10 years of impact
What we’ve built together
In 2016, UWE Bristol and Oxford Innovation Space opened Future Space with one aim: to give Bristol’s most ambitious science and technology businesses a place to grow.
Ten years on, that idea has grown into a thriving community of 178 innovative businesses.
Our model combines four engines. The Space Engine provides offices, labs and workshops built for high-tech businesses. The Growth Engine offers expert 1:1 business support. The R&D Engine opens up UWE’s research and facilities. And the Talent Engine connects businesses with the next generation of innovators.
What we’ve built together
85% of our businesses say Future Space has significantly accelerated their innovation
Who we support
Our community spans the sectors shaping the future: advanced engineering, digital technology,
health and life sciences, green technology and business consultancy.
The next 10 years start now. Whether you’re building your first prototype or scaling a team, there’s space f
you at Future Space.
Our fantastic team
Professor Matt Freeman
Centre Director
A Professor of Digital Media, Matt brings with him a wealth of innovation experience across both industry and academia. Having led a research centre at Bath Spa University and a marketing consultancy for immersive technologies, Matt’s skills revolve around R&D, strategy and audience development in the context of emerging technologies, publishing nine books on the topic. As Centre Director, Matt acts as Future Space’s figurehead, building a strategy for the centre’s future growth as well as cultivating partnerships across both UWE and the wider tech ecosystem.
Tom El-Shawk
Centre Manager
Tom has a diverse work history which will allow him to make Future Space a community of talent, creativity and big picture thinking and somewhere that businesses can grow and collaborate. As a centre manager Tom will always be visible and available to Future Space members and welcomes visits from those who are interested in learning more about what we do here. Tom is hoping to make positive changes, and he encourages everyone to share their ideas to make the most of an already brilliant place to create and innovate.
Thanh Quan-Nicholls
Innovation Manager
With 20 years of professional management and commercial experience, Thanh is business connector and an expert in business growth. She has set up three successful and award-winning co-working spaces and headed up Economic Development at Bristol City Council. Thanh was previously UWE’s Digital Innovation Lead and is also Co-founder of Women’s Tech Hub Bristol. As Innovation Manager, Thanh supports the FS business community to be at the centre of the region’s science and technology activities.
Chris Pearson
Assistant Centre Manager
Chris graduated from The Open University with a degree in International Studies & Politics, and he is an experienced Operations Manager with a background in retail and warehouse management. Chris is excited to be able to use his experience leading large teams in fast- paced, customer-focused environments to have a positive impact at Future Space.
Hellen Schlueb
Assistant Innovation Manager
Hellen graduated with a BSc in Biology from Universidad de la República in Uruguay, also gaining experience in clinical laboratories. In 2024, she relocated to the UK and worked as a project coordinator, supporting global initiatives across research and innovation. Currently completing an MSc in Molecular Biology, Hellen brings a research-driven mindset and a structured yet adaptable approach to supporting Future Space’s tech community.
Dr Sharon Chadwick
Lab Supervisor
Sharon has a background in molecular biology, and medical devices and has worked for several University spinout companies. She brings experience of working in many varied lab environments from Universities (with a Degree from Bristol University and PhD in Cancer Genetics from Birmingham University) to company labs, which is extremely helpful for assisting the businesses using the facilities.
Emilia Gregory
Lab Technician
Emilia has a broad scientific background spanning Biochemistry (MSci, University of Manchester) and Neurobiology (PhD, University of Liverpool) with experience working in diverse academic and industrial labs. After finishing her PhD, she has turned her interests to translating academic research into innovative business solutions that solve real-world issues. She is excited to be at Future Space and support the laboratory needs of our members.
Fiona Palmer
Customer Experience Assistant
After graduating with a degree in Theology, Fiona worked for a national youth charity in the South West for many years. Since moving to Bristol she has worked in various capacities for U.W.E. (University of the West of England). Fiona has a passion for learning and research and is now looking forward to getting to know a whole new community of inspiring people in Future Space.
Gabriel Winbolt
Customer Experience Assistant
Gabriel has extensive experience in customer service, visitor-facing roles and administrative support within cultural institutions. Skilled in IT systems, CRM platforms and the efficient delivery of daily operations, he is a confident communicator with a strong commitment to learning and teamwork, seeking to develop professionally within the heritage and public sectors.
There is no doubt in my mind that fostering an entrepreneurial atmosphere on our campus is a win for our students and our research community, as we know that by collaborating and nurturing business we create a climate of innovation that has a ripple effect.”
Professor Steve West, UWE Bristol Vice-Chancellor
Powered by UWE Bristol
Co-located alongside the Bristol Robotics Laboratory, the Centre for Print Research, the Health Tech Hub and the Launch Space incubator in the heart of the UWE Bristol campus, Future Space drives the university’s ambitions to prepare students with entrepreneurial skills, spark collaborations between UWE Bristol researchers, innovators and commercialise the latest research.
Putting enterprise at the heart of innovation
Future Space is part of one of four University Enterprise Zones in the UK. The West of England University Enterprise Zone provides facilities and services to companies specialising in robotics, biosciences, medical technologies, and other high-tech sectors.
The University Enterprise Zone has been led by UWE Bristol, with support from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.
We are proud to be part of Oxford Innovation Space, the premier network of innovation centre operators in the UK and Ireland. Managing the UK’s largest network of innovation centres, housing over 1,000 innovative early-stage businesses, they provide flexible workspace, and expert business support, and forge invaluable partnerships with local enterprise ecosystems, helping start-ups and growing businesses to thrive.
- Founded by The Oxford Trust to provide support to science, technology, and knowledge-led early-stage companies
- The largest operator of innovation centres in the UK – we have over 35 years of experience of running spaces and places to support SMEs and entrepreneurs
- Our clients are universities, research and major science site owners, public sector, private investors and charities
- We deliver a range of objectives: support to high-growth SMEs and spin outs, on-going revenue and financial sustainability, economic development, jobs growth, profile, and business engagement
- Access to Beauhurst – a searchable database of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses
- One of the largest Angel Investment Networks in the UK
- Access to active investors who can add value to early-stage companies, in addition to capital
- Seven investment showcase events every year so that selected companies can meet potential investors
- Access to support and tools from Oxford Innovation Finance
Future Space has helped us meet engineers and scientists that we can collaborate with to develop products using advanced materials and design tools that enhance our own ideas. It’s also a great place to meet people from different scientific disciplines that are interested in what we are developing."
Lance Hiley, Managing Director at Mass Spec Analytical
