Incubators and Science Parks

A warm and cuddly environment for companies sounds wonderful. A way to encourage the innovative economy that a high cost country such as the UK needs to sustain. We should see Incubators as the Nursery schools for companies and Science Parks as the Secondary schools. Although rather less emphasis on testing and CRB checks!

Physical Infrastructure is the description on the Innovation Map, a bit dry and a limited shorthand necessary on such an overview. Looking at real life the offering from successful Incubators and Science Parks is a lot more sophisticated, as they keep telling me, so apologies to friends in the incubator and science park movements if I simplify.

These facilities represent the proving ground for companies and the label is shorthand for all of the opportunities and support they offer for developing and expanding commercial entities. i.e. not just the physical aspect but the peer group possibilities, business advice, administrative and support facilities like telephones, guidance and connections to external support such as lawyers, IP professional, property specialists and government support e.g. for export through UKTI and manufacturing industry support

An exploration of best practice and a few favourite examples will provide a flavour of a very successful part of the UK approach to developing innovate, fast growing companies.

My perfect Incubator

A not for profit enterprise in partnership with, and supported by, local and regional public sector, umbilically linked to local Universities and with key links to industry.

Providing the primary needs of administration, web support, laboratory space with; infrastructure and expertise to help with business development. The latter through experienced people capable of nurturing small businesses, either on site or available on call.

Peer mentoring, experienced entrepreneurs and SME anchor tenants; recognising the gold mine that is serial entrepreneurs.

A good incubator should also have a sector focus although this will often include a variety of technology, software and design creatives all focussed in a particular direction.

Direct access to specialist University and public sector or industry facilities may also be critical in areas such as biosciences and materials/chemicals.

My perfect Science Park

These offer a more robust and wider support for developing substantial companies rather than proto companies. The teenagers coming from the feeder incubators.

The ideal Science Park provides focused resources to help, not prop up, developing businesses. The physical facilities, availability of flexible space and renting terms will form the bedrock of the offer. Then we see a range of other possibilities such as :-

Opportunities for funding networking

IP professional access

Legal access

Trade advice and support to overseas markets through UKTI. This includes the local representation (International Trade Advisor), National sector teams and their sector and market specialists and the overseas UKTI teams in consulates and

Visibility to large inward investors

access to large companies looking for suppliers and Open Innovation Partners

Local Authority regional body visibility and connectedness e.g. for planning

International visibility

Privileged links to universities and research centres,and access to bespoke facilities and leading-edge equipment with dedicated support from specialised on-site business advisers.

Strategic Approach

Both Incubators and Science Parks need clear strategies and rules to support companies not smother them or prop up the failures. The success rate of 80% + is seen as a strength but the question of what to do with the failures and the ones who grow out of their space is critical. A clear exit strategy is necessary; like a nestling bird you can't have a dying company or an over rumbustious one forever in the same space.

A collection of growing companies provides a greater range of players for coordinated efforts, such as seed camps where new business ideas are pitched to a panel of experts. The winners can then receive a plethora of tools including financing for equity, temporary office space and infrastructure as well as key mentoring and coaching. Those that show promise can be given subsequent funding to help them grow.

Examples

An example of a successful Incubator is the Millbrook Technology Campus in Southampton supported by the University and the collection of Universities, Set-squared.

For Science Parks a good example is St Johns Innovation Centre set up by St John's College in Cambridge and originally led by Walter Herriott. An ideal example with a range of small start ups, network organisations and large company presence. A case study demonstrating that leadership is everything to a successful Incubator and Science Park.

Finally there is one of the two National Science & Innovation Park, Daresbury in the North West. Giving access to major Research Council dedicated expertise through STFC, linked with regionally supported accommodation and key links with major local Universities, including world leaders such as Manchester University. The offer to emerging and growing companies and large companies offshoots is a potent hothouse mix.

Representative bodies

UKBI and UKSPA as the key national bodies represent members and promote their approaches and ideas. They provide local and central governments, and agencies with the realities of life for this key part of the innovation economy. Along with examples of successful companies including start ups and micro divisions of larger companies.

Influencing Government is always a difficult balance as I know from personal experience. A hectoring or pushy approach to government officials or Ministers often leads to resistance, Best practice is evidence and supportive arguments. Changing policy direction is like the proverbial oil tanker and shouting shrilly about the lack of an Emperors clothes might not lead to a Russian style beating but might be just ignored.

UK Success

The successes of the UK approaches are seen in the international reach. In trips to India, Central Europe and South America I've seen how much UK experience is valued and how successful our current setup has become. Expertise sharing on an international scale not only provides income for commercial consultancy companies but also visibility of best practice in the UK links for collaboration and easy access for overseas companies looking to expand into the UK

The Incubators and Science Parks are the critical node in the Innovation ecosystem and deserve full support and additional engagement from central government both directly and in terms of policy development.