Since launching in 2002, SETsquared Bristol’s 270 members have raised a combined half a billion pounds. This significant amount of investment has contributed to Bristol being named the ‘third top UK city for investment’ and one of ‘Europe’s top scaling tech cities’ (Tech Nation Report).
In 2020 SETsquared Bristol was named ‘Hottest Accelerator in Europe’ by The Europas, beating big London and European players to put the regional brand on the European stage.
ABOUT SETSQUARED BRISTOL
SETsquared Bristol is part of the SETsquared Partnership, an enterprise between the five-leading research-led UK universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey. The Partnership is ranked the Global Number 1 University Business Incubator for its wide range of highly acclaimed support programmes.
As the largest centre in the Partnership, SETsquared Bristol has over 80 member companies at any one time, both resident and virtual. Its members come from its parent company, the University of Bristol, and from outside the University, across over 25 different sectors.
THE PROGRAMME
SETsquared Bristol is proud to support technology that changes the world. Its founders drive this change across four key parts of their business (product, market, organisation and funding) which are the cornerstones of the incubation programme. The programme is shaped to help tech founders succeed based on three founding principles:
Bespoke
SETsquared Bristol provides targeted support to their members when they need it, rather than requiring them to follow a strict, structured process. Founders benefit from bespoke business support including 1:1 sessions with an Entrepreneur-in-Residence, business review panels, mentoring, and support with raising finance and investment.
Boundaryless
Under Centre Director, Monika Radclyffe, SETsquared Bristol has carried out diversity research reports which have led to the creation of two programmes; ‘Breakthrough Bursary’ for BAME start ups and ‘Enterprising Women’ supported by NatWest. It is proud that its members’ CEOs and founders are made up of 45% women and 23% BAME but recognises there is more to do. The move to virtual service provision in 2020 has enabled SETsquared Bristol to extend its services to new members beyond the South West to the whole of the UK, providing more welcome opportunities for sector and geography diversity.
Brilliance
SETsquared Bristol strives for brilliance to give its founders the best support to enable success. This is evidenced by the fact that its members are four times more likely to survive after 3 years than the average UK start up.
UNIVERSITY EXPERTISE
In addition to a strong investor and start up community network, SETsquared Bristol adds value to its members through its strong links with the University of Bristol’s research and enterprise expertise, including research consultancies, placements, research commercialisation, and licensing opportunities, providing a fertile environment to support growth.
SUCCESSES
Successes include alumnus Ultraleap, a hand tracking and haptics company predicted to be the next Bristol unicorn, LettUs Grow, who has recently raised over £3 million for their vertical and indoor farming technology, and Neighbourly, a multi award-winning CSR platform with worldwide partnerships including Aldi, M&S and Starbucks.
WHAT NEXT?
In response to the pandemic, SETsquared Bristol is working with partners to support and promote tech sectors which are the most significant to global recovery. Its intention is to develop new incubation cohorts including quantum, net zero, healthtech and financial inclusion in collaboration with the University of Bristol.
HOW TO ENTER
SETsquared Bristol accepts tech companies from any background or sector with high commercial growth or impact potential who are seeking outside support and advice that will help accelerate their company to market.
TESTIMONIALS
They’ve provided everything we need from a home: support, advice, connections, guidance and training.”
— Steve Cliffe, CEO, Ultraleap
SETsquared is very supportive of diverse businesses. If we hadn’t set up the company in Bristol with its supportive ecosystem, I don’t know if we would have been where we are right now.”
— Zara Nanu, CEO, Gapsquare
