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

10 Sept 2025 Summer Update 2025 After a well-earned summer breather, the Sciopolis team returned recharged, and just in time. July and August brought a wave of good news that has set the tone for an ambitious autumn . Appointed at One Portal Way, Old Oak In July, we were appointed by Imperial College London to deliver a new scale-up space at One Portal Way, Old Oak . The site will offer flexible lab and office space for early-stage ventures, with a focus on affordability, speed to occupancy, and community. This marks a major step forward in our mission to support companies that have outgrown incubators but aren’t yet ready for full commercial leases. We’re proud to be working alongside Imperial to shape a new innovation cluster in West London, and we’ve already started receiving enquiries from ambitious tenants looking for an exciting new home. The Standard covered the announcement Shortlisted for Estates Gazette Awards 2025 We’re delighted to share that Sciopolis has been shortlisted for “New Business Launch of the Year” at the Estates Gazette Awards 2025 . The awards ceremony takes place in November, and we’re honoured to be recognised alongside other ambitious, sector-shaping organisations. Civic Campus, Hammersmith: Feasibility Study Completed It was a pleasure to immerse ourselves in the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and gain a deeper understanding of its bold vision for innovation . As part of our six-week feasibility study, we delivered recommendations for a new Innovation Hub at the Civic Campus, designed to support local entrepreneurs and connect deeply with other innovation hotspots in the Borough. The study allowed us to analyse market demand and opportunity and propose a use of space that aligns with the borough’s ambition to be “the best place to do business in Europe.” Feasibility Study: designing the Heart of Innovation in Hammersmith & Fulham Looking Ahead We continue to scope new sites across Cambridge, London and beyond. These hubs will feature our signature emphasis on community, shared amenities and curated programming to foster collaboration and accelerate growth. If you are a venture looking for space in London or Cambridge, it’s not too early to get in touch If you are a landlord, university or local authority interested in partnering to create or repurpose a building into an Innovation Hub , we’d love to hear from you early in the process. Read how we can help If you are a company offering services to science and technology innovators and want to join our Service Partners Network, find out more Want to receive this monthly update in your Inbox? Sign up to our Newsletter here

18 May 2026 Great science needs great people: introducing Talentmark Building a high-performing team is one of the most critical and challenging parts of scaling an early-stage science company. We know this not just from personal experience, but from the founders we've spoken to directly. In our recent research with London science and technology founders, one message came through clearly: the best innovation hubs don't just provide space. They actively support and help their tenants to succeed. "When we look for space, we’re less worried about the building, we’re more interested in how can you help us?" COO, Medtech company That question sits at the heart of what we're creating at Sciopolis, and one of the most important answers is this: we're building an ecosystem designed to help our tenants develop their technology and build their business. And one key aspect is to help them find, attract and grow the teams they need. A community of diverse companies needs diverse talent pathways Our tenants will come from many different scientific disciplines: life sciences, clinical research, cleantech, chemistry etc — at different stages of growth, with very different hiring needs. The founding team of a medtech startup has entirely different requirements to a chemistry company scaling its technical function, or a drug discovery business hiring its first commercial lead. Our research showed that early-stage founders in particular feel this acutely: they need access to talent, community and networks all at once, and the right connections matter enormously. And that's exactly what we're building, through multiple strands: Imperial College London & other universities: connecting our tenants with world-class graduate and postgraduate talent from the UK's leading research institutions Local Colleges, creating pathways for local talent into our community, supporting skills development and widening access to the life sciences and chemical sectors Local talent placement — investing in the communities around us and building sustainable pipelines that reflect the diversity of west London And now.. Talentmark , a specialist recruitment partner serving the life science, clinical and chemical sectors, bringing dedicated expertise in scientific, technical and commercial hiring Why specialist recruitment matters Our founders told us they don't want to feel like just another tenant. They want support that's genuinely invested in their outcomes: "As a founder, what I want first is really support. It's more knowing that you feel supported rather than you're going to have to pay a hefty fee for anything." — CEO, Cleantech company That's exactly the philosophy Talentmark brings. As a key strand in our talent ecosystem, they work consultatively, helping Sciopolis tenant companies define roles, shape hiring strategy and build teams for the long term. This isn't a transactional recruiter relationship. It's a genuine partner who understands the specific demands of life science, clinical and chemical hiring and who is focused on long-term outcomes, not just placements. As a Sciopolis member, with Talentmark you will have access to: Specialist recruitment across scientific, technical and commercial functions in life science, clinical and chemical sectors Flexible hiring solutions — permanent, interim or contract, aligned to your stage and needs A free initial consultation to assess your hiring needs and shape your talent strategy Salary benchmarking and real-time market insights to keep your hiring competitive An established network of high-quality, often passive, specialist talent Competitive rates , available following an initial discussion " We’re really excited about this partnership with Sciopolis and the opportunity to support companies from early concept through to scale. The stages may differ, but getting the right people in place at the right time is always critical. By embedding ourselves within this ecosystem, we can do more than just recruit – we can help define roles, provide real-time market insight, and connect founders to high-quality talent, including those who aren’t actively looking but are open to the right opportunity." Georgia Barnes, Client Development Manager, Talentmark Cat, Georgia and Charlie at Lab Live 2026 This is just the beginning Talent is consistently one of the biggest growth barriers for early-stage science companies and supporting our tenants means helping you build the teams that will drive your science forward. The Talentmark partnership is a strong next step in that mission and there is more to come as we continue to develop and expand these pathways. "I don't want it to be just a building." — Founder, Cleantech company Neither do we. Find out more about the ecosystem we are building at 1 Portal Way About Talentmark

8 Apr 2025 Can your building be turned into an Innovation Hub? Only a Feasibility Study can tell. In the last 18 months, we have conducted several feasibility studies for universities and landlords who wanted to ascertain whether an existing building could be converted into an Innovation Hub or to confirm if their plans to develop a new building make sense. Our team loves getting its teeth stuck into such projects, as they allow us to reach a definitive yes or no answer in a short period of time, while also absorbing everything there is to know about a new area or ecosystem. We are very passionate about creating innovation for the benefit of UK plc. Therefore, we understand the great responsibility of providing the right answers, ensuring our clients avoid spending time and money on projects that lack potential. So what do we look for in assessing these buildings (existing or new) ? We use what we call an “A-B-C methodology”, which consists in asking ourselves the following 3 questions: A for Attractive: will the space and the area be a ttractive to the target market? B for Building: can such a space be b uilt economically? C for Cluster: can the space become part of a c luster and an innovative community? Across everything we do, the building is only ever 50% of the answer. The other 50% is the potential for the building to be activated in a way that drives innovation. That’s why our feasibility studies focus on both aspects; Technical feasibility of constructing a suitable physical space, including consideration of design, MEPH adjustment, taking into account budget constraints and the overall business case. Ecosystem feasibility – identifying the right target tenants and creating a narrative around how this location will form a distinctive place for science and technology, how it links to universities and to other adjacent hubs, and what its specific purpose may be, based on its geographic characteristics or the pre-existing nature of a place. Once we believe that a location is potentially suitable both from a technical and ecosystem perspective and that it can be delivered, we develop a business case based on our experience of designing, developing and operating innovation spaces. This model will include sensitivity analysis of potential returns under stressed assumptions. In our experience, if a building is well connected transport wise, it’s close to a university, has a landlord with a strong idea they want to implement (i.e. there’s a strong potential thematic angle that the Innovation Hub will pursue) and has certain characteristics from a building standpoint which allow the creation of labs and amenities (ceiling height, reception space, floorplates that can allow convergence etc) then the answer tends to be that yes, it can be turned into an Innovation Hub. Are you thinking about developing an Innovation Hub and want some help? Get in touch

2 June 2025 Our Monthly Update - May 2025 In May we focused on building 3 things: team, network and pipeline. On the team front, we’re thrilled to welcome Zara Davidian as our new Operations Manager —a milestone moment for any startup. With years of experience at Imperial, she’s already bringing structure and clarity to the chaos ( including how to address the challenge of dealing with mountain of chairs and cables on her first day—thanks, Charlie ). She’s hit the ground running, and honestly, we’re not sure how we ever managed without her. Oh, and if you’re curious about those chairs… Read our recent post on "desolate chairs" here Building a “network of experts” that innovators can rely on Long before the first tenant moves into one of our sites, we’re actively building a trusted network of partners across key services: legal, marketing, finance, F&B, lab supplies, and more. Why? Because innovators should be focused on discovery—not Googling “IP lawyers.” We’re walking the walk, curating a network of vetted partners so our tenants don’t have to. This isn’t marketing spiel—it’s a foundational part of our vision. When a tenant chooses a Sciopolis site, the building is only 50% of what they get. The other 50% is a support system designed to accelerate their success. And we’re building that before the walls even go up. PS: If you would like to become part of our network of experts, have a look at our new brochure here Immersing ourselves in Cambridge We’ve been spending more and more time in Cambridge, mapping out the departments, institutions, networks, and equipment that could be game-changing for our future tenants. It’s become a bit of an obsession. Cambridge is accelerating like never before (if you need datapoints, look no further than the recent Dealroom report ), and every trip we make or person we speak to deepens our understanding of the drivers of this momentum. This month we focused on Cambridge West as we wrote about in this post —where we were warmly welcomed at the Maxwell Centre, got a close-up look at Henry Royce’s impressive facilities, and peeked inside IdeaSpace. A few days later, we also had the privilege of attending the Founders at University of Cambridge “2025 Investment Day”, a showcase of ingenuity and polished pitches that reminded us why this city breeds unicorns. (#Morechem) labs with windows, please One of our favourite connections this month happened at London Lab Live , where Charlie chaired a lively panel on lab supply vs demand . A standout moment came from Ella Churchill at MedCity, who summed it up perfectly: “We are witnessing the renaissance of labs as nice places to work.” Turns out, scientists really do love labs with windows. At the same event, we discovered the #MoreChemLabs campaign by the Royal Society of Chemistry—an initiative that sparked a great conversation with Kate Carlisle, captured in this blog post, on the urgent need for university-adjacent, cost-effective lab space to support spinouts Last but not least, Charlie travelled to a surprisingly sunny Leeds for UKREiiF, where he never saw the sun, so busy was he talking to various Universities, Local Government and landlords about building future Innovation Hubs, and building them fast. Feasibility Studies: From Beautiful Building to Innovation Hub? While we can’t share details just yet, we’re deep into a feasibility study in London, exploring whether a nearly completed development could become a true magnet for creativity, science, and innovation. The building is truly beautiful—but does it have the right ingredient to attract the right tenants and spark that elusive magic of innovation? That’s what we’re going to find out, working to a tight four-week deadline to deliver a clear verdict. We genuinely love feasibility studies. Done right, they can accelerate thinking, challenge assumptions and unlock new possibilities for our clients. Curious about what these studies involve ? Take a look at our blog post here. We hope to be able to talk about this one next month! Follow us on Linkedin for more updates

Move into ready labs and flexible work spaces. Join Sciopolis hubs for community, university links, expert support and supported venture growth. SPACE IS ONLY HALF THE STORY The ecosystem is the advantage Our inspiring labs and offices give you the space to thrive, while we connect you to the people and support that accelerate your journey. WHY CHOOSE SCIOPOLIS HUBS? We provide both the space & supportive networks innovators need to scale their businesses SPACE Ready to occupy labs and offices You and your team can move in straight away, no upfront capital expenditure, no months lost negotiating leases or managing contractors ECOSYSTEM University connectivity We have scoped out access to equipment, academics, institutions and projects that can make a material difference to your discovery Cost effective, flexible terms We understand the needs of early-stage ventures. Our leasing models are designed to give you room to grow without long term commitments holding you back Access to business expertise Tap into our “black book” of trusted service partners; from equipment specialists and branding experts to accountants, IP lawyers, legal advisors and mentors Operational support We take care of facilities and day‑to‑day operations so you can focus on your science and scaling your business Connections to accelerate growth We proactively link you with peers and networks who can help you solve problems, hire talent and open doors Community, events and great food We make coming to work more fun. Great food, lively events, socials and curated introductions spark collaboration and help you hire and retain great people Part of a wider network We are building Innovation Hubs in strategic locations. By joining one, you will gain visibility and connectivity across the network Discover Lab Space Discover Office Space WHY NOW? Demand for cost-effective, flexible spaces in ecosystem-connected locations is high amongst innovators. Accelerate your growth with labs and offices that are ready the moment you are Save time and capital by avoiding fit‑out costs, long leases and operational overhead Stay focused on your science while we take care of the day‑to‑day running of your space Tap into curated university, industry and business‑building networks that open doors Join a collaborative community of peers, strengthened by curated introductions, shared learning and regular events Read Our FAQs CONTACT US We’re developing spaces with a variety of layouts and features in key locations. Contact us early and we’ll make sure your requirements are built in from the start. Get In Touch Sign Up To Our Newsletter

Explore our services and get in touch Our Services 01. Custom Project This service is designed to bring your unique ideas to life. We collaborate closely with you to understand your specific requirements and deliver tailored solutions that meet your exact needs. From conception to completion, we ensure a seamless process for any project, big or small. Show more 02. Personal Solution Planning Tailored strategies for your individual goals. We delve into your specific challenges and aspirations to craft personalized plans for success. Our approach ensures that every step is aligned with your unique situation, providing clarity and direction for your journey. Show more 03. Expert Guidance Package Gain clarity and direction with our comprehensive expert guidance. This package offers dedicated support to help you navigate complex decisions and optimize your outcomes. We provide insights and actionable advice to empower you towards your objectives. Show more 04. Venture 05. Landlord

9 Sept 2025 Scaling Stories: prioritising location for a successful growth strategy Choose a location with room to grow Hiring great people is crucial, especially at the early stages. You need adaptable, high-energy people who thrive in ambiguity. Being in a location that attracts that kind of talent gives you an edge. Keeping those people is as much about location as it is about everything else. You have to ask yourself, is there room to expand here so we don’t have to risk losing good people if we are forced to relocate? Design spaces that spark creativity The physical experience matters too. If you’re asking people to come into an office, it needs to be more than a desk in a room. You need spaces that encourage conversation, spark ideas and make people feel proud to work there. Ensure you create a dynamic environment that encourages networking It’s not just about your square footage; it’s about your surroundings. Being near other entrepreneurs creates an environment of informal support. You can swap insights without judgement. Being in a great location that offers opportunities for collaboration, means you share that scaling journey with other people you can trust and whose ideas you can bounce off. That also goes some way to combating the loneliness that comes with being a founder. Be aware of how your surroundings impact morale and performance Surrounding yourself with the best people and giving them the autonomy to thrive is key. If your office environment is cramped, uninspiring or isolating, you’re giving people reasons to stay at home. If it’s energising, connected and well-designed, you make it a place people want to be. Is it a place you are inspired to work from? And does the space encourage collaboration and innovation? If the answer to those is yes, you’re setting yourself up for better growth and maybe avoiding the day when you have to replace yourself sooner than you’d like. Are you a founder or innovator building a science or technology venture? Ready to find the right space to support your growth? Sciopolis has the space for you. 👉 Explore our locations here .

5 Nov 2025 Monthly Update Capital alone doesn’t scale Innovation: infrastructure does October brought fresh insights into the UK’s innovation landscape, with the Beauhurst x Parkwalk Advisors Spinout Report 2025 highlighting strong investor confidence in university-led innovation. We are delighted, if somewhat unsurprised, to see the investment market improving. However, capital alone doesn’t scale innovation. Without the right infrastructure, spinouts risk burning through funding on workspace fit-outs in disconnected locations, slowing progress instead of accelerating it. At Sciopolis, we’re working to create that infrastructure every day. Here’s how we did it this month: We deepened Lab supplier relationships at the Lab Innovations event in Birmingham, seeking collaborators, not just vendors, who understand that value goes beyond equipment.. Read more here We explored the future of labs at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s #MoreChemLabs workshop , asking what minimum viable labs look like, and who’s ready to build them. We joined the Innovate Cambridge Summit , where the message was: ideas need capital, but ecosystems need infrastructure. Cambridge is the second most invested innovation hotspot in the world and we need to spread its power to other clusters – like Manchester for example, which we visited this week We stood on the balcony at Old Oak Common , witnessing the scale of HS2 and its potential to supercharge connectivity for our future tenants at #OnePortalWay . We believe you don’t have to build everything everywhere: it’s smarter to connect the dots. We shared our reuse-first approach in our Sensibly Sustainable blog , showing how hyperlocal circularity can be embedded into innovation spaces: simple in theory, harder in practice We celebrated community-led placemaking at North Acton Square where artists and makers are already thriving, and scientists will soon join them at #OnePortalWay . We advanced the AI conversation , from Italian Tech Week to the Ealing AI Conference, exploring what AI infrastructure our tenants will need, which sectors are emerging (is robotics about to have its “ChatGPT moment ” ?) and how we should respond - with excitement, caution.. or both? One Portal Way: as we progress our new innovation hub in North Acton , we’re spending equal time on construction (things going well. Opening in June 2026!) and on building the network and service infrastructure for our tenants that can make a material difference to their scaling. Fancy popping in? If you ever fancy a tour or a nose around, we’re onsite every Tuesday, just get in touch. We have had fantastic feedback to our tours: once you see the scale of what is being built in the area and the innovation potential, the penny really drops. We look forward to seeing you there!

12 May 2026 New Tenant: P.Happi joins 1 Portal Way Second Tenant announced: P.Happi® A pioneering UK women’s health startup is bringing microbiome-based manufacturing to our North Acton Innovation Hub from July 2026 — a different sector to our first tenant, but the same story of science moving from research into scale. We’re delighted to announce P.Happi ® a pioneering UK women’s health startup developing microbiome-based products, as the second company to take up space at our new Innovation Hub at 1 Portal Way, North Acton. P.Happi ® will establish laboratory facilities at 1 Portal Way to scale the production of its patented microbiome-based active ingredient, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (B.Y.M. ® 1405) a naturally occurring bacterium at the heart of the company’s consumer health range. The move marks a critical step in P.Happi ® ’s evolution from research-led startup into a manufacturer capable of supporting more women with its intimate health solutions, while remaining embedded in the Imperial College London ecosystem. “P.Happi ® ’s journey is a strong example of how science-led ideas can progress from early research into real-world impact. Chiara founded the company within the Imperial ecosystem, and it’s exciting to see P.Happi® now taking the important step into manufacturing at Sciopolis. This is exactly the kind of transition we aim to support — enabling talented founders to stay connected to Imperial while gaining the space and infrastructure needed to scale responsibly.” Graham Hewson, Head of Incubation & Prototyping Spaces, Imperial College London From lived experience to a manufacturing-ready company P.Happi ® was founded by Dr Chiara Board , a scientist-turned-entrepreneur with a PhD from Imperial College London. The company began from a lived problem rather than a piece of technology: a frustration with the lack of innovation in women’s intimate health, where recurrent issues such as UTIs are too often managed with short-term interventions rather than approaches that support long-term microbiome balance. Founded within the Imperial innovation ecosystem and supported by Imperial Incubator, Imperial Enterprise Lab and the WE Innovate programme, P.Happi ® has since raised backing from leading investors including Mithril Capital, Calm/Storm, Firstminute Capital, Active Partners and SOSV. Its products are now sold at Boots and Pharmacy2U. After amazing reviews, and the company selling out of product, the next chapter is scaling its manufacturing. From its lab at 1 Portal Way, a small team will produce the active ingredient powder that sits at the core of P.Happi ® ’s product range. Producing on site allows the company to scale responsibly, maintain quality, and reduce reliance on a single external manufacturing partner. “You can have great innovation, but if it stays on the bench it never reaches people who can benefit from it. Frustrated by my own health journey, our mission has always been to bring meaningful innovation into women’s health and empower women with solutions they can easily access and use to better support themselves. Manufacturing is the step that turns science into impact. Being able to manufacture at Sciopolis, in a space that fully understands how scientists operate and is backed by Imperial, gives us the confidence to scale production without unnecessary risk or disruption, and to support more women with their intimate health.” Dr Chiara Board — Founder, P.Happi ® Why manufacturing is the missing middle The UK has world-class science, but too often it gets stuck at the bench. Scale-up infrastructure and commercial translation are where things break down, and that’s exactly the gap we are aiming to close. For a company at the production stage, the requirements are practical: cost-effective lab space that fits the margins of a scaling business, shared equipment that reduces capital outlay and a stable home that won’t disappear in twelve months. With Imperial College London behind 1 Portal Way, Sciopolis offers the kind of long-term commitment that matters when you’re housing critical equipment and planning a production run rather than a pilot. As Chiara says: “I can’t afford to move equipment around - there’s always a risk something breaks. Knowing that Imperial is behind this gives me the confidence that the space won’t fold or vacate next year and we have a home to continuously produce and grow. Staying part of that great ecosystem matters.” Part of a growing cluster P.Happi ® ’s arrival places them inside Imperial’s emerging Old Oak Innovation Cluster , part of WestTech London. They join Ki Hydrogen- our first tenant, announced in March- as part of a community of up to 30 science and technology scale-ups that 1 Portal Way is designed to support. The cluster also includes Imperial’s nearby advanced manufacturing site, Grapht Works , a 9.6-acre industrial estate situated 5 minutes away from 1 Portal Way, that is being repurposed for prototyping and pilot-scale manufacturing. The proximity allows tenants to move easily between laboratory and office space at 1 Portal Way and larger production facilities a short walk away. Different sector, same challenge Where Ki Hydrogen is tackling clean energy and P.Happi ® is advancing women’s microbiome health, the underlying challenge they share is the same: getting from research into reliable, repeatable production without leaving London or the network they grew up in. That’s what 1 Portal Way is built for: 55,000 sq ft of fully fitted CL2 laboratories and flexible offices, with shared amenities, a café, and direct connections to Imperial Incubator’s support and network through an on-site Lab Manager. No upfront capital investment, and the stability of a hub developed in partnership with Imperial College London. “P.Happi’s arrival demonstrates the breadth of innovation Sciopolis is designed to support. While operating in a very different sector to our first tenant, the challenge is the same — supporting ambitious science-led businesses as they move from innovation into manufacturing. Sciopolis exists to enable that transition in a stable, cost-effective environment that allows companies to grow without leaving London.” Charlie Mitchell, CEO, Sciopolis More to come: want to join us? We’ll be announcing more tenants in the weeks ahead as we count down to our June opening. If your company is looking for space to grow, check out our available labs and office space in North Acton and please get in touch . To come and have a look, pls contact us to get onto one of our TuesdayTours ABOUT P.HAPPI®: P.Happi® | Microbiome protection for your intimate area

11 Mar 2025 Origin Public Consultation: see what is being proposed and have your say.

31 July 2025 One Portal Way, Old Oak - Sciopolis Appointment Imperial to launch new scale-up space for science and technology ventures in partnership with Sciopolis, delivering urgently needed affordable lab space for London Imperial College London is progressing the innovation-led regeneration of Old Oak with the launch of a new scale-up space for science and tech firms that delivers urgently needed affordable lab space for London One Portal Way, Old Oak is being delivered through a partnership of Imperial and Sciopolis, specialists in flexible, ready-to-occupy lab and office space. It has been designed to meet the needs of innovative scale-ups and will open its doors in mid-2026 The new facility is part of Imperial’s Old Oak Innovation Cluster , which brings together commercial spaces for innovation-led, high growth businesses and accommodation for more than 1,500 Imperial students and key workers Over the next decade, Imperial plans to transform its assets within the Old Oak area to create London’s new innovation and advanced manufacturing hub Imperial’s campus is part of the Old Oak and Park Royal Opportunity Area, London’s largest brownfield regeneration area, which is being delivered by OPDC, and at the heart of WestTech London, a globally significant innovation ecosystem that is igniting frontier innovation and cementing the UK’s position as a science superpower. Read the full coverage in The Standard Imperial College London is launching a new scale-up space for science and technology ventures, One Portal Way, Old Oak , helping to alleviate London’s shortage of affordable lab space and enabling rapidly growing businesses to remain in London as they scale. This new facility not only addresses the shortage of affordable specialist lab space in London, which threatens to hold back the growth of the UK’s science and tech sectors, particularly for startups looking to scale. It also creates a distinctive offer which enables direct connection and support from the world’s leading STEMB university, giving emerging businesses an unrivalled opportunity to grow at pace. One Portal Way, Old Oak will reinvent an existing building into 55,000 sq ft of fully fitted lab and office space, ready to occupy by a community of up to 30 scale-ups in mid-2026. The new facility is part of Imperial’s Old Oak Innovation Cluster, which brings together commercial spaces for innovation-led businesses and accommodation for more than 1,500 Imperial undergraduate students, staff and key workers. Imperial is partnering with Sciopolis – specialists in flexible, ready-to-occupy lab and office space – to develop and operate the space. Occupiers will benefit from the support of Imperial Incubator, the university’s home for early-stage lab-based companies, who will provide on-site assistance and facilitate connections to Imperial’s innovation ecosystem. Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial, said : “The UK, and London specifically, is exceptional at discovery science - but we risk becoming a place where great ideas are born, but cannot grow. One of the most urgent challenges is the lack of specialist, affordable lab and grow-on space. Our new innovation facility in Old Oak is a direct response to this challenge, a flexible, ready-to-use space that combines top-tier lab infrastructure with connection to a global university, creative industries, manufacturing capability and exceptional local, national and international transport connections.” Sciopolis CEO, Charlie Mitchell, said: “We know how challenging it is for startups and scaleups to secure suitable and affordable laboratory space. Speed is of the essence, as many ventures are being held back by the lack of grow-on infrastructure, which is why we are partnering with Imperial and other landlords to rapidly convert well-located, unused office and industrial space into innovation hubs with labs, amenities, and support. These spaces are designed to act as catalysts, attracting innovators and quickly building vibrant communities. One Portal Way, Old Oak is a prime example: a building bursting with potential to transform an area and launch a new chapter for Imperial in Old Oak.” Imperial’s One Portal Way, Old Oak will catalyse the transformation of Old Oak, within London’s largest regeneration zone, and play a role in supporting the major development pipeline for the local area which is being led by OPDC with the close involvement of other strategic partners including Ealing Council. In the future, the wider area will benefit from the Old Oak Common Station superhub, which is set to be the UK’s best-connected rail interchange with HS2, the Elizabeth line, Great Western Main Line and Heathrow Services. Imperial’s Old Oak Innovation Cluster is already well connected to central London and the UK via the Elizabeth line, central line and A40, and adjacent to Park Royal, the UK’s largest industrial area which is home to c.1,700 business and supports over 40,000 jobs. One Portal Way is less than 10 minutes from Imperial’s White City Deep Tech Campus. Located at the heart of WestTech London, the creation of One Portal Way, Old Oak ignites Imperial’s plans for the long-term transformation of its assets in the Old Oak area and supports its commitment to make West London the science and technology growth engine for the UK. WestTech London is an emerging innovation ecosystem that will become a globally recognised powerhouse for investment, economic growth and job creation, cementing the UK’s position as a leader in science and technology. WestTech London is bringing together industry, investors, universities, NHS trusts, local authorities, developers and government to fuel innovation and drive global impact. Ealing Council’s Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s lead member for decent living incomes, added : “Our borough is at the heart of WestTech London and our role as a national centre for science and technology is growing all the time. Our jobs and skills strategy – which is aligned with the National Industrial Strategy and London Growth Plan - highlights science and innovation as a priority growth sector for the borough, which can deliver thousands more well-paid jobs for residents over the coming years. The plans coming to fruition at One Portal Way will bring new businesses here that will help to grow our economy. We look forward to continuing to our joint working with Imperial and OPDC, establishing Old Oak as London’s new town for frontier innovation.” OPDC’s Chief Executive David Lunts says : “OPDC’s regeneration of Old Oak will create a revitalised urban district for West London, bringing major new investment into the local economy alongside thousands of new jobs, affordable homes and transformed public realm. Old Oak will deliver over 8,000 new and affordable homes, 6 acres of green open space and up to 2m sq ft of workspace." Imperial’s Old Oak Campus includes student accommodation and key worker homes, with 1,500 students and staff currently resident in the area, as well as the 9.6 acre Victoria Industrial Estate, which Imperial is repurposing to provide vital prototyping and advanced manufacturing follow-on space for scaling businesses. Imperial has ambitious plans for its assets in the Old Oak area which will support c. 4 million sq ft of additional development, including the long-term redevelopment of the broader 4.5 acre One Portal Way site. Imperial’s redevelopment of the One Portal Way site will deliver a new green heart for Old Oak, including a major new public garden, retail, amenities and services, alongside new homes across various tenures, including student accommodation, and 300,000 sq ft of flexible workspace. For more information about the scale-up space or to book a tour visit sciopolis.co.uk/oneportalway