundrums of our time. AI-powered health monitoring, gas network optimisation, nanoclay orthopaedic treatment, solar power expansion, listener-adaptive 3D audio experiences, mission-critical software, speciality optical fibres, offshore energy, drug discovery, spacecraft propulsion, digital signage, air cargo drones and many, many more exciting concepts are emanating from companies there.
There can be no doubt that Southampton Science Park will retain its reputation for shaping and enabling South Coast innovation another 40 years from now.
