Business incubator named best in the UK

A business incubator set up by Bristol University has been named the best in  the UK.

SetSquared is is a collaboration between the universities of Exeter, Bath, Bristol, Southampton, Surrey and Cardiff.

The project received the recognition in a report on Europe’s leading start-up hubs which was commissioned by the Financial Times.

The report, compiled by Statista and Sifted, ranked 125 start-up hubs across 21 European countries using data and feedback from alumni and independent experts, including investors.

The start-up hubs were rated in six categories: mentoring and training development, infrastructure, legal assistance, business development, networking and funding.

Independent experts, including angel investors, entrepreneurs and academics, also gave their views.

Additional scores were awarded for the most successful start-ups to have emerged from each hub.

Joe Pearce, head of business support at the University of Exeter and business acceleration and student entrepreneurship lead, said: “It’s hugely gratifying for our efforts to turn innovation into thriving business that provides social benefit and drives economic growth recognised in this way, and a proud achievement.”

Marty Reid, executive director of SetSquared, added: “It’s fantastic to be recognised as one of the top three start-up hubs in Europe.

“It’s a testament to the expertise and hard work from teams across our business acceleration centres and universities and to the culture of collaboration across the ecosystems that we are part of.”

SETsquared was launched in 2002 and has since supported more than 5,000 entrepreneurs and helped to raise £4.4bn worth of investment.