Bristol Innovations
The University of Bristol's catalyst for innovation.
Turning ideas into reality
We offer businesses access to cutting-edge research, technology and talent, creating breakthrough solutions and scalable commercial opportunities that drive growth.
Building on a proud culture of equity and inclusion, we’re working to grow the value and diversity of Bristol as a global leader for innovation - with new investment from industry and government.
Bristol Innovations Zone
At the heart of the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, the Bristol Innovations Zone (BIZ) is a transformative, interdisciplinary approach to collaborative innovation.
With flexible co-working and event spaces, specialist labs, state-of-the-art equipment, skills training, support services and events, we’re growing an active community of forward-thinking businesses into a dynamic innovation ecosystem.
Opening fully in 2026, BIZ offers start-ups, scale-ups and corporations a gateway to in-depth interdisciplinary collaboration with expert researchers from all faculties of the University of Bristol – working on high-impact innovation to address critical business challenges.
Our offer for businesses
- Collaborative space: flexible, interdisciplinary space for co-working, networking and events.
- Labs & equipment: Access to specialist labs, state-of-the-art equipment, and technical expertise.
- Support for innovation & collaborative R&D: including networking events, innovation sandboxes, bid development, programme delivery, joint projects and structured partnerships.
- Skills & training: including the award-winning SETsquared programme.
- Gateway: Deep links into the University’s research community, talent pool and facilities.
- Community: Access to an active network of like-minded business innovators.
- Membership: A structured model with tiered benefits (including a dedicated account manager for our key partners).
Opportunities for collaboration
Artificial intelligence
For over two decades, Bristol has remained at the forefront of advances in AI. Crowned ‘AI University of The Year’ in 2024, we lead two UKRI flagship hubs (AI for Collective Intelligence and  INFORMED-AI) and two UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training (Practice-Oriented AI and Interactive AI). We are also home to Isambard AI – one of the world’s most powerful and sustainable supercomputers, backed with £225 million from UK government.
Connectivity and telecoms
Bristol’s Smart Internet Lab is one of the UK’s most renowned information and communications technology research centres. It is a focal point for investment that is powering 6G and a co-founder of the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN), which co-ordinates 500 advanced telecoms companies and is driving the agenda for growth.
Quantum technologies
From photonics to computing, sensing, measurement and cryptography, quantum has the potential to transform the way we tackle global challenges. With a cross-disciplinary team of over 150 academics, dedicated support services and purpose-built facilities at our Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre, Bristol is a pioneer in the field.
Advanced materials
The NCC and the Bristol Composites Institute form a world-leading composites R&D hub, providing expert advice, training and support with over £250m invested in state-of-art automated composite manufacturing technologies. We are also a co-founder of MATcelerate ZERO, a collaboration that aims to accelerate the commercialisation of new materials to help us meet emissions targets.
Next-generation microchips
Delivered in collaboration with over 30 business partners, the £11 million UKRI-funded REWIRE Innovation and Knowledge Centre at the University of Bristol is developing the next generation of semiconductor power device technologies, to aid the delivery of net zero ambitions and enhance the resilience of the UK’s semiconductor supply chain.
Work with us
Partnerships
Discover how your business can work in partnership with the University of Bristol to help achieve your objectives, solve challenges, develop skills and innovate to help you prepare for the future.
Shape policy and practice
Access policy-relevant research from across the University of Bristol, including policy briefings and bespoke reports tailored for non-academic audiences.
Technologies and spin-outs
Find out about technologies and spin-out companies from the University of Bristol - and how you can work with them to drive your business forward.
Engage with research
Embed innovation in your business with expert consultancy and collaborative research and development funding.
Business incubation
Grow your business with incubation and training from SETsquared Bristol. Tech startups and entrepreneurs receive bespoke business support, alongside an investor and adviser network and a community of startups and scaleups.
Deep tech lab space
Access cutting-edge facilities at Bristol's Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre, including high-spec dry labs, equipment and workspace, plus a network of some of the most exciting companies in quantum and deep tech.
Connect, grow, collaborate
Join Engine Shed, Bristol’s innovation hub next to Temple Meads station. Connect, collaborate and grow with access to space, membership, training and events.
Public engagement
Find out how community groups, organisations and the public can collaborate with our researchers to address societal challenges and improve lives.
Connect with us
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Latest news
Get the latest innovation and enterprise news from the University of Bristol.
Foresight
Our digital publication Foresight provides authoritative, in-depth insights into the business of innovation, helping readers understand the implications and practical uses of ground breaking scientific and technological developments.