Life Sciences case study: Science Creates

interior of cafe space inside Science Creates building
Image credit: Science Creates
science creates logo

Building a UK-wide ecosystem for deep tech innovation

Founded in 2015 by deep tech entrepreneurs seeking to address the resource challenges of scaling start-ups, Science Creates has grown into a robust ecosystem dedicated to nurturing and empowering deep tech start-ups across the UK. The organisation's focus is on driving improvements in both human and planetary health through a network of specialised incubators, a venture capital firm, and comprehensive support structures such as training programmes, events, and a strong community of collaborators. In addition, Science Creates operates an independent STEM outreach charity to engage the next generation of innovators, scientists and engineers.

Science Creates' ethos is to build and nurture a strong innovation community - the critical mass and support structures needed to catalyse change worldwide through groundbreaking inventions in deep tech. Seeing the sector's impact growing in the West of England, with increasing amounts of lab space, investment and maturity of companies calling the region home, is adding to the momentum.

Dr Ashley Brewer, Head of Incubators, Science Creates

Key achievements

Since its inception, Science Creates has made significant strides in building a dynamic and successful deep tech community. Key achievements include:

Supporting over 150 startups

To date, Science Creates has supported more than 150 deep tech startups. These span various industries from biotech to quantum with a focus on innovations that improve human health, planetary sustainability, and other key global challenges.

Job creation and economic contribution

According to an independent economic impact report, as of 2023 the ecosystem had supported over 370 jobs and contributed a gross annual Gross Value Added (GVA) of £125 million to the UK economy. This demonstrates Science Creates' role in strengthening the deep tech sector and its broader economic impact.

Securing investment

In 2024, startups within the Science Creates community secured more than £77 million in funding, almost tripling the previous year’s figure and reflecting the growing confidence of investors in the organisation’s vision and startups’ potential. In total, Science Creates’ member community has raised over £350 million.

Awards and recognition

In 2025, a decade since its inception, Science Creates was crowned the Tech South West Sector Supporter and its Founder, Harry Destecroix, was awarded an MBE in the Kings’ New Year Honours List for services to science.

Development of deep tech incubators

Science Creates has successfully designed and launched two deep tech incubators in central Bristol — St Philips in 2017 and Old Market in 2021 — providing high-spec lab facilities for startups. Its third incubator, OMX opened in 2026, expanding its physical footprint by 65% to 75,000 sq. ft of specialised lab, office, meeting and event space.

Growing its venture capital firm

In 2021, SCVC was established as Science Creates’ investment arm to provide targeted, early-stage funding for deep tech startups from pre-seed to Series A. SCVC announced the final close of its second fund at the end of 2024, and in 2025 made its largest investment yet in Portal Biotech’s $35 million Series A round. To date, SCVC manages over £53 million in assets and supports 18 ground-breaking deep tech startups across its portfolio.

National Engineering Biology accelerator

Funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), Science Creates runs a national Engineering Biology Accelerator programme, first launched in 2023. Across three cohorts, it has supported a total of 65 scientific founders, resulting in 55 graduate companies with 20 being formed as a direct result of the programme. The continued success of the accelerator further unlocks funding and expands collaboration with leading global venture capital firms.

UK spinout rankings

Working closely with the University of Bristol to develop much-needed innovation infrastructure in the region has resulted in the significant growth of the city’s spinout pipeline. In 2017, when Science Creates’ first St Philips incubator opened with support from the University, Bristol ranked 20th in the UK for life sciences and deep tech spinouts — in 2025 it was ranked 5th.

Empowering local young people

Its independent STEM education charity, Science Creates Outreach, continues to grow its capacity and reach across the region to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. Since it was established in 2022, the charity has engaged more than 4,500 young people through hands-on STEM workshops, inviting learners inside working Deep Tech incubators to speak to real-world scientists and undertake experiments inspired by their research.

exterior of science creates building Image credit: Science Creates

Future plans

Science Creates has ambitious plans to expand its reach and influence. Key elements of its future growth strategy include:

  • Opening a third deep tech incubator: Opening in 2026, OMX is Science Creates' new deep tech incubator in central Bristol, backed by the University of Bristol and Research England. With £8.5m in funding, the 30,000 sq. ft facility brings a further 30 high-spec labs to the region, providing essential R&D space for startups spanning from quantum to biotech. OMX addresses the critical gap in the region for larger labs and scale-up infrastructure, providing a clear pathway from lab bench to commercial scale without needing to leave the South West.
  • Scaling the VC arm: SCVC continues to deploy its second fund and expand its portfolio with early-stage startups developing game-changing technologies, guiding them through technical and commercial de-risking using its ‘technology-product fit’ model.
  • Growing the training offer: After the successful running of three Engineering Biology accelerators, Science Creates will continue to grow its training offer through more training programmes, events, resources and new strategic partnerships to support the growth of the deep tech community.
  • Offering lab design consultancy: With a decade of experience delivering deep tech incubators, Science Creates’ in-house architects and infrastructure specialists are growing their offer to support scientific startups, scale-ups, universities and industry to design and build their own innovation spaces, from building retrofits to lab fit-outs.
  • Building a national ecosystem: Science Creates is building a UK-wide, founder-led ecosystem that nurtures thousands of startups — connecting innovators, investors and academics across the country to drive deep tech innovations.

Support in the region

Science Creates has cultivated strong local and regional support, positioning Bristol as a leading hub for deep tech innovation in the UK. The company has also built strong ties with national and global entities. Their partnerships with organisations like UKRI and leading global venture capital firms have unlocked significant funding and mentorship opportunities for startups.

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