This blog is part of the "Building Momentum" series by Charlie Mitchell, CEO of Sciopolis.

Most scientists and innovators didn’t get into research thinking that they would need to become real estate experts. But for years, that’s exactly what they’ve had to do.

Just imagine that you’ve got a breakthrough idea, a small team and a ticking clock. But instead of diving into your science or technology development, you’re stuck negotiating leases, hiring contractors, and figuring out how to build a lab or a space for your technical work. 

It’s nine to twelve months before you can even start. That’s not just frustrating, it’s a momentum killer.

And the risks aren’t just delays. They can also be costly mistakes.

One of the most promising companies we know had a simple plan: install a shower head in their lab to clean the benches. Straightforward, right? But somewhere along the way, the spec got lost in translation. The builders installed a full residential shower: tray, tiling, curtain- bang in the middle of the lab. The founder laughed about it later as it was a relatively small and low-cost mistake, but think about the disruption, the cost, and the aggro of fixing something that should have taken five minutes to get right.

This kind of thing happens all the time.

Founders are forced to make decisions about plumbing, lighting, HVAC, and lease terms, all while trying to build a company. It’s a distraction they can’t afford.

That’s why we’re building ready-to-occupy lab and office space at One Portal Way, with our laboratories being suitable for a broad range of technical work including life sciences, chemistry, biology, cleantech, robotics, computing etc.

Think of it like a hotel room for science. Walk in, plug in, and get going. No delays. No distractions. Just space that works from day one.

We’ve seen brilliant founders waste time and money on fit-outs that don’t suit their needs. We’ve watched teams burn through runway before they’ve even run an experiment. We’ve seen scientists trying to decipher lease clauses when they should be designing experiments.

So we’re flipping the model. Our spaces come fully equipped: flexible lab space, offices, meeting rooms, event spaces, and even a café.( check out One Portal Way, opening in June 2026)

But the building is only half the story. The other, and arguably more important, half is what happens inside it and how we support our tenants to be successful

From branding to legal advice, from mentorship to marketing help, we’re building a service proposition that wraps around the space and helps companies grow.

We’re not just offering square footage. We’re offering momentum.

 And for small science companies, that can make all the difference.

One Portal Way launches in June 2026: book your tour now