3M Buckley Innovation Centre

What 3M Buckley Innovation Centre does

3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC) is a Huddersfield-based innovation hub operating within the University of Huddersfield's enterprise ecosystem. Founded in 2014, the centre provides flexible workspace (offices for 2-15 people, co-working, combined lab/office units) alongside an in-house technology platform built around an Additive Manufacturing Suite capable of 3D printing in over 40 materials (including biocompatible options for medical use, PEEK, titanium, polymers, and resins), an X-ray/CT metrology suite with XRF capability for non-destructive testing, and a Digital Maker Space with VR/AR product visualisation. Adjacent service offerings include product design and development support, prototyping services, testing services, and bookable meeting/event spaces for 2-80 delegates.

Revenue is generated through four streams: recurring office and lab space rental on monthly subscriptions or daily/hourly co-working terms, pay-as-you-go meeting room hire, usage-based technology and prototyping services (AM, X-CT, product development), and a subscription membership programme providing ongoing access to facilities and the community network. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.

The centre serves four primary customer segments: health and wellbeing SMEs and scale-ups (especially medtech firms seeking NHS procurement support and prototyping access), technology and innovation businesses needing flexible workspace and advanced manufacturing capabilities, University of Huddersfield affiliates commercialising research, and organisations outside West Yorkshire entering the region via tailored soft landing packages. Its go-to-market blends community-led engagement (University of Huddersfield affiliation, West Yorkshire Innovation Festival, Kirklees Top 100 Companies) with event-driven activity (guided tours, AI workshops, NHS procurement sessions) and channel-partner referrals from Medilink North of England, Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber, and NHS bodies. Strategic partnerships with these regional health bodies, Kirklees Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority anchor the centre's position as a publicly-supported innovation facility rather than a venture-backed business. The forthcoming Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC) on the University of Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus is set to open in 2026 as a sister site, deepening the centre's healthtech specialisation under new CEO Henry Rigg.

Name

3M Buckley Innovation Centre

Legal name

3M Buckley Innovation Centre

Website

https://3mbic.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

3M Buckley Innovation Centre is a Huddersfield, UK-based innovation hub affiliated with the University of Huddersfield that provides flexible office/lab space, additive manufacturing prototyping, X-ray/CT testing, and VR/AR visualisation services to healthtech SMEs, technology startups, and regional businesses seeking workspace and product development support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Innovation Centre Services

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (54171), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

3D Printing, CAD & Digital Fabrication Programs (EDAMADAH), VR-Based Skills Training Simulations (Soft Skills, Customer Service, Leadership) (EDAFAJAA), Emerging Tech (IoT, Blockchain, AR/VR, Edge) Consulting (BPAHAEAL), Conferences, Workshops & Industry Events (AM Knowledge Sharing) (IMAAAJAL)

Keywords

• Innovation centre services
• Additive manufacturing services
• Product prototyping services
• Flexible workspace rental
• Health innovation support

Headquarters

HQ city

Huddersfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Office and Lab Space Rental: Rental of flexible office spaces ranging from small offices for 2 people to larger offices for up to 15, combined lab/office spaces, and co-working desks on flexible terms (daily, monthly, hourly)
2. Meeting Room Hire: Flexible event spaces accommodating 2 to 80 delegates with various room layouts, AV systems, and catering packages available for hourly or daily rental
3. Technology and Prototyping Services: Paid access to additive manufacturing, X-ray/CT scanning, and product development services for businesses requiring specialized technology capabilities
4. Membership: Membership packages providing access to facilities, technology, expertise, and the innovation community network

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

3M Buckley Innovation Centre provides flexible office, laboratory, and co-working space combined with product development technology services including 3D printing (additive manufacturing across 40+ materials), X-ray/CT scanning, AR/VR product visualisation, and in-house product design expertise. The centre serves healthtech SMEs, technology startups, university spin-offs, and growing businesses seeking workspace plus prototyping and testing capabilities, with a membership programme that connects members to the University of Huddersfield's research, talent, and regional innovation network.

Product overview

The 3M Buckley Innovation Centre (3M BIC) is an innovation hub operated by the University of Huddersfield that provides a comprehensive ecosystem for business innovation, connection, and growth. The offering is organized as a platform of interconnected services rather than a single unified product. Core workspace services include Office Space, Lab Space, Flexible Working Space (co-working), and Meeting Room Hire, which form the foundational infrastructure layer. These are complemented by technology-enabled product development services: Product Design and Development Services, Prototyping Services (with an Additive Manufacturing Suite), Product Testing Services (Non-Destructive Testing with X-ray/CT equipment), and AR & VR Services for Product Visualisation. The centre also operates a Digital Maker Space and 3D Manufactory for additive manufacturing in over 40 materials. A sister site, the Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC), extends this ecosystem with dedicated health and wellbeing focus, including a specialized Health and Wellbeing Innovation Maker Space. A Membership Programme provides ongoing access to the centre's facilities and community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC): A sister site to the 3M Buckley Innovation Centre, designed to accelerate health innovation in West Yorkshire. Located on the University of Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus, it offers flexible office and lab space, meeting and event space, a dedicated Health and Wellbeing Innovation Maker Space and access to a community of innovators.

Products and services

• Office Space Flexible office spaces ranging from small offices for two people up to larger offices for 15 people, located near the University of Huddersfield in Huddersfield, UK.
• Lab Space Specialised laboratory facilities for research, development, and testing activities, available in combined lab/office configurations.
• Flexible Working Space Co-working spaces, pop-up offices available for daily rental, and hot-desking options for businesses and individuals seeking flexibility.
• Meeting Room Hire Flexible event spaces accommodating 2 to 80 delegates, with various room layouts, AV systems, and catering packages available for hourly or daily rental.
• Product Design and Development Services In-house expertise to support product development journeys from concept through prototyping to market-ready products.
• Prototyping Services Additive Manufacturing (AM) Suite with systems for printing in metal, polymer, and resin across 40+ materials, enabling rapid prototyping and product development.
• Product Testing Services X-ray Suite including Metrology X-CT, XRF machine, and software for XCT data construction for non-destructive testing and quality assurance.
• AR & VR Services Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) systems for product visualisation and design review.
• Membership Programme Business membership programme providing access to facilities, networking events, and support services for ongoing tenant and member engagement.
• Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC) Sister site to 3M BIC located on the University of Huddersfield's National Health Innovation Campus, offering flexible office and lab space, meeting rooms, a Health and Wellbeing Innovation Maker Space, and community access for health and wellbeing organisations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 450 businesses supported through Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Medilink North of EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 June 2026Strategic partnership to accelerate innovation, commercialisation and market adoption for health and medical technologies across Yorkshire. Combines 3M BIC's facilities and technical expertise with Medilink's specialist knowledge in regulation, market access, and commercial strategy.
• University of HuddersfieldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration connecting university with industry to create value, business growth and R&D opportunities. Home to the National Health Innovation Campus where 3M BIC and HBIC are located.
• Health Innovation Yorkshire & HumbercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNHS regional innovation arm serving as anchor tenant of Health Business Innovation Centre (HBIC). Connects healthcare, academia and industry to accelerate development and adoption of new health technologies.
• Kirklees CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership (HHIP) providing strategic support and funding for health innovation projects.
• Third Sector LeadersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Huddersfield Health Innovation Partnership connecting third sector organisations with health innovation ecosystem.
• NHS BodiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of HHIP connecting healthcare providers with innovation ecosystem for NHS procurement guidance and collaboration.
• Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOperates Innovation Space at Pinderfields Hospital opened October 2024, hosting workshops and roundtables for innovation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Warwick Innovation Centre: University of Warwick-linked business innovation centre providing workspace and support for SMEs and startups. Similar regional-university-affiliated model serving innovation-focused SMEs in the Midlands.
• SETsquared Partnership: University-backed startup incubator network supporting tech and science ventures across multiple UK universities. Comparable in its university-affiliated, innovation-services model and graduate/startup pipeline focus.
• Manchester Science Park: Manchester-based innovation and business growth hub providing office, lab and grow-on space alongside business support for tech and science companies. Closely comparable to 3M BIC in workspace-plus-services proposition and regional UK innovation-centre positioning.
• Surrey Research Park: University of Surrey-affiliated park offering office and lab space plus business support for technology companies. Comparable structure: university-owned innovation hub combining workspace, R&D facilities and tenant support.
• BioCity (Nottingham): UK life sciences and healthtech incubator offering lab and office space with business support services. Highly comparable to 3M BIC's health-innovation focus, especially given 3M BIC's expanding HBIC and NHS-aligned programmes.
• Cambridge Innovation Centre (CIC): UK innovation centre / incubator offering flexible workspace, mentorship and technology access to science and technology startups. Directly comparable to 3M BIC in operating model (workspace + tech services + community), though operating at significantly greater scale in Cambridge's deep-tech ecosystem.

Regional players

• Health Innovation Manchester: Manchester-based health innovation organisation accelerating health technology adoption across the NHS. Closely aligned with 3M BIC's health innovation mission and NHS partnership model, but operates as an Academic Health Science Network rather than a workspace provider.
• Health Innovation Yorkshire & Humber: NHS regional innovation arm serving Yorkshire & the Humber; also a strategic partner and anchor tenant of 3M BIC's HBIC sister site. Directly comparable mission of accelerating healthtech commercialisation in the region.

Emerging players

• Makerversity: London-based maker community providing access to advanced digital fabrication (3D printing, CNC, electronics) alongside co-working for creative and product startups. Comparable digital maker space and prototyping access, though focused on creative industries rather than health.
• Medilink North of England: Industry association supporting medical technology businesses across the North of England with regulatory, market access and commercialisation expertise. Recently partnered strategically with 3M BIC; comparable in supporting healthtech SMEs but does not provide physical workspace or AM facilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/3MBIC
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCylv-UDTKAkMxQxDxruYcyw
• Facebookfacebook.com/3MBICHUDDS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3m-buckley-innovation-centre
• Instagraminstagram.com/3mbic

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 3M Buckley Innovation Centre