Exeter receives substantial funding boost for business growth

Research England has today confirmed that Exeter will lead one of 20 new University Enterprise Zones across the UK, designed to stimulate local and regional economic growth.

Based at Exeter Science Park, the University of Exeter Enterprise Zone (UEEZ) will build upon an active community of entrepreneurs, innovators, startups and early-stage growth enterprises.

It will focus on generating and commercialising innovation and delivering skills that best serve the key sectors in the Exeter and South West economies. 

For Exeter, these key sectors include environmental data and digital science. The funding will leverage the technical support existing at the £6.4M Environmental Futures Big Data Impact Lab and strengthen existing business support offered by SETsquared Exeter, part of the SETsquared Partnership and the Global number one university incubator.

Reflecting on the impact of UEEZ for the region, Sean Fielding, Director of Innovation, Impact and Business remarked: “This is a great boost to Exeter’s aspirations to be a leading City in tech development. 

“The partnership between the University, SETsquared Exeter and the Exeter Science Park will help us grow the next generation of technology entrepreneurs and create an even more effective knowledge economy.”

Speaking at the launch of the 20 new UEZs, which received £20 million funding, Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said:“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy, and Exeter has a thriving ecosystem of local businesses and entrepreneurs whose creativity and determination help underpin the UK’s position as a leading innovator.

“Alongside this, many of Exeter’s research community are right on the precipice of turning ground-breaking ideas into real products and services which could change the lives not just of people in the local community, but people around the world.

“Today’s funding will not only help local scientists take their ideas from lab to market – but will also support an enterprise hub at the University of Exeter. Providing space for local businesses to forge crucial partnerships, the UEZs will create jobs, drive local growth and provide SMEs with a vital steppingstone to succeed.”

For more information on SETsquared Exeter visit the website