Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park

What Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park does

Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) is a managed innovation campus and commercial property operator located on Loughborough University's 438-acre single-site campus in Leicestershire, United Kingdom. Founded in 2003 and operated as a division of Loughborough University (company number RC000332, a public university), LUSEP provides flexible office, laboratory, and workshop accommodation ranging from 500 sq ft to 25,000+ sq ft across multiple buildings, including the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC, 3,000 sq m, ERDF-part-funded), Charnwood Building, Holywell Building (20,000 sq ft), Michael Pearson Building, and SportPark. The park also operates LUinc., a business incubator launched in 2011, and the Space & Satellite Technologies Incubator, alongside a National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology (NCCAT) co-located facility. As of the most recent data, LUSEP houses over 90 knowledge-based organisations and a combined workforce of 2,500+ people across thematic clusters in advanced manufacturing, cleantech, health & wellbeing, software & digital, sport, and transport technology.

LUSEP's revenue model is anchored on recurring commercial property rental of flexible workspace under full-service inclusive tenancy packages, supplemented by campus partner service fees (parking, catering, sports and leisure access, conferencing at a 15% campus-partner discount) and business support services channelled through the University — including Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (up to 67% government-funded), student and graduate recruitment, and professional education programmes (20% campus-partner discount). Distribution is conducted through direct engagement led by Commercial Manager Claudia Palomino, supported by appointed commercial property agents CBRE (Birmingham), Andrew & Ashwell, and Lambert Smith Hampton. Pricing for office and laboratory space is quote-based and tailored to individual tenant requirements; ancillary parking tariffs are published at 80p + VAT per full day.

The strategic positioning is differentiated by structural integration with Loughborough University's research base — ranked #1 globally for sports-related subjects since 2017 — and a concentration of specialist facilities (NCCAT, Sports Technology Institute, Passivhaus-accredited SportPark Pavilion 4). Major capital developments include the 2020 Access Group flagship HQ (10,000 sqm, 500 new jobs, largest single-occupier office new-build in the East Midlands this century) and a 35-hectare Enterprise Zone expansion. LUSEP is funded and supported by multiple government bodies (BEIS, ATI, Innovate UK, Sport England, LLEP, ERDF, Loughborough Town Deal, Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire County Council) and operates within the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone.

Name

Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park

Legal name

Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park

Website

https://lusep.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) is a university-affiliated innovation campus in Leicestershire, UK, providing flexible office, laboratory, and workshop space (500 to 25,000+ sq ft) across multiple buildings to over 90 knowledge-based organisations and a 2,500+ workforce in cleantech, advanced manufacturing, sport, health, software, and transport technology sectors, plus incubation services through LUinc. and the Space & Satellite Technologies Incubator.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Real Estate and Business Incubation Services

NAICS

Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Flex / R&D Industrial Space Brokerage (BPAJACAC)

Keywords

• Commercial property leasing
• Science park facilities
• Business incubation services
• Flexible office workspaces
• University innovation campus

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Commercial property rental: LUSEP generates revenue through rental of flexible office, laboratory and workshop spaces ranging from 500 to 25,000+ sq ft. Properties include the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC), Charnwood Building, Holywell Building, Michael Pearson Building, and SportPark. Rental agreements are typically full-service inclusive packages.
2. Campus partner services and amenities: Revenue derived from campus-wide services accessed by tenant organisations including car parking charges, catering services, sports and leisure facilities access, and conferencing/hospitality venues.
3. Business support services: The University connects tenants to consultancy services, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (with government funding support up to 67%), student and graduate recruitment services, and professional education programmes with campus partner discounts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

LUSEP provides flexible, serviced commercial property solutions for businesses at every stage, from startups to global enterprises. The park offers office, laboratory, and workshop spaces ranging from 500 to 25,000+ sq ft across multiple buildings, complemented by business incubation services (LUinc.), sector-focused clusters, and access to Loughborough University research expertise and graduate talent.

Product overview

Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP) is a science and enterprise park offering flexible commercial real estate solutions and business support services. The portfolio includes flexible office, lab, and workshop spaces ranging from 500 to 25,000+ sq ft across multiple buildings (Charnwood Building, Holywell Building, Michael Pearson Building, SportPark) and the Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC). Business incubation is provided through LUinc. and specialist programs for sports tech and space technologies. LUSEP also hosts thematic business clusters in Cleantech, Advanced Manufacturing, Health & Wellbeing, Software & Digital, and Transport Technology sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LUinc. Loughborough University's business incubator that nurtures ambitious and innovative businesses from academic and graduate entrepreneurs
• ATIC (Advanced Technology Innovation Centre)
• SportPark
• Charnwood Building
• Holywell Building
• Michael Pearson Building

Products and services

• LUinc. (Loughborough University Incubator) Business incubator programme that nurtures early-stage entrepreneurs and graduate founders from Loughborough University and the Leicestershire region. Provides training, resources, office space, and support packages including graduate accelerator, local startup accelerator, and sports tech programmes.
• Advanced Technology Innovation Centre (ATIC) 3,000 sq m of fully-serviced, flexible space for start-up and growing companies. Purpose-designed for collaboration and innovation with high-specification shared spaces, dedicated workspaces, rent-a-desk options, and onsite management team. Part funded by ERDF.
• Charnwood Building Two-storey multi-occupied building at the heart of LUSEP offering versatile office, lab, workshop and high bay units with staffed reception and café. Lab spaces include fume hood air extraction, piped services, vinyl flooring and lab benching. R&D space from 535 sq ft (50 sq m).
• Holywell Building 20,000 sq ft self-contained two-storey building suitable for sole occupant or multiple organisations. Features prestige entrance, variety of office spaces with own reception and waiting area.
• Michael Pearson Building Pair of two-storey buildings with flexible office and workshop space alongside University specialist research activities. Features reception area with 24/7 access and dedicated parking.
• SportPark Purpose-built development for sports organisations and businesses. Co-located with Loughborough University's world-leading sport-related research capabilities and elite athlete facilities. Includes the Passivhaus-accredited Pavilion 4 expansion.
• Space & Satellite Technologies Incubator Loughborough University Space Cluster offering support for local start-ups and SMEs new to the space sector. Provides business review, market assessment, signposting, network access, and affordable accommodation in ATIC. Includes satellite data applications (GIS, meteorology, navigation, timing, communications) and precision engineering for space hardware.
• SportPark Pavilion 4 2,000 sq m Passivhaus Classic accredited office expansion at SportPark offering up to 400 sq m flexible office units for sports organisations. Features triple glazed windows, enhanced thermal efficient building fabric, external solar shading, and solar panels.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 new skilled jobs created by The Access Group's flagship headquarters development
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLLEP is delivering the SportPark Pavilion 4 expansion (2,000 sq m) as part of the Getting Building Fund (GBF). LLEP also supports the Loughborough and Leicester Science and Innovation Enterprise Zone which is driving 35-hectare expansion at LUSEP.
• Charnwood Borough CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharnwood Borough Council is a key partner in the Enterprise Zone development, providing oversight of historical business rates funding. Partnership includes support for LUinc. incubator expansion and New Business Wayfinder programme.
• Loughborough Town DealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoughborough Town Deal supports the SportPark Pavilion 4 expansion as part of the Government's Towns Fund. Also supports New Business Wayfinder programme creating incubation spaces across Loughborough.
• Leicestershire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeicestershire County Council led the development of The Access Group's flagship 10,000 sqm headquarters (largest single-occupier office new-build deal in East Midlands this century). Development generates £1.6M per year for Council frontline services.
• Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEIS is a funding partner for NCCAT (National Centre for Combustion and Aerothermal Technology), the UK's primary hub for low-emission aero gas turbine combustion research.
• Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATI partners with BEIS and Innovate UK to fund NCCAT at LUSEP, supporting UK aerospace sector technology development for future low-emission engines.
• Innovate UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInnovate UK co-funds NCCAT alongside BEIS and ATI. Tenant companies at LUSEP also access Innovate UK funding for R&D projects (e.g., Interface Polymers).
• Rolls-Royce plccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRolls-Royce supports NCCAT and maintains its University Technology Centre at LUSEP for combustion system aerothermal research. Long-standing strategic partnership with Loughborough University.
• Sport EnglandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSport England co-funded the original SportPark development launched in 2010. Partnership supports grassroots sport and creates opportunities for people to excel at sport.
• UK Space AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK Space Agency partners with Loughborough University Space Cluster to support startups and SMEs entering the space sector, providing business development resources and network access.
• iNet (Loughborough University)coreStrategic or Co-development PartneriNet provides SMEs with support and grant funding towards innovation, growth and collaborative R&D projects. Based at Loughborough University, it supports Space Cluster companies with business reviews and introductions.
• Loughborough CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLoughborough College partners with Charnwood Borough Council and Loughborough University on New Business Wayfinder programme, enhancing incubation spaces across Loughborough.
• Wates ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMain contractor for The Access Group's flagship office development (10,000 sqm), contracted through Scape Major Works UK Framework. Project completed November 2020.
• Scape Major Works UK FrameworkminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPublic sector procurement framework through which Leicestershire County Council contracted Wates Construction for The Access Group headquarters development.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sci-Tech Daresbury: STFC/UK Science & Technology Facilities Council-anchored campus in the North West focused on advanced engineering, space, and healthtech. Comparable public-sector-driven campus model with sector clustering similar to LUSEP's NCCAT/SportPark approach.
• Edinburgh BioQuarter / Edinburgh Technopole: Life science and tech innovation campuses in the Edinburgh region combining university research, NHS co-location and commercial real estate. Direct peer sharing LUSEP's university-anchored model targeting health/life science and tech tenants.
• Alderley Park: Large life sciences-focused R&D campus in Cheshire operated by Bruntwood SciTech, providing scale-up labs, offices and incubation. Comparable mixed-incubator/enterprise product offering; potential overlap with LUSEP's Health & Wellbeing Cluster tenants.
• Cambridge Science Park: UK's longest-established and largest university-affiliated science park (Cambridge Enterprise / Trinity College). Direct peer - comparable offering of R&D and grow-on office space for tech/life science tenants, university research co-location, and incubation; LUSEP is positioned against it for UK-wide enterprise occupiers.
• Surrey Research Park: University of Surrey-affiliated science park in Guildford offering similar incubation, grow-on and enterprise office space for tech/life science tenants. Direct peer with comparable property profile, university-linked research collaboration model and sector clusters.
• Manchester Science Park: Manchester Science Partnerships-operated science park hosting startups, scaleups and corporate innovation centres. Direct peer - same flex/R&D office model, broader university/city ecosystem ties, similar multi-tenant R&D buildings and sector clusters.
• Harwell Science and Innovation Campus: Large multi-tenant campus in Oxfordshire anchored by national research facilities (Diamond Light Source, STFC) and hosting space/aerospace/healthtech clusters. Direct peer comparable in scale, public-sector research partnership model, and sector clustering approach that LUSEP also pursues via NCCAT and Space Cluster.
• Milton Park (Oxfordshire): Privately-owned 250-acre business and science park operated by MEPC near Oxford, hosting life sciences, tech and R&D occupiers. Closest privately-traded analogue in the UK market - similar product (flexible offices, labs, grow-on space) and similar tenant segments (SME to enterprise R&D) that LUSEP competes against.
• Warwick Technology Park / University of Warwick Science Park: Midlands-based university-affiliated research park serving high-growth SMEs and corporate tenants. Direct regional peer competing for the same R&D and software/digital tenants in the UK Midlands market.

Regional players

• Birmingham Research Park: University of Birmingham-affiliated incubator and R&D space targeting spinouts and SMEs in the West Midlands. Regional peer with similar university spinout and incubation model but smaller scale than LUSEP.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lboroimpact

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park