Bring your idea to life with Launch Space

If you have a tech-enabled business idea you would like to put into action, Launch Space can help you do just that. We’ll give you desk space, business support, and expert mentorship for up to 12 months, so you can focus on achieving great things. 

• Grow your ideas with the support of our existing and alumni founders – Launch Space is home to existing graduate-led businesses at various stages on the start-up journey, so you'll be working alongside others who have a common goal of making their vision a success.
• Develop your value proposition – Turn your pre-commercial ideas into successful business enterprises.
• Dedicate time to your business – Spend up to 12 months developing your idea with the support of our in-house team.
• Innovate and develop prototypes - Free desk space for you and your team to work together developing solutions.
• Immerse yourself in a dynamic and supportive environment – Be part of an entrepreneurial community well connected to the wider University, with support on hand when you need it.
• Access great minds and facilities – Build relationships with academics and make use of our fantastic campus facilities.
• Help to raise funds – from grant-funding to equity investment, the team will work with you to develop your applications, your pitch, and your go-to-market strategy, so you can find the best funding for your project. 

Since its formation, Launch Space has had a huge impact on the University and the region. Launch Space has helped to create over 448 jobs and continues to support budding entrepreneurs.

Our purpose

To empower entrepreneurs, developing visionary leaders who drive innovation and deliver transformative change across industries.  

Our mission

To provide fully funded support for early-stage tech founders and start-ups, offering access to vital resources, expert mentorship, and a collaborative environment that fosters the development of impactful technologies.

Our aspiration

To continue shaping the future of tech entrepreneurship in the country by ensuring start-ups have the tools and support necessary to scale quickly, build market-ready products, and lead innovation that addresses today’s global challenges.  

Our values

• Accelerate university-partnered innovation
• Foster inclusivity and diverse innovation ecosystems
• Enable sustainable, high-tech growth for start-ups

We work with a range of people, from recent graduates and first-time founders, to experienced entrepreneurs and businesses exploring new technologies. The Launch Space incubator and accelerator could be the place for you if you're in the early stages of developing your business. We're specifically looking for those that are working on innovation across key themes:

• Health and wellbeing technologies
• Creative industries and technologies
• Digital futures
• Sustainability and climate change resilience

As an entrepreneur in our incubator, you will benefit from:

• Up to 12 months free desk space to work on solutions alongside other entrepreneurs
• one-to-one mentoring with our dedicate Incubation Manager and Technical Mentor
• Business frameworks delivered by our in-house team, to guide you through the critical stages of development
• access to expert advisory services across vital themes, such as intellectual property (IP), finance, and legal
• regular community events with Future Space, including coffee mornings and monthly networking over pizza!

With access to communal networking areas, use of professional meeting rooms, and on-site hot-desks, you can get ready to launch your business.

Prototyping or building your Minimum Viable Product (MVP)?

Launch Space is co-located with the Bristol Robotics Laboratory Hardware Incubator, offering free workbench space, access to shared equipment, and regular technician drop-ins. Speak to us to find out more about how you can access this additional specialist support.

Our newly renovated incubation space sits at the heart of the University Enterprise Zone on Frenchay Campus.

Using an innovative approach with Opendesk for the main furniture, the brand-new space has co-working desks, individual workbenches, a large meeting space, and collaborative zones.

Funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Digital Innovation4Growth programme and the West of England Combined Authority, has enabled the purchase of additional tools and equipment to support incubator tenants.