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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.

+44 7943 980146 info@sciopolis.co.uk sciopolis GET IN TOUCH Are you a landlord, university or local authority looking to create Innovation Hubs in one of your buildings? Or a science and technology business looking for inspiring and ready to occupy lab and office space in London and Cambridge? CONTACT OUR TEAM Charlie Mitchell Founder & CEO Adam Kelliher Founder & NED Mark Sanders Founder & Chairman Caterina Rigoni Marketing & Ecosystem Lee Harle Founder & NED Zara Davidian Operations

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

Back to Sciopolis HOME THE BUILDING OLD OAK CONTACT GET IN TOUCH One Portal Way, Old Oak will be opening its doors in mid 2026. Please contact us if you are looking for lab and office space and want to know more or book an early tour. info@sciopolis.co.uk +44 7943 980146 sciopolis Sciopolis@OnePortalWay London, W3 6RS Nearest Tube Stations: North Acton (Central Line) Acton Main Line (Elizabeth Line) OUR TEAM Charlie Mitchell Founder & CEO Mark Sanders Founder & Chairman Caterina Rigoni Marketing & Ecosystem Zara Davidian Operations Cookie Policy | Privacy Policy All rights reserved. ©Sciopolis@OnePortalWay 2025 | Website designed by Jamin Design

Privacy Policy Effective Date: June 2025 Last Updated: June 2025 Welcome to Sciopolis. We value your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data. This privacy policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you interact with us—particularly when you subscribe to our newsletter via our website or forms. 1. Who We Are Sciopolis provides science and technology companies with ready-to-occupy lab and office space. We partner with landlords, universities and local government to deliver and operate thriving innovation Hubs for early-stage science and technology businesses. This privacy policy applies to www.sciopolis.co.uk and all digital interactions related to our newsletter. 2. What Information We Collect We may collect and process the following personal information: Name (optional) Email address (required for newsletter subscription) IP address and browser user agent (collected automatically when you visit our website) Subscription preferences Usage data (e.g., email opens, clicks—via third-party analytics) We do not collect or process special category data (e.g., health, race, religion) through the newsletter. 3. How We Collect Your Data We collect data through: Newsletter subscription forms Event or workshop sign-ups Cookies and tracking technologies (for website analytics and email engagement) Contact forms or other direct communication 4. How We Use Your Information We use your information to: Send newsletters, updates, event invitations, and other Sciopolis-related communications Improve our content, services, and outreach Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights We will not use your data for unrelated purposes or share it with third parties for marketing. 5. Legal Basis for Processing (GDPR) Under the UK GDPR, our lawful bases for processing your data are: Consent – for email communications, which you provide when subscribing Legitimate interests – for improving our website and communications Legal obligations – where applicable 6. Cookies and Tracking We use cookies and similar tracking technologies for: Site analytics (e.g., Google Analytics) Email performance (e.g., open/click tracking through Mailchimp/HubSpot) You can manage or disable cookies in your browser settings. For more information, see our [Cookie Policy] 7. Third-Party Services We use trusted third-party providers to process your data securely, such as: Mailchimp or HubSpot – for email campaign management Google Analytics – for website traffic analytics These providers are GDPR-compliant and act as data processors on our behalf. 8. How We Protect Your Data We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your data, including: Secure servers and encryption Access controls Regular audits and updates Despite our efforts, no method of transmission is 100% secure. We recommend using strong passwords and being cautious with your personal data online. 9. Data Retention We will retain your personal data for as long as you are subscribed to our newsletter. Upon unsubscribing, your data will be: Deleted from our email lists, or Retained only where legally required (e.g., audit purposes) 10. Your Rights (UK GDPR) You have the right to: Access the data we hold about you Correct inaccurate or outdated data Withdraw consent at any time (e.g., via the unsubscribe link) Request deletion of your data Object to or restrict processing Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at https://ico.org.uk To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@sciopolis.co.uk 11. Children’s Privacy Our newsletter and website are not directed to children under 13. If we become aware that we’ve collected data from a child without parental consent, we will delete it immediately. 12. Updates to This Policy We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with the "Last Updated" date above. 13. Contact Us If you have questions or concerns about your data or this policy, please contact us: Sciopolis info@sciopolis.co.uk

25 Apr 2025 What can we learn from Dubai’s Innovation Hub? We are curious about how other countries approach Innovation Hubs and are interested in learning what can be re-applied here in the UK. As part of our ongoing learning, we will share examples of Innovation Hubs from both the UK and around the world whenever we come across them. The Dubai Innovation Hub, for instance, is a masterclass in developing an ecosystem that integrates work and life seamlessly. Located in the DIFC, we visited it on an early morning this week (hence the lack of humans in the photos), and learned the following. Convenience is King: from pharmacies to hot yoga and dermatology, members have every amenity imaginable on their doorstep, making their place of work blend with lifestyle choices. This is the opposite to many other science parks and buildings, where there is often very little amenity, poor transport connectivity, and hence they can become empty straight after work, as people go elsewhere to find the things they need. It’s important to remember that innovators are “people” and that they sometimes need to buy paracetamol. Prioritisation of social spaces: fine dining from Sexy Fish, and many more, is very close to the work areas, allowing members to quickly and easily unwind with colleagues or entertain clients. Socialising is ingrained in the ‘work culture’ of Dubai, with the ecosystem catering to this need with a variety of dining spots – critically at differing price points. Again, this needs to be an initial consideration in the design of Innovation Hubs rather than an afterthought. The convenience of working from home means that workplaces need to work harder than ever at attracting people through the promise of high-quality face to face interactions, attractive workplace design and great amenity. Entrance experience is key: a standout welcome creates an atmosphere that inspires and sets the tone for what is to come. From architecture (not all Receptions were designed equal …. some are there to attract people in, others to keep people out), to the choice of materials, to art and sound (often underplayed), and even scent. Seeing real people working and having meetings, being able to peek through a glass at an event that is taking place, openness and transparency all contribute to creating a place you want to be in. This subconsciously increases lingering time, and in turn creates opportunities to bump into others. Sustainability that Performs: the building’s credentials are proudly marked throughout the building, including a 24% saving in energy consumption from usage of high efficiency equipment and building envelope performance. Thank you to the team at DFIC Innovation Hub for showing us around! Find out more about @DFIC: https://www.innovationhub.difc.ae Follow us on LinkedIn for more updates

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