SETsquared
Based at the ‘Engine Shed’ in Bristol, SETsquared offers early-stage entrepreneurs everything they need in order to establish and grow a business and create an impact in the local tech sector. Its purpose is to serve as an ‘incubator’ for tech start-ups by providing coaching and training, workspaces and access to a network of advisers and investors.
Since its inception in 2002, SETsquared has helped more than 350 start-ups raise over £742 million in investment.
SETsquared is a part of ‘Bristol Innovations’, which is a spin-out of the University of Bristol ‘Innovation Zone’. Bristol Innovations provides labs, equipment, workspaces, training, support services, collaboration opportunities and events to start-ups, scale-ups and corporations.
SETsquared offers two highly successful incubation programmes which are subject to a membership fee, but since SETsquared is part of the University of Bristol, these membership fees are heavily discounted:
- Quest – this helps founders take an idea from concept to product in 12 months through self-paced training videos which cover core topics such as ‘financial modelling’, ‘market forecasting’ and ‘how to build a brand’.
- Propel – this helps move start-up businesses to the next level through bespoke business support, coaching and training, access to an expert network of advisers, mentors and investors, as well access and participation in a community of inspirational start-ups.
As part of these programmes, regular Business Review Panels (BRP) are held to help keep members on track. Panellists are hand-selected for each BRP based on their industry and specialisms to match the members’ requirements. The objective is to provide strategic business advice and to help members overcome challenges so they can make better-informed decisions as they progress.
SETsquared organises public events such as networking sessions and its ‘Demo Night’. The Demo Night allows founders to share their stories and talk about what they are building. Attendees can then provide honest feedback and support. These events are always relaxed and engaging and allow business folk to connect, collaborate and learn.
Also on offer from SETsquared, to both the public and SETsquared members. are workshops and courses designed to help build skills, business confidence and help create that all-important ‘mindset’ to become a successful business.
SETsquared also offers flexible workspace options to tech businesses, ranging from single desks in coworking spaces to private offices and labs. These options are available as part of the incubation membership.
As a ‘not-for-profit’ organisation, SETsquared is always seeking sponsorship, partners, panellists, mentors and investors. If you would like to contribute they would love to hear from you. Those wishing to keep up to date with SETsquare news can sign up to its monthly newsletter.
SH&P partner and patent attorney Andrew Flaxman is a proud ‘IP Expert-in-Residence’ for SETsquared. With co-ordination from our IP Systems and Business Development Director, Bob Barnes, SH&P deliver the annual SETsquared intellectual property seminar, sponsor events and regularly contribute to the range of programmes and events promoted by SETsquared.
Our patent and trade mark attorneys are also on hand to offer practical support to founders and early-stage teams. In particular, our patent attorneys Richard Turner and Andrew Flaxman, as well partner and trade mark attorney Peter Cornford, work very closely with SETsquared, offering periodic advice clinics to SETsquared members.
For more information about SETsquared, you can visit their website here
