2. History
• SETsquared Partnership - the Enterprise collaboration of the Universities of
Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey
• Approximately 7,400 academics working at these universities are responsible
for ten per cent of the UK's Higher Education research budget
• Partnership formed in 2002 led by Southampton with Bath, Bristol and
Surrey (Exeter joined in 2011)
• Funded under Higher Education Innovation Funding until 2015
• Collectively supports the growth and success of new business opportunities
through spin-outs (20%), spin-ins (80%), licensing, acceleration and
incubation
• Currently based at Science Park but work with many organisations across the
region
3. The “pains” and process
• Assist high-growth and innovative companies:
– business planning
– management team development
– Funding
• Process
– Review and apply to enter
– If accepted then
• Work with Centre staff
• Appoint mentor
• Regular Business Review panels
5. SETsquared – Success Stories
• PrimerDesign were the first company in the
world to develop a rapid detection test for
SwineFlu
• Required less than £40k of initial investment in
2007. Will turnover nearly £2m this year
• Exporting to 106 countries with over 100 kits
• Average of 3 new kits developed each month for
clients
• Novel use of Student sponsorship to build
brand and promote sales
• Featured on Sky News main evening broadcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7UNEg
mPmW0&feature=related
6. SETsquared – Success Stories
• Ilika – materials discovery
– Established with small working capital in 2004
– Raised growth funding in 2006
– Raised funding in 2007, in 2010, and in 2012
– Diverse applications across multiple verticals
– Contracts with Shell, Johnson Matthey, AsahiKasei, Toyota,
NXP
– Strong board: http://www.ilika.com/main.php?id=7
• Symetrica – nuclear security
– Joined in Oct 2003
– SETsquared mentor, Heddwyn Davies, becomes CEO, Mar
2004
– Funding rounds in Oct 2004, and in Sept 2005
– framework contact from Dept of Homeland Security, Nov
2006
– Exit planned for 2015
7. Annual Investor Showcase
• Annual investor event in Whitehall:
– 150 venture capitalists and other investors
– High profile keynote speakers include
• Lord Sainsbury, Jon Moulton
• To be selected to be one of the 20 companies
that present all undertake investor readiness
training
The Bristol SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre, part of the Award ceremony at 11 Downing Street for BERR’s Enterprising
University of Bristol, was named ‘Established Business Incubator Britain competition - Southampton SETsquared key member of
of the Year 2008’ by the UKBI (UK Business Incubation) . Nov ‘08 Millbrook Technology Campus - South East regional winner. Oct ’08
