About Us
The SETsquared Partnership, the enterprise collaboration of the universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey, has grown into a fully comprehensive and strategic approach to commercialisation. A proven leader in the development of the UK's knowledge economy and the UK’s largest enterprise collective of 6,500 researchers, the SETsquared Partnership advances enterprise in the UK.
University of Surrey spin-out Si-Light Technologies' first silicon emitter
Quality companies - The universities of the SETsquared Partnership focus upon quality, not quantity, for spin-outs and company licensing. The flotation of four spin-out companies since the start of 2002 created a combined market capitalisation of over £160 million. The Partnership has raised over £45 million of follow-on funding for various ventures in difficult markets and has succeeded with a number of trade sales.
High-Growth Technology - The SETsquared Business Acceleration Centres of the Universities of Bath, Bath in Swindon, Bristol, Southampton, and Surrey support early-stage, potential high-growth technology ventures, both from within and outside the universities, to accelerate the development of their businesses. Each Centre provides entrepreneurs and business professionals with business mentoring, guidance and affordable office space. To date, the Partnership has helped new external ventures to raise more than £25 million of early stage funding.
Wet laboratory research
Investing in Top Research - University companies are starting to gain the serious attention of venture capitalists, business angels and seedcorn funders. All four SETsquared Partnership universities work with and have agreements with IP Group Plc, delivering significant support for IP commercialisation activities, seed capital finance, and ongoing strategic and financial support for spin-out companies to maximise their chances of success.
Global Collaboration - With the Department of Trade and Industry’s £1.5 million “Science Bridge” grant, the Partnership has been able to develop its link with the University of California San Diego and the University of California Irvine and identify areas of collaboration for research in bio-engineering and stem cells, wireless, and sustainable and environmental habitats.
Working with Industry - Tech transfer staff, researchers and new spin-outs collaborate with established businesses, helping companies become more competitive and advancing innovation within their industries. For example, aerospace project software company Acsian, a University of Southampton spin-out, is based in the University of Bristol’s SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre whilst partnering Rolls-Royce to develop and test new project management software. The software is poised to save billions of pounds in overdue, over-budget aerospace and other massive-scale planning projects.
Experienced Business Leaders - Technology transfer professionals have fostered close working relationships with academics, bridging the gap between complex academic research, its commercial application and business creation. Experienced entrepreneurs have joined SETsquared Partnership university technology transfer teams, whilst others share their knowledge serving as volunteer mentors for spin-outs.
The SETsquared Partnership:
- develops new businesses from university research (“spin-outs”) and supports technology companies from the wider business community
- collaborates with industry, providing access to university expertise and facilities, and
- prepares new entrepreneurs with the business skills to be the UK's enterprise generation
