Global Hubs of Industry: Exploring Leading Innovation Centres and R&D Facilities
Innovation Centres serve as a growing nucleus for specialized companies, providing world-class research and development facilities alongside flexible engineering spaces. From space clusters to energy sectors, these centres are designed to support projects with small scale manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and collaborative networking.
Westcott Innovation Centre and Space Cluster
The Westcott Innovation Centre is funded by the Local Growth Fund and Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone through the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership, and is managed by the Satellite Applications Catapult. The UK space sector took its next significant step forward with the opening of this multi-million-pound facility. We offer businesses the opportunity to hire specialist equipment for light mechanical engineering and rapid prototyping within our 600m2 flexible facility.
Core Facilities at the WIC:
- Flexible Engineering Centre – the 600m2 engineering space will house a range of specialist equipment for prototyping.
- Offices – offices of varying sizes available for short and medium term rent.
- Meeting Rooms – there are small meeting rooms alongside the offices as well as larger ones on the ground floor.
There is a growing innovation community on site, stimulated by the investment in new rocket testing facilities by the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency. These stimulate new hi-tech businesses and jobs focused around novel propulsion systems for space and the development of UAVs.
The Centre for Innovation at University of Otago
The Centre for Innovation is a world class research and development facility. Dedicated to assisting researchers, inventors and innovative companies, it is a major laboratory and research facility at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. "The Centre for Innovation provides the physical resource and stimulus for collaboration between University researchers and external organisations who seek to innovate, in partnership with University staff and students."
Site Specifications:
- Type: Education Office / Workplace Laboratory / Research
- Size: 4500m2
- Year Established: 2003
Sheffield Innovation Centre: Workspace and Business Support
The Innovation Centre, located at 217 Portobello, Sheffield, is in the heart of a thriving, green city, close to both universities. Sheffield’s renowned for engineering and manufacturing excellence, and we’re part of the Sheffield Innovation Spine, connecting key innovation hubs, research institutions, and growth-focused businesses. It offers everything your business needs, including high-speed broadband and a digital telecom system.
Key benefits include:
- Easy-in, easy-out terms available
- Modern facilities and technology
- Range of units on offer
- Great transport and road links, including basement parking for 40 vehicles.
Unit Availability in Sheffield
| Unit size (per seat) | Availability |
|---|---|
| 1-4 | 7 available |
| 5-8 | 6 available |
| 9-12 | 2 available |
| 13-16 | 3 available |
| 17-24 | 1 available |
| 24+ | 2 available |
The Innovation Centre at Bayview Yards
The Innovation Centre project involved the adaptive re-use of a c.1941 heritage-designated city works building into a brand new facility. Its primary ambition is to enable creative entrepreneurs to find resources and services to launch and develop innovative new products with a view to global market penetration. Aside from retaining over 85% of the building’s original structure, the project achieved LEED Gold certification.
"This conversion of a 1940s City Works Yard building into an Innovation Hub demonstrates how the careful and pragmatic adaptive reuse of an unprepossessing building can transform the dynamics of a neighbourhood." The interior design concept reflects the start up, development and graduation of enterprises, transitioning from a raw aesthetic in the Incubator Hall to a polished environment in the Corporate Office Space.
Somerset Energy Innovation Centre
The Somerset Energy Innovation Centre provides flexible office space for growth businesses in the Hinkley Point C supply chain, offering business support and fostering innovation for nuclear and other low-carbon energy businesses. Architecturally, the project provides a landmark building that acts as a catalyst and focal point. The building achieved BREEAM Excellent and was designed to meet British Council of Offices best practice, supporting the upskilling of the local technology sector.
