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OUR LOCATIONS We are busy building a network of sites across key locations. Watch this space for further announcements! ONE PORTAL WAY NEW: Exciting opportunity for ready-to-occupy laboratory and office space, with great amenities, in a well connected & strategic location, linked to Imperial. FIND OUT MORE CAMBRIDGE We are looking at opportunities in Cambridge for new innovation spaces that would suit early-stage science and technology businesses. Get in touch if you would like to find out more ENQUIRE NOW WANT TO DEVELOP A NEW INNOVATION HUB? Contact us to discuss how we can help convert existing space or build and activate new Innovation Hubs for science and technology businesses. +44 7943 980146 info@sciopolis.co.uk sciopolis

REMARKABLE PLACES where science & technology businesses grow LATEST NEWS 6 Oct 2025 October - Monthly Update From Strategy to Execution: find out what we've been up to, and what is coming up next Read More Sciopolis provides science and technology companies with the workspace and support they need to grow. We partner with landlords, universities, institutions and local government to deliver and operate thriving Innovation Hubs for early-stage science and technology businesses. By offering well designed, ready-to-occupy lab and office space, coupled with great amenities and offered to tenants under flexible lease terms, we make it possible for innovative companies to move in without having to invest upfront capital and to focus on growing their business. In parallel with our space provision, and arguably more importantly, we also activate an exciting ecosystem proposition, connecting tenants with the right support from universities, service providers and other organisations, to help them overcome their scaling challenges and increase their chances of success. Sciopolis is building a network of Innovation Hubs across strategic locations, with plans underway to deliver 100,000 ft of space in the next 12 months, initially focused in London and the Golden Triangle. ABOUT US WHAT WE OFFER TO LANDLORDS We support landlords, universities or local government who wish to create science and technology Innovation Hubs, by either converting existing sites or creating new ones. Our focus is on pragmatic, cost-effective and speedy delivery, coupled with meaningful ecosystem activation. Design & Build We know how to design, build, fit-out, activate and operate such spaces cost effectively. We can support every stage of the process Ecosystem creation Our experience and connections gained from years in the sector allow us to create the right mix of contacts and services to support our tenants Identity & promotion We are experienced at creating compelling propositions that will attract the right tenants and enhance the value of your asset Operational Support We are invested in the spaces we create and play an active part in operating them efficiently, to support the growth of our innovators’ community WHAT WE OFFER TO SCIENCE & TECH VENTURES We create functional and inspiring lab and office spaces, with shared amenities and event programmes to support growing science & technology businesses. Ready-to-occupy lab solutions Flexible service proposition Ecosystem connections Thematic clustering Allowing ventures to move in quickly, minimise upfront capital expenditure and operate cost effectively We offer a range of lease options to match the needs of each stage of a venture’s journey We connect tenants into scientific and commercial networks that will solve problems, save time and create opportunities We curate and nurture thematic communities at each of our locations, to drive focused collaboration We are busy scoping out innovation sites in Cambridge and London, comprising of lab, office and event spaces. If you are looking for space, please get in touch so we can capture your requirements early. NEED LABORATORY & OFFICE SPACE? WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT We start from the tenants, not the building. We know what early-stage science and technology innovators need, and we build with their needs front of mind. Speed Speedy and cost-effective deployment, with site opening as early as 12 months from sign-off. Deep Expertise Networks Commitment We have the expertise to design, build, fit-out, tenant-activate and operate such spaces. Experience and connections gained from years in the sector allow us to create the right conditions for ventures to thrive. We are passionate about creating the right infrastructure to support UK Innovation. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER Name Email Thanks for submitting! SIGN ME UP Sciopolis needs the contact information you provide to us to contact you about our products and services. You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time. For information on how to unsubscribe, as well as our privacy practices and commitment to protecting your privacy, please review our Privacy Policy . THE TEAM An executive team with specific expertise. Combining skills, experience and networks to build and operate spaces for successful science ventures. Charlie Mitchell 20 years executing major projects in the oil and gas sector before leading the development, building, fit-out and operations at ScaleSpace, a life science hub in west London, in partnership with Imperial College. A proven record of implementing complex projects at speed. Adam Kelliher A seasoned life-science entrepreneur with more than 20 years experience in the sector. Took two companies from inception to exit and IPO, an experienced CEO of both public and private companies. He is a partner in the Venture Builder, Alkamis. Mark Sanders 25 years’ experience in building businesses, Mark was most recently Executive Chairman of Scale Space. Prior to that, Mark worked with the UK’s leading digital venture builder, Blenheim Chalcot, and was CEO of TDX Group, taking it through to an eventual sale in 2014. Caterina Rigoni With 25 years of marketing experience, Cat most recently served as Director of Marketing at Scale Space and assisted Imperial College London and the White City Innovation District. Expert at brand buiding and ecosystem creation. Lee Harle >25 years experience of building businesses and joint-ventures in consumer goods, technology and life-science industries, including deal-making for multinational companies. Deep experience in both emerging & developed economies. He is a partner in the Venture Builder Alkamis. Zara Davidian Zara has spent 21 years at Imperial working in various commercial roles. She has led strategic initiatives, drove operational improvements and managed complex stakeholder relationships. Skilled in business planning and project delivery, she has a collaborative leadership style. CONTACT US Contact us to discuss how we can help convert existing space or build and activate new Innovation Hubs for science and technology businesses. +44 7943 980146 info@sciopolis.co.uk sciopolis

LATEST INSIGHTS News One Portal Way Origin Sciopolis 6 Oct 2025 News October - Monthly Update From Strategy to Execution: find out what we've been up to, and what is coming up next Read More 8 Apr 2025 Sciopolis Can your building be turned into an Innovation Hub? Only a Feasibility Study can tell. If you are thinking of converting an existing site to host science, a feasibility study is what you need. Read More 10 Sept 2025 News Summer Update 2025 Monthly Update: We're Back! New appointment, awards, and exciting developments — all in one place. Read More 8 July 2025 Sciopolis Monthly Update- June As June brought both sunshine and serious conversations, the team been on the move, connecting with innovators, exploring new campuses and diving deep into the future of place-based innovation. Read More 23 May 2025 Sciopolis University spinouts are struggling, and here's why. University spinouts are struggling to get funding and infrastructure to grow. Read our analysis. Read More 5 May 2025 Sciopolis Our Monthly Update is here - April 2025 We filmed, selected strategic partners, learnt about innovative materials, visited interesting locations and went to the pub. Read what April was all about. Read More 25 Apr 2025 Sciopolis What can we learn from Dubai’s Innovation Hub? A masterclass in developing an ecosystem that integrates work and life seamlessly. Read More 16 Sept 2025 News Scaling Stories: how community can help founders thrive Executive Chairman Mark Sanders explores how fostering a culture of empathy and understanding in the workplace is key to high performance and combating founder loneliness Read More 9 Apr 2025 Sciopolis Record £13.9 billion of R&D funding unveiled to boost innovation Our Chairman Mark Sanders welcomes the announcement in our latest blog. Read More 16 July 2025 Sciopolis UK startups: brilliant at the baby stage, but what about adolescence? Sciopolis reacts to today's UK Government's Life Sciences Sector Plan Read More 25 Mar 2025 Sciopolis UK Life Sciences miss out on £15bn to global rivals Isn't it time to build infrastructure to retain innovators and help them grow? Hear from our Chairman, Mark Sanders. Read More 11 Nov 2024 Origin, Sciopolis The Crown Estate to breathe new life into Cambridge Business Park Bold proposals to support the UK’s science, innovation and technology ambitions by providing office and lab spaces for start-ups and established businesses. Read More 29 Nov 2023 Sciopolis Sciopolis (sai-op-o-liss) - What's in the name? Hidden away in out-of-sight locations such as university basements, rural company HQ’s... Read More 17 Sept 2025 News #1 Reuse first A series exploring the everyday decisions that shape a more sustainable future. From fixing instead of replacing to reusing what already exists, we believe sustainability starts with common sense. Read More 9 Sept 2025 News Looking for Labs? Here's 5 pitfalls to avoid Founders often underestimate the hidden costs of spending months on complex lab setups. To help you steer clear of common missteps, here are five pitfalls to watch out for. Read More 31 July 2025 One Portal Way, Sciopolis One Portal Way, Old Oak - Sciopolis Appointment Sciopolis is appointed by Imperial to launch new scale-up space for science and technology ventures in Old Oak, London Read More 4 Sept 2025 News Scaling Stories: how do you know when to step aside as a founder? Our Executive Chairman discusses the challenges of stepping aside as a strategy for accelerating business growth Read More 26 Oct 2025 News Why Ready-to-Occupy Labs are a game-changer for innovators By Charlie Mitchell, CEO of Sciopolis Read More 2 June 2025 Sciopolis Our Monthly Update - May 2025 How we built our team, network and pipeline last month Read More 19 Mar 2025 Origin, Sciopolis Sciopolis appointed as Development Advisor by The Crown Estate Sciopolis has been appointed to look at the feasibility of activating science and technology innovation at Cambridge Business Park. Read More 10 June 2025 Sciopolis Feasibility Study: designing the Heart of Innovation in Hammersmith & Fulham We have been appointed to run a feasibility study for Hammersmith & Fulham's Civic Campus Read More 10 Oct 2025 News Notes from Italian Tech Week 2025 What are the emerging trends in AI and Life Sciences? Our Director of Ecosystem explores some findings from her recent trip to Italian Tech Week in Turin. Read More 16 Apr 2025 Sciopolis Cleantech solutions for Real Estate? We want to hear from you Do you have a sustainable construction material or product you would like to see adopted? Talk to us! Read More 3 Apr 2025 Sciopolis The Times: Universities slash equity stakes in tech spinouts Sciopolis Chairman Mark Sanders reacts to the news that University equity stakes in tech spinouts have fallen to a ten-year low of 16.1% Read More 31 Mar 2025 Sciopolis Our Monthly Update - March 2025 March was a great month for Sciopolis, with events, a major announcement and many community building moments. Read More 11 Mar 2025 Origin, Sciopolis Origin Public Consultation: see what is being proposed and have your say. View the developing plans for The Crown Estate’s first Innovation Hub, in Cambridge Business Park. Read More 14 Oct 2024 Sciopolis Imperial announces a major investment in Old Oak Imperial has identified a need for flexible and affordable follow-on space to enable innovators to stay and scale in West London. Read More 9 Sept 2025 News Scaling Stories: prioritising location for a successful growth strategy The entrepreneur and Sciopolis CEO/Executive Chairman explores how your company’s physical space can make or break your scaling ambitions Read More 18 May 2023 Sciopolis British Land To Turbocharge Massive Life Sciences and Innovation Drive REIT Plans 2 Million Square Feet of Development Including Possible Debenhams Makeover Read More

26 Oct 2025 Why Ready-to-Occupy Labs are a game-changer for innovators 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

10 Oct 2025 Notes from Italian Tech Week 2025 Reflection from Italian Tech Week by Cat Rigoni, Director of Marketing & Ecosystem, Sciopolis I was at Italian Tech Week in Turin last week, and I’ve been buzzing with ideas since. So many glimpses into a near and fast-approaching future, so many reasons to feel optimistic. But one thought has stayed with me more than any other: AI is no longer just the how , it’s becoming the what . That shift, from enabler to essence, is already reshaping how innovation happens in healthcare, and the Evening Standard article earlier this week reminded me of it: 👉 Doctors swapping stethoscopes for startups — The story of Cera, founded by Dr Ben Maruthappu, is particularly telling. What began as a marketplace connecting carers has evolved into a fully integrated homecare model powered by AI, where data, logistics, and service delivery merge into one intelligent system. Domain expertise as the new differentiator The article also underscored something we don’t talk about enough: domain expertise is the new frontier of innovation. A lot of the talks in Turin were about AI “unencumbering humanity” from menial tasks, from legacy and from infrastructure: a real industrial revolution, which is in constant acceleration towards us. Clinicians who turn founders, often out of frustration with the slow-moving reality of the NHS, bring a rare combination of depth and urgency. They understand patient journeys, system inefficiencies, and the human cost of delay. And when that knowledge and domain expertise is freed from the weight of legacy infrastructure, innovation can move at the speed of insight. Robotics and the redefinition of surgical work That same re-imagination is happening inside the operating theatre. One of the most riveting sessions in Turin featured Jason Hart and surgeon Filippo Filicori — offering a glimpse into the near future of surgical robotics. It showed, with startling clarity, how precision machines will soon handle the long, intricate, painstaking tasks of surgery, allowing humans to focus only where judgment still matter most. With AI now predicting surgical risks upfront and recommending which parts of an operation it can safely take over, the role of the surgeon is rapidly evolving. Instead of standing for hours in physically demanding positions over a patient, surgeons can operate seated via a VR console, collaborating in real time with colleagues across the globe. They can focus solely on the value-add parts of the procedure: the moments requiring judgment, adaptability and empathy. For routine tasks like suturing? Voilà: press autopilot and let the machine handle it. The surgeon of tomorrow will be less a manual operator and more a conductor of complex systems. The implications are huge in terms of training of resources(quicker thanks to simulators), accessing excellence (easier, if you only need a fraction of the surgeon's time) and equality of care (potentially guaranteed, if you are freed up of geographic constraints and can be operated remotely). A new anatomy of medicine What we’re witnessing is the fusion of biology, code and mechanics into a continuum. AI, once the invisible engine of analysis, is becoming the solution itself. Robotics, once peripheral, is entering the core of clinical work. And humans — doctors, researchers, innovators- are hastily repositioning themselves where machines cannot (yet) reach: at the intersection of judgment, ethics, and imagination. It’s the future, and it’s close. We’re talking years, not decades. But where are we , in this picture? For all the brilliance and excitement during the three day event, one thing felt very absent for me: an honest, philosophical and anthropological conversation about the future of mankind when machines take over. I heard a lot about acceleration, automation, and unencumbering humanity from tasks, but no one attempted as much as a sketch of how we , the humans, fit into this. What is our purpose when we are totally unencumbered? How long before the surgeon doesn't even need to do the value-add bit of the operation? There’s a growing unease in the silence. Are we not talking about it because it would generate panic? Does Jeff Bezos know something we don’t? Is he building subterranean bunkers for a reason? We don’t need blind optimism, we need the right forums to socialise our role in this space, to talk openly about ethics, agency, the price we pay for progress and the kind of society we want to build alongside intelligent machines (if we are allowed to exist, that is). Innovation without introspection risks becoming alienating. Follow us on LinkedIn

16 Sept 2025 Scaling Stories: how community can help founders thrive When launching a new business, there are a few key things you must consider: what you enjoy doing, location and building a high-performing team. Experienced founders will know that the latter is key to longevity. Building a strong community of people not only fosters a supportive and collaborative environment but it also means you are sharing the scaling journey with other people, which is so important and necessary when you consider how lonely it can be as an entrepreneur. There's the unseen part of being a founder or an entrepreneur. It’s the work you're doing when you're not in the office; the kind of things that tend to consume your mind. You'll find yourself sneaking stuff in an evening and a weekend because you've got to keep up with the pace of everything. Inevitably, that does mean you make sacrifices in your family life. Giving up time to work on getting ready for the week ahead or catching up on the week before. This is where you see the benefits of being near to people who are having a similar journey. As a founder, there is an expectation to know everything, but knowing that you don’t know everything and being willing to ask for help is a very powerful leadership move. What matters is having a supportive network around you. Whether it’s collaborating with your team to get the best out of them as part of the community or talking to a peer in another industry, who just happens to be in the same building about things you're wrestling with, is really helpful. The more someone feels they belong to a community the more likely they are to perform at a high level and the less likely they are to leave. It’s well documented that being a founder and an entrepreneur is a lonely gig. Not only is community vital for helping to combat that, it is key for fostering employee engagement and for boosting productivity. 👉 If you believe in growing in the right community, explore our locations and be part of something big, from the start.

10 June 2025 Feasibility Study: designing the Heart of Innovation in Hammersmith & Fulham The new Hammersmith Civic Campus is already turning heads— the distinctive RHSP design, bathed in summer light, is a confident, colourful development that reflects an equally bold vision. As the borough’s leader Stephen Cowan put it during our project briefing: “You decide every day if you want to be the most miserable or the best version of yourself. Working in a place like this inspires you to be creative, to bring energy, to be the most innovative version of yourself.” That’s exactly the kind of environment we aim to help create. With Upstream London, Phase 2 of its Industrial Strategy , Hammersmith & Fulham Council is building on the success of the White City Innovation District – its joint collaboration with Imperial College London. The ambition is to extend its STEM³ innovation formula—science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine, and media—across the entire borough. Creating an “Innovation Borough” is no small feat. It demands a clear-eyed understanding of local strengths and gaps, thoughtful integration of existing assets, and the creation of new infrastructure that complements rather than duplicates. Most importantly, it requires a central place—a visible, vibrant hub where this vision can come to life. That’s where Sciopolis comes in. We’ve been commissioned by Hammersmith & Fulham Council to deliver a Feasibility Study exploring what the “innovation heart” of the Civic Campus could and should be. Over the coming weeks, we’ll be working closely with Councillor Cowan and his team to shape a space that reflects the borough’s ambition and supports its innovation ecosystem. What We are Exploring As with all our feasibility work, we’re focusing on two key dimensions: · The Space: What should the physical environment look and feel like? What kinds of behaviours and interactions should it encourage? How can design support collaboration, creativity, and serendipity? · The Mission and Ecosystem: Who will use this space—and why? How do we attract the right mix of people, organisations, and ideas? What makes this hub distinct, and how does it connect to other local innovation assets? We’ll be mapping the borough’s capabilities, speaking with stakeholders, and identifying emerging needs. Our goal is to propose a space that is inclusive, future-facing, and deeply embedded in the local innovation narrative. Let’s Build This Together This is the kind of project we love: ambitious, collaborative, and rooted in place. But before we start designing solutions, we want to hear from you. 📣 Are you based in Hammersmith & Fulham? Do you work in science, tech, media, or innovation and have ideas about how the Civic Campus could support your work or your community? Are you interested in taking space and being part of this ecosystem? 👉 We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a message and help shape the future of innovation in your borough. 👉Read more about Upstream London: Hammersmith & Fulham’s Industrial Strategy

14 Oct 2024 Imperial announces a major investment in Old Oak

4 Sept 2025 Scaling Stories: how do you know when to step aside as a founder? You’ve started a business and thrown all your creativity and passion into building it into a successful start-up but then comes the inevitable running of the machine. Retaining the momentum of the company is a key part of that process but there comes a time in the journey of many a founder when the skills that built the company aren’t the skills needed to help it accelerate. Here, Mark Sanders, Sciopolis founder and CEO, explores how to know when this moment has arrived and how to take action . I recently stumbled across an article in The Standard entitled ‘ Want to Grow Faster? It Might Be Time to Replace Yourself’ and found a lot of truth in it. Many successful businesses go through phases where the leadership changes and that can often be the best move for the company, the customers and even the founder. The skills and energy needed to start a business are not always the same as those required to grow it. Starting out is about creativity, momentum and solving problems. Scaling is about discipline, systems and structures. There is honesty in knowing what you enjoy and what you’re good at. In my career, I have always gravitated to growth areas or new ventures, even within big organisations. I wanted to focus on the creativity of building something and learning. And if your passion is innovation and invention, you might not want to be involved in the detail, in the minutiae of how a business operates. This all becomes necessary as you grow but that doesn’t mean it drives your passion. A good example is my time at TDX. The founder was hugely innovative but didn’t want to run a large, complex operation. I came in to handle the parts he didn’t want to do, eventually becoming CEO. Once the business became multi-continental, I realised that wasn’t the environment that energised me and it was this self-awareness that led me to move on. It’s crucial to build a team around you that complements your strengths while staying open to feedback from trusted advisors or your board. As a founder, one of the hardest things is recognising when you might be the barrier to growth. It’s rare to wake up one day and think, ‘I’m the problem’. You have to deliberately structure your thinking, surround yourself with good counsel and be willing to act on what you hear. Liked Mark's blog? Read his next piece on the power of the right community to help founders thrive to discover more insights about Mark's approach to business .

6 Oct 2025 October - Monthly Update Saying Yes to Talent, Chairs and Sustainable Stories September was a month of movement across campuses, communities and conversations. Our Oyster cards and Lime bikes got a workout. From immersive college labs to mustard chairs and air ducts in listed buildings, we saw how small actions and shared values can unlock real momentum. And in Old Oak, the story is gaining speed. Building Talent Pipelines: College Visits We began the month at North Hertfordshire College, thanks to our partners at CK Group. From GMP-ready labs and VR sets to reconstructed hospital wards, the facilities were a powerful reminder of how education and industry can co-create the skills our economy needs. Later, we visited West London College’s Ealing campus, hosted by Daljit Singh Bains and Julie Claridge. Specialist labs and immersive rooms showcased the depth of local talent being developed. These visits are part of our commitment to connect enterprise with education, building future tenant pipelines at One Portal Way while giving students a glimpse of science in action right in their community. We feel very strongly about our duty and opportunity to make an impact on this. Gamification with Purpose: Imperial’s Digital Media Lab We also visited the Digital Media Lab at Imperial College London, where digital media, VR games and immersive STEM experiences are designed to inspire the next generation. What stood out most was the team’s grounded approach. Technology was treated as a tool, not a trend. Huge thanks to Daniel Mitelpunkt and Robyn Lowe for the tour. Plenty of inspiration as we shape our own digital space at One Portal Way, and hopefully we will work with this talented team in the near future. Circular Economy in Acton: A Chair Exchange At 8am, Panji Kaonga from Fabulr Studios collected surplus mustard chairs from One Portal Way, North Acton (AKA Old Oak). By 9am, they were already in use at Scale Space, part of the White City Innovation District. A small but powerful example of circular economy thinking and a reminder of how close we are to our friends at White City. These everyday exchanges build bridges between hubs, between people and across WestTech London’s growing innovation community. Sustainability in Labs: Learning with I2SL We joined the I2SL General Meeting and Summer Party, co-hosted by Pioneer Group and Oxford Properties, for a first look at the transformation of Victoria House in The Knowledge Quarter. The standout feature was air handling units suspended on bridges, with visible ducts threading through Grade II listed architecture. A striking blend of heritage and modern lab design. Sensibly Sustainable #1 : Reuse First Our reuse-first approach is gaining traction. From sinks to chairs to whiteboards, we are re-homing and reusing as much as we can. Given the success of our approach and the feedback we re getting, we’ve launched the first blog in our Sensibly Sustainable series 👉 Read #1: Reuse First here Let us know what you think and share ideas we could pilot next! LEAP Incubator Opens: Optimism in Action LEAP, the new incubator at ARC in Hammersmith powered by Imperial Incubator, is now open. It’s an ode to optimism with inviting design, a roof terrace and access to world-class facilities. A single bench at LEAP connects scientists to a mighty network, and with the LEAP Pass two lucky startups could get it for free, for a year! Apply now. In just a few months, we’ll open our own hub at One Portal Way, with Imperial Incubator , and we can’t wait to link tightly with this network of innovators. Onsite On Tuesdays.. Strategy moves into execution at One Portal Way. We’re building a space that works hard for our future tenants and we’re thrilled by the interest we are getting. Want a tour? We’re usually onsite on Tuesdays, and have plenty of hard tops to share! Just ask Charlie, Cat or Zara to show you around the building and the area.

29 Nov 2023 Sciopolis (sai-op-o-liss) - What's in the name? The making of science was rarefied and hardly ever linked to the hustle and bustle of urban dwellings. This view was profoundly changed by the Covid crisis, which almost overnight rebranded Science as an urgent, highly relevant activity which necessitated the convergence of many strands: central and local Government impetus, joined-up talent pools, entrepreneurship, easy access to technology and equipment, laboratory space, and access to capital. Crucially, all of these ingredients required an element of physical proximity and connectivity to jell together in a timely fashion and to generate momentum. Covid made science sexy (demand for STEM courses is higher than it’s ever been) and propelled it from the peripheries to the centre, more specifically to city centres, where virtuous connections are more easily created. While Covid has waned and we have generally returned to normality, it remains clear that doing science in cities is here to stay, because of a number of benefits that make it a compelling choice for researchers, entrepreneurs, and innovators alike. Hence the name we chose for our company, Sciopolis = Sci ence in the metr opolis. Our objective is to make “Science in the City” a success, by facilitating the construction and operationalisation of vibrant tech and science ecosystems. Easier recruitment: Access to top talent is the #1 problem for growing science companies. Aside from the simple fact that cities are exciting places which attract young people to live, work and play, they are also often home to world-class universities, hospitals and research institutions, as well as a diverse pool of skilled professionals with a wide range of expertise. Cities create an obvious centre of gravity where excellent talent can be more easily sourced. Easier collaboration: For the same reasons as above, it is also easier in cities to collaborate with top researchers, engineers, and other specialists, and to tap into a rich network of mentors, advisors, and investors. Cities offer more networking events, conferences, informal gatherings, etc. all of which bring together communities of like-minded people, providing more opportunities to connect and advance ideas. In particular this is most important for early-stage startups who face numerous challenges and uncertainties which - in the absence of a supportive and accessible community - they may struggle to solve by themselves. Easier access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources: Many cities have specialised research centres, state of the art hospitals, and other resources such as training and mentorship programs, that are specifically designed to support scientific research and development, and to accelerate the pace of innovation. The right equipment, at the right time, coupled with the right academic expertise can fast track scientific discovery. All of this is made easier when access between different institutions is facilitated by good transport infrastructure which is typically found in big cities, but also by the support of a landlord who makes the effort to create useful networks for their tenants to access directly. The logistics of access to institutions should not be underestimated. Easier to create stickiness: A vibrant environment with wrap-around support, excellent infrastructure and common amenities serviced by the public transport is critical to support scientific innovation. Nurseries are as vital as labs in the creation of stable scientific ecosystems, and choosing locations where – for example- young lab technicians (typically not the highest paid of professions) can live, work and play without driving long distances is key in creating a stable cluster, and increasing its long term stickiness where companies and people choose to ‘stick’ for the long term. Of course, doing science in metropolitan environments also comes with its own set of challenges and trade-offs. They can be expensive, competitive, and fast-paced places which can sometimes, and somewhat conversely, make it more difficult to attract and retain top talent, secure funding, and navigate complex regulatory environments. However, even taking these challenges into account, Sciopolis firmly believe that the opportunity and benefits of doing science in the city far outweigh the challenges. Ultimately we are absolutely convinced that creating flexible spaces to support the development of science activities in well connected metropolitan locations is a logical and strategic step which forms a key reason for our formation.

25 Mar 2025 UK Life Sciences miss out on £15bn to global rivals By Mark Sanders, Chairman of Sciopolis UK Life Sciences are missing out on billions to global rivals: isn’t it time to act before it’s too late? The SCI report yesterday highlighted a competitiveness gap costing us £15 billion annually. Despite being identified as a key sector for economic growth, the UK is falling behind international rivals. Key findings from the report were: - The UK has dropped from the second to eighth place in global life sciences FDI - Clinical trials initiated in the UK have decreased by 8% since 2017/18. - Employment in life sciences has remained flat in the UK while growing by 20% in Europe. - The UK’s share of global pharmaceutical exports has dropped from 5.4% in 2018 to 3.8% in 2023. These findings are not encouraging and even less so in the context of the ambition for the UK to be a Science Superpower. My perspective is that we need to not only focus on the desired outcomes, but also the process and infrastructure to get us there. One positive way to react to this crisis would be for the government to focus on physical infrastructure that can retain and support innovators in the UK. Innovation Hubs similar to what Imperial has built at White City Innovation District - well connected, with density of researchers and industry, supported by the local authority as well as by a top university- increase the chances for innovators to attract investment, develop their ideas and make it through their commercialisation journey We need to quickly refocus on the needs of innovators and build places for them to come together, and robust networks that help them to connect the dots. This, of course, is in addition to the other measures suggested by the report, i.e. tailored incentives, streamlined regulatory processes etc. We can celebrate the UK at the forefront of life sciences invention, but we need to better sustain innovation through the other tricky phases too- including scaling and manufacturing. The risk of not doing it may mean losing the battle to other ecosystems that can cater for the entire journey. Read the full article here