Start-up transforms nightclub into cutting edge lab space

Unicorn Biotechnologies, a Sheffield start-up, has moved its team of scientists and engineers from Sheffield Technology Parks to a newly refurbished city-centre space in a former nightclub.

Co-founded by Adam Glen and Jack Reid, Unicorn Bio is developing technology designed to automate cell culture and free up scientists’ time for valuable analysis and experimentation.

The start-up began life in Glen’s attic after the founding duo met on an entrepreneur programme, hosted virtually during the pandemic.

On realising the full potential of their ideas, Unicorn Bio moved into office space at Sheffield Technology Parks (STP) in 2021, which they soon transformed into a laboratory.

With a dual focus on developing cell lines used in meat production, medicine, and numerous other applications, as well as innovating the technology to augment this cell culture, Unicorn Bio’s team grew to 10 and they began looking for new premises early in 2024.

When considering the former nightclub on Shoreham Street, Glen and Reid saw an opportunity. The venue had existing features well-suited to their needs, such as high-quality air conditioning.

Also, the building offers space to innovate across both the scientific and engineering sides of the business, maintaining efficiency by keeping processes in-house.

In the new labs Unicorn’s scientists can undertake cell culture, experimentation and analysis, while a dedicated workshop is a hub of engineering, housing 3D printers, tools and prototypes.

Glen said: “People tend to stay in their lane in the UK, but who says we can’t turn a bar into a biotech lab?

“Companies like Hewlett Packard and Apple started in garages. This is a fantastic space that meets our needs, why wouldn’t we move here?”

So far, Unicorn Bio has secured five allocations of grant funding from Innovate UK, which has supported its collaborations with partners in Canada, Oxford, and Cambridge.

Glen added: “We are a small and independent start-up and the advantage this gives us is speed and agility.

“We began in an attic with a lizard incubator and pond cleaning gloves. In three years, we’ve moved from there to the Tech Parks – where we built a lab with support from Tom and his team, because it was quicker and more cost effective than using offsite labspace – and now, we’re in our new home.

“I want more people to start biotech businesses here in Sheffield and I hope our example shows that it can be done.”

Tom Wolfenden, Sheffield Technology Parks CEO, said: “Jack and Adam’s entrepreneurial approach is really impressive; they take risks, aren’t afraid of doing things differently and see opportunities where others may not.

“Unicorn leaves a lasting legacy at Sheffield Technology Parks, we worked closely with the team to create our first bespoke lab space and we’ll soon complete our fifth.

“It’s encouraging that no sooner had Unicorn moved out, another two lab users moved in. We have an exciting science economy emerging in Sheffield and Unicorn are real trailblazers within it.”