Future Space
Future Space is a Bristol innovation centre co-located with UWE Bristol that provides offices, specialist labs, technical workshops, virtual memberships and integrated business support to high-tech startups and scaleups in health tech, AI, advanced engineering and green technology.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersStoke Gifford, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Future Space does
Future Space is a university-partnered innovation centre co-located at the University of the West of England's (UWE Bristol) Frenchay Campus in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. Founded in 2016 as one of the UK's pilot University Enterprise Zones and operated by Oxford Innovation Ltd as part of the Oxford Innovation Space network, the centre provides private offices, high-specification laboratories, technical workshop space, meeting rooms, and a Virtual Space membership tier (priced at £150 per month). Its primary customer base is high-tech startups and scaleups in health tech, AI and digital technology, advanced engineering (including robotics and autonomous systems), and green technology, with named tenants spanning Fusion Processing (autonomous buses), Sora Aviation (electric aircraft), Perceptual Robotics (wind turbine inspection), Nusku (heat pumps), FluoretiQ (medical diagnostics), Albotherm and NPK Recovery (sustainability).
The commercial proposition bundles physical workspace with three integrated 'innovation engines' — Growth Engine (1:1 business support, advisor and partner network, GROWTHmapper diagnostics), R&D Engine (access to UWE's School of Engineering, Health Tech Hub, Centre for Print Research and The Bridge Studio), and Talent Engine (funded internships, MBA consultancy and graduate pipeline). Revenue is generated almost entirely through subscription recurring streams: physical space rentals on flexible terms, Virtual Office memberships, meeting room hire and bundled business support services. Pricing for all physical workspace tiers is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer bookings via the website (with tour-led conversion), community-led referral through word-of-mouth within the member ecosystem, and event-driven demand generation through monthly breakfasts, meetups, ecosystem workshops and the 'Innovate Together' podcast and content platform. Distribution is anchored by UWE Bristol referrals (notably from the Launch Space pre-incubator), the Oxford Innovation Space network, and Angel Investors Bristol. The 2024 opening of a 10,000 sq ft W Block expansion (75% occupied at launch) and consecutive Tech South West 'Supporting the Sector' awards in 2023 and 2024 indicate active scaling and reinforcing sector credibility within the South West England technology ecosystem.
Future Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Future Space
- Legal name
- Oxford Innovation Ltd
- Website
- https://futurespacebristol.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Future Space is a Bristol innovation centre co-located with UWE Bristol that provides offices, specialist labs, technical workshops, virtual memberships and integrated business support to high-tech startups and scaleups in health tech, AI, advanced engineering and green technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Future Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Innovation Centre / Business Incubation Workspace
- NAICS
- Facilities Support Services (561210)
- SIC
- Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space & Occupancy Services (Move/Add/Change, Seating, Wayfinding) (IMAIALAF)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Workplace Technology & Smart Office Support (Room Booking Systems, IT/AV Liaison) (IMAIALAK)
Keywords
Where Future Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stoke Gifford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Future Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Office and Lab Space Rental: Future Space generates primary revenue from renting private offices, laboratory spaces, and technical workshops to high-tech businesses. Spaces are available at various sizes to accommodate startups through to scaling companies. Rental agreements are typically structured on flexible terms.
- Virtual Space Membership: Virtual membership provides businesses with a professional address, mail handling, access to collaboration spaces, meeting room discounts, business support, and university partnership benefits for £150 per month. This subscription model serves founders who need credibility without requiring physical desk space.
- Meeting Room Hire: Meeting rooms are available for hire, with discounted rates offered to virtual members. This provides flexible, short-term revenue from both members and external customers needing professional meeting facilities.
- Business Support Services: Innovation support services including 1:1 business advisory, access to business partners (legal, finance, IP, marketing), R&D facilitation, and talent pipeline services. These are provided as included benefits with workspace membership and as value-added services that support tenant retention.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Virtual Space membership for remote/scaleup businesses |
| Subscription | Monthly | Physical Office, Lab and Technical Workspace |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Future Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Future Space provides high-spec physical workspace (private offices, laboratories, technical workshops, meeting rooms) and a virtual office membership to high-tech startups and scaleups. The workspace is bundled with three integrated innovation support engines covering business advisory, university R&D facility access, and student talent pipelines. The centre is co-located at UWE Bristol and managed by Oxford Innovation Space, combining physical infrastructure with structured innovation support services for technology businesses.
Product overview
Future Space is Bristol's award-winning university-partnered innovation centre offering a comprehensive portfolio of workspace solutions and innovation support services. The core offering comprises physical workspace products including Office Space, Lab Space, Technical/Workshop Space, Meeting Space, and Virtual Space (virtual office membership at £150/month). These are complemented by three integrated innovation support engines—Growth, R&D, and Talent—co-delivered with UWE Bristol and Oxford Innovation Space, providing business support programmes, university R&D facilities access, and talent pipeline services. The centre also houses the Innovate Together thought leadership platform featuring podcasts and articles. All offerings are designed to support high-tech, high-growth businesses in health tech, AI & digital tech, advanced engineering, and green tech sectors.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Innovate Together: A platform exploring the gap between university innovation and business growth, manifesting as a podcast series and monthly think piece written by Centre Director Matt Freeman.
Products and services
- Office Space Private office space designed for high-tech, high-growth businesses, providing a professional environment for teams to work and collaborate within the Future Space innovation centre.
- Lab Space High-specification laboratory facilities for science and technology businesses requiring dedicated lab equipment and infrastructure, including access to UWE Bristol's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences facilities.
- Technical Workspace Technical workshop facilities for businesses requiring prototyping, manufacturing, or technical workspace with specialised equipment, supporting advanced engineering and robotics tenants.
- Meeting Space Meeting rooms and collaborative spaces available for hire by member businesses and virtual members at discounted rates, supporting both tenant and external customer demand.
- Virtual Space (Virtual Office Membership) Virtual office membership providing a professional business address at UWE Bristol's innovation centre, mail storage, free Collab Space access up to one day per week, discounted meeting rooms, monthly 1:1 business support, GROWTHmapper diagnostic tool access, university R&D facilitation, student talent connections, event invitations, campus gym discount, and free library access. Priced at £150 per month.
- Growth Engine Innovation support engine providing structured programmes, in-house 1:1 business support, advisor and partner network access (spanning IP, marketing, finance, recruitment, innovation funding), growth diagnostic tools such as GROWTHmapper, and ecosystem workshops and events.
- R&D Engine Innovation support engine providing facilities access service across UWE's Engineering School, The Bridge Studio, Health Tech Hub and Centre for Print Research, academic consultancy for feasibility studies, and collaborative research projects with bid writing support.
- Talent Engine
- Innovate Together Platform Content and thought leadership platform encompassing a podcast series, monthly think piece, and breakfast series exploring the gap between university innovation and business growth, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 500 new jobs created at the centre during its 8-year lifetime
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Future Space
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Future Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Future Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- UWE Bristol (University of the West of England)coreFounding university partner and anchor tenant relationship. Future Space operates as UWE's University Enterprise Zone, providing workspace for high-tech businesses within the university's innovation ecosystem. The partnership gives member companies access to academic expertise, R&D facilities (School of Engineering, Applied Sciences, Bristol Business School), student talent pipeline, and research infrastructure. UWE benefits through knowledge exchange, graduate employment outcomes, and commercialising research.
- Oxford Innovation SpacecoreOxford Innovation Space manages Future Space as part of the UK's largest network of innovation centres. Provides operational expertise, business support frameworks, GROWTHmapper diagnostic tools, and connects Future Space companies to the broader Oxford Innovation ecosystem of advisors, investors, and corporate partners.
- Walmer GroupminorInnovation Funding Partner providing specialist advice on R&D tax relief, grants, and funding readiness. Supports Future Space companies in navigating the complex innovation funding landscape.
- TuskominorCreative Communications Partner offering video production, branded content, and digital marketing services. Helps member companies create compelling visual content for investment pitches, product launches, and marketing campaigns.
- CountexminorFinance & Accountancy Partner specialising in science and technology companies. Provides outsourced CFO services, accounting, tax compliance, R&D tax support, and financial infrastructure for scaling businesses.
- Hayes ParsonsminorInsurance & Risk Management Partner providing commercial insurance and risk advisory services tailored to technology and science businesses operating at Future Space.
- Withers & RogersminorIntellectual Property Partner and one of Europe's largest dedicated IP law firms. Supports Future Space companies in patent protection, trademark registration, and IP strategy across UK, Paris, and Munich offices.
- Abel + ImrayminorIntellectual Property Partner helping innovative companies protect and understand IP across patents (chemistry, biotechnology, ICT, software, physics, engineering) and trade marks. Offices in London, Bath, Cardiff, and Netherlands.
- UWE School of EngineeringcoreUniversity department providing R&D facilities access, academic consultancy, and student talent for engineering-focused Future Space companies. Supports collaborative research projects, prototyping, and technical expertise.
- UWE School of Applied SciencescoreUniversity department enabling applied sciences R&D collaborations, providing access to laboratory facilities and expert academics for Future Space companies in health tech, biotech, and sustainability sectors.
- UWE Bristol Business SchoolcoreBusiness school partnership providing marketing support projects, MBA talent access, and business consultancy. MBA students consult with Future Space companies on strategy, marketing, and digital transformation.
- Bristol Robotics LabminorPartnership providing Future Space robotics companies access to Bristol Robotics Lab facilities, expertise, and rapid prototyping capabilities. Located adjacent to Future Space.
- The Bridge Studio (UWE)minorAccess to creative studio facilities for prototyping, content creation, and design work supporting Future Space member companies.
- Health Tech Hub (UWE)minorSpecialist hub providing facilities and expertise for health technology companies, supporting medical device development, digital health, and healthcare innovation.
- Centre for Print Research (UWE)minorResearch centre providing advanced printing technology access for prototyping and product development, particularly relevant for advanced engineering and manufacturing companies.
- Tech South WestminorRegional technology ecosystem organisation. Future Space partners on Growth Forge accelerator-style events focused on emerging technology. Awards participation builds sector credibility.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Future Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- The Higgs Centre for Innovation: Edinburgh-based innovation hub providing office, lab, and workshop space for science and technology startups near STFC and University of Edinburgh. Directly comparable university-partnered deep-tech incubation model.
- SetSquared Partnership: University-partnered deep-tech incubator network spanning five leading UK universities (Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Southampton, Surrey). Comparable as a university-anchored innovation centre supporting high-tech startups with workspace, business support, and investor access.
- TechSpace: London-based provider of coworking and private office space targeting technology and science companies. Comparable in target market and offering mix, though London-centric versus Future Space's South West positioning.
- Scale Space: UK scaleup-focused workspace and innovation hub provider, originally a Blenheim Chalcot venture. Comparable as workspace-plus-growth-support for high-growth tech companies, with similar focus on talent and corporate network access.
- Runway East: UK coworking and innovation hub operator focused on high-growth tech startups. Comparable as a workspace-plus-community offering, though without the deep university R&D and talent pipeline integration that differentiates Future Space.
- Oxford Innovation Space: Parent operator and the UK's largest network of innovation centres. Directly comparable as the managing entity of Future Space and several sister innovation centres sharing the same operational model, GROWTHmapper tooling, and corporate partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Workspace Group: Established UK flexible office provider with a national portfolio of business centres. Comparable in workspace provision but focuses on broader SME market rather than specialised deep-tech incubation with university integration.
- Barclays Eagle Labs: UK-wide network of innovation and incubation hubs providing workspace, business mentoring, and access to Barclays' corporate network. Broader incumbent offering banking-tied support to tech startups and scaleups across multiple UK regions.
Others
- Knowledge Transfer Network (Innovate UK KTN): UK innovation network connecting businesses with universities, funding, and partners. Adjacent ecosystem enabler rather than direct workspace competitor, but complementary to Future Space's university partnership model.
Regional players
- Innovation Birmingham / iCentrum: Innovation centre and incubator in Birmingham supporting tech startups with workspace, mentorship, and corporate introductions. Comparable in offering mix but serves the West Midlands region rather than South West England.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Future Space social profiles
Digital presenceFuture Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Future Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Future Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Future Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Future Space
What does Future Space do?
Future Space provides high-spec physical workspace (private offices, laboratories, technical workshops, meeting rooms) and a virtual office membership to high-tech startups and scaleups. The workspace is bundled with three integrated innovation support engines covering business advisory, university R&D facility access, and student talent pipelines. The centre is co-located at UWE Bristol and managed by Oxford Innovation Space, combining physical infrastructure with structured innovation support services for technology businesses.
Is Future Space a public or private company?
Future Space is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Future Space founded?
Future Space was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Future Space based?
Future Space is headquartered in Stoke Gifford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Future Space make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Office and Lab Space Rental is the primary driver. The others are virtual Space Membership, meeting Room Hire and business Support Services.
Who are Future Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are The Higgs Centre for Innovation, SetSquared Partnership, TechSpace, Scale Space, Runway East and Oxford Innovation Space. Broad incumbents are Workspace Group and Barclays Eagle Labs. Knowledge Transfer Network (Innovate UK KTN) is listed as an others. Innovation Birmingham / iCentrum is listed as a regional player.
Does Future Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Future Space.
What industry is Future Space in?
Future Space's product category is Innovation Centre / Business Incubation Workspace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIALAF, Space & Occupancy Services (Move/Add/Change, Seating, Wayfinding), with a secondary code of IMAIALAK, Workplace Technology & Smart Office Support (Room Booking Systems, IT/AV Liaison). Its NAICS code is 561210 and its SIC code is 8744.