Base One is London's newest science and technology hub. Owned by Imperial College London and operated by science specialists Sciopolis, Base One is unlocking the future of British advanced manufacturing through the adjacency of affordable R&D facilities and industrial space.

Base One (previously 1 Portal Way) launches today offering a blueprint for the growth of advanced manufacturing in Britain by supporting high-growth scientific companies to scale in the UK.

The 55,000 sq ft innovation hub offers affordable, high-quality, ready-to-occupy labs and offices for deep tech companies and aims to solve the ‘space problem’ for innovators who have often struggled to find flexible, cost-effective spaces that can adapt with their businesses as they progress from R&D to prototyping and production.

Base One, in London’s North Acton, is part of Imperial’s Old Oak Innovation Cluster and sits at the heart of WestTech London, a place-based innovation ecosystem, established and anchored by Imperial, which brings together world-class research, global talent, industry and infrastructure to create jobs, attract investment, drive growth and cement the UK’s position as a leader in science and technology. 

Base One has been designed for established science ventures which are entering their next stage of growth – whether Imperial spinouts or science-based ventures from anywhere else. Base One’s facilities support ongoing R&D and product development, as well as prototyping and early-stage manufacturing. It is located alongside Grapht Works, Imperial’s dedicated advanced manufacturing facility for companies moving into pilot, demo and commercial manufacturing.

Together, these two innovation facilities create a new hub for advanced manufacturing, with innovators able to move seamlessly from lab bench to factory floor – supporting the UK’s mission to reinvent its industrial heritage for the modern age.

Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, said:

“West London is fast becoming a leading centre for science, technology and advanced manufacturing, and Base One is a fantastic addition to the growing innovation cluster at Old Oak and Park Royal.

By giving pioneering companies the affordable, flexible space they need to move from research and development to production, Base One will help more businesses start, grow and scale in London—creating good jobs, attracting investment and supporting a new era of British manufacturing, as we build a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”

Base One is open to innovative companies from all science sectors, ranging from biotech to chemistry, cleantech, advanced materials, AI and beyond. The hub offers the expertise of specialist landlord Sciopolis, on the ground support from Imperial Incubator’s lab manager, as well as connection to Imperial’s innovation ecosystem.

All occupiers will benefit from connections to Imperial’s world-leading experts and academics, a pipeline of exceptional STEMB graduate talent, access to specialist equipment and facilities, as well as a network of connections to founders, funders and collaborators. 

Base One occupies a strategic location in a growing innovation area, Old Oak Innovation Cluster. It is minutes from Imperial's White City Campus and Hammersmith Hospital Campus, and borders Park Royal Industrial Estate, London's largest industrial estate, which currently employs more than 40,000 people and has more than a century of manufacturing heritage.

It sits within the wider regeneration of Old Oak, the largest regeneration opportunity in London, which is to be transformed by the Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation and the future Old Oak Common superhub, which will connect HS2, the Elizabeth line and GWR, making it the UK’s third busiest station and offering unique connectivity to innovation clusters across the UK including in Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge.

As Base One launches, it welcomes its third occupier Nanomox, who will manufacture and commercialise their pioneering high-transparency zinc oxide, designed for use in mineral sunscreens, cosmetics, rubber and electronics, from the hub.

Nanomox joins existing occupiers including women’s intimate health company P.Happi®, sold in Boots, which is manufacturing its microbiome-focused products and Ki 13, the award-winning cleantech company which has created the world’s most cost-effective solution for converting abundant biomass into green hydrogen and biogenic CO2. 

Hugh Brady, President, Imperial College London: “As we welcome Base One into WestTech London we strengthen our contribution to the UK’s network of national innovation assets, supporting a truly vibrant innovation ecosystem that’s competitive with the very best in the world. Starting from our base in West London, we are enabling a genuinely national asset, with strong links and partnerships to innovation clusters across the UK, such as the West Midland’s manufacturing base for robotics, AI and deep high-value supply chains, and centres of research excellence in Harwell, Oxford, the Bristol Innovation Arc, Cardiff, and beyond.”  

“For too long high-growth companies have struggled to find the space they need to scale in the UK”, said Charlie Mitchell, CEO of Sciopolis.“We are responding to this pressing need by creating quality, affordable and read-to-occupy options that enable companies to remain in London, supported by a university-connected in an environment that is engineered for growth. Base One and the wider Old Oak Innovation Cluster are a blueprint for advanced manufacturing in Britain.”

“Base One is the only destination in London that enables us to start manufacturing whilst remaining in an ecosystem built for our stage of growth, where we can scale up production alongside likeminded companies solving similar problems.” Said Dr Francisco Malaret, Founder and CEO of Nanomox.

“Scaling out of the lab and into hardware engineering for the first time is challenging, Base One and its adjacent advanced industrial site enables us to be co-located with other innovators at similar stages to share learnings,” said Koji Muto, Co-founder and CEO of Ki 13. “North Acton delivers everything we need at this crucial stage in our growth – accessibility, affordability and flexibility.”

"We're proud to have our Lab Manager onsite at Base One, supporting every innovator who moves in. Imperial Incubator has always backed early-stage companies: with our presence at Base One, we can now stay with them through the delicate scaling stage too, offering our technical and network expertise as they take their next step" said Graham Hewson, Head of Incubation and Prototyping Space, Imperial College London. 

Explore Base One, North Acton