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- 1 Portal Way: Open for Business! | Sciopolis
3 July 2026 1 Portal Way: Open for Business! We are open for business! 1 Portal Way, North Acton, London 1 Portal Way- Sciopolis's new science and technology hub, developed in partnership with Imperial College London - has officially opened its doors. After an 11-month retrofit, this purpose-built 55,000 sq ft home for innovation is ready to welcome science and technology entrepreneurs in search of an inspiring, well-connected base. Our first tenants have already moved in. (Likely) the most cost-effective labs in London Inside is an Innovation Hub built to match ambition: 24 ready-to-occupy CL2 labs , 29 flexible offices, bright workspaces and flexible event areas, all designed for focus and breakthroughs, cost-effective and backed by Imperial. P.Happi and Ki Hydrogen have already moved into their labs, with Sandy, their trusted on-site Lab Manager from Imperial Incubator, facilitating the settling-in and getting the common equipment rooms in good shape. Built by/for this community This building was never just for us. It's for the scientists, founders and makers of North Acton, Park Royal and beyond, the wider community we're proud to now call neighbours. We can't wait to welcome people in to see the space, walk the labs and meet those already working here and welcoming new ones. So much of the community is built into the space: exterior and sculpture by David Samuel , shelves by Blast Studio and furniture (and pretty much all the molecules in the building) from the POW workshop in Park Royal. Do ask us about them if you want to be connected. Spend your summer here: there is no better place for it Hot desks, meeting rooms and event space are all bookable now, tenant or not, and with the next heatwave set to hit London in the coming days, we're eager to host anyone looking for a dynamic space, a sense of fun and proper aircon! That's alongside our food activation with our partner, Genuine Dining , who started last night with our first BBQ and will continue into next week with a whole week of food extravaganza. And they'll be with us for the long run, supplying our community with well-priced, nutritious and varied food choices. They'll be able to cater for all types of events, so put them to the test in the coming weeks. Want to spend the summer with us? Hot desks: available for a day, a week, or the whole summer Meeting rooms: fully fitted and ready for pitches, workshops or team days Event space: the space that hosted our own launch is ready for whatever comes next Garden: bookable for BBQs or for informal meetings Get in touch to discuss your needs Start here. Stay here. 1 Portal Way sits five minutes from Grapht Works , Imperial's advanced manufacturing site: R&D next to production, which doesn't really happen in Zone 2 London. Lab to pilot plant in five minutes.Visitors keep telling us the same thing, unprompted: this changes how fast a company here can actually get from idea to product. The other thing they keep telling us? "This was so much easier to get to than I thought," usually while standing in reception fifteen minutes early for their meeting. Central Line at our doorstep, Elizabeth Line 10 min walk away. This is just the beginning. The formal launch follows in September, but there's no need to wait until then. The building, and this community, are open now. Get in touch to book a tour, pop in for a coffee (from next week, our coffee machine is up and running properly) or come spend the day with a hot desk, a meeting room, or the event space. And just in time for launch: say hello to Anna Oktaba on Reception. She's Polish, fluent in Norwegian and always up for a chat in either language if you're in the building. The team can't wait to welcome you. Pop in, whenever. We're here. www.sciopolis.co.uk/oneportalway
- Insights (List) | Sciopolis
LATEST INSIGHTS Report Blog News 3 July 2026 News, One Portal Way, Sciopolis 1 Portal Way: Open for Business! On July 2, we celebrated the opening of the building with our community. Now we can't wait to welcome you to 1 Portal Way, North Acton. Closer than you think. Read More 16 June 2026 News, One Portal Way, Sciopolis Lab manager, fixer and chief confessor: my first month at 1 Portal Way One month in, our Lab Manager Sandy shares what it's been like learning the ropes and settling into the team(s). Read More 22 Apr 2026 One Portal Way, Sciopolis Lab to Manufacturing. Without the commute. At 1 Portal Way, you can be running R&D in ready to occupy labs, while your manufacturing sits literally 200m or a “five-minute walk” away. Read More 30 Mar 2026 News, One Portal Way, Sciopolis First Tenant announced: Ki-Hydrogen A UK cleantech startup with breakthrough green hydrogen technology is set to call our North Acton Innovation Hub home from June 2026. Read More 17 Feb 2026 News, One Portal Way Not all labs Are "Chemistry Labs": but what is a chemistry lab? (If you can tell us, we’ll try to build it) Read More 18 May 2026 News, One Portal Way, Sciopolis Great science needs great people: introducing Talentmark Growing Your Team at Sciopolis: we are building the talent ecosystem you need Read More 13 Mar 2026 One Portal Way, Sciopolis A Rare Sight in London: Real Vented Extract Capacity Why 1 Portal Way is one of the few places in London truly ready for Chemistry Innovation Read More 2 Feb 2026 One Portal Way, Sciopolis We are Hiring! General Manager As the first hire, this person becomes part of the story of One Portal Way: not just helping run the building, but helping define it. Do you know anyone who could fit the role? Read More 27 Jan 2026 One Portal Way Construction Update - Jan 26 Discover how we are getting ready to open our North Acton site in June 2026 (and join us on a #TuesdayTour to see it for yourself) Read More 20 Nov 2025 One Portal Way, Sciopolis Sciopolis wins New Business Launch of the Year We did it! We won the Estates Gazette "New Business Launch of the Year" 2025 Award Read More 16 Jan 2026 News, One Portal Way Why ready-to-occupy labs are a game-changer for innovators By Charlie Mitchell, CEO of Sciopolis 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 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 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 10 Sept 2025 News Summer Update 2025 Monthly Update: We're Back! New appointment, awards, and exciting developments — all in one place. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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, One Portal Way 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 12 May 2026 News, One Portal Way, Sciopolis New Tenant: P.Happi joins 1 Portal Way Pioneering UK women's health startup will scale up its manufacturing at our North Acton hub Read More 10 May 2026 sciopolis, News, One Portal Way Monthly Update: final sprint! Less than a month to go to the opening of 1 Portal Way and it's all happening: New Team, New look, New Cluster. Read More 22 Mar 2026 One Portal Way, Sciopolis 1 Portal Way: we are on track to open in June Major visible progress at 1 Portal Way, as we move confidently through the final stages of construction ahead of our June 2026 opening. Read More 29 Mar 2026 News, One Portal Way, Sciopolis March Update: our North Acton site is moving fast 9 weeks to go until the opening of 1 Portal Way, and everything is accelerating. Here's your quick tour of what's happened in the last month. Read More 12 Apr 2026 One Portal Way, Sciopolis North Acton… where? Closer than you think. That was our reaction too. Then we checked the map. Read More Sciopolis Five Things Every Life Sciences Founder Must Get Right - by David Montgomery From breakthrough science to scalable companies Read More 5 Feb 2026 One Portal Way 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 25 Feb 2026 News February Update: did you miss us? Here's what we have been up to since the start of the year: build, colour, vented extracts, coffee and tours.. Read More 5 Jan 2026 Sciopolis 2026 is here! 5 things we look forward to As we step into a new year, we can’t help but feel a sense of momentum: here are five things we’re most looking forward to in the year ahead. Read More 5 Nov 2025 One Portal Way, Sciopolis Monthly Update From North Acton to Cambridge to Manchester, find out what the team have been up to, and what is coming up next Read More 28 Nov 2025 London Spinouts: we are building space for you Spinouts were everywhere this November cropping up in reports, events and the press. And we are building space for them! Read More 20 Oct 2025 News University Spinouts ascend as scaleup capital deepens, but is the infrastructure ready? Insights from the recent Beauhurst and Parkwalk report on UK spinouts reveal a striking 44% year-on-year increase in equity investment, underscoring the growing momentum behind frontier innovation 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 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 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 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 2 June 2025 Sciopolis Our Monthly Update - May 2025 How we built our team, network and pipeline last month 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
- Sciopolis (sai-op-o-liss) - What's in the name? | Sciopolis
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.
- What can we learn from Dubai’s Innovation Hub? | Sciopolis
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
- Privacy Policy | Sciopolis
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
- University spinouts are struggling, and here's why. | Sciopolis
23 May 2025 University spinouts are struggling, and here's why. The UK government has been clear: Universities are crucial for scientific innovation. Academics are expected to commercialise their research through spinouts, turning ideas into companies that solve real-world problems. But while the expectation is high, the support is lacking. Spinouts need money to get off the ground. The Government’s £40m proof-of-concept fund was supposed to help, but demand has been overwhelming. According to an article this week by City AM, the first £9m round had 2,750 applicants—far more than the funding could handle. That means thousands of potential startups may never make it past the first hurdle. But even when spinouts do secure funding, there’s another issue: where do they go next? Kate Carlisle from Royal Society of Chemistry presented the spinouts ideal journey at London Lab Live Early-stage science companies need space, flexible labs and business support to grow into something real. They also need for these resources and facilities to be well integrated into their development journey, as “upping sticks” to find affordable lab space elsewhere, when it’s not provided close to their university ecosystem, can sever precious links and lose specialised expertise that has taken time and effort to build, When spinouts exceed incubators capacity and don't find suitable lab space in their ecosystem, they are forced to move elsewhere, which breaks their flow. That’s where Sciopolis' scaling hubs approach and campaigns like # MoreChemLabs spearheaded by the Royal Society of Chemistry come in. Having access to affordable, well-equipped labs and facilities near universities, with supportive ecosystems and room to grow can make the difference between success and failure for university spinouts. Kate Carlisle from the Royal Society of Chemistry made the argument well in her presentation at the London Lab Live event last week (see slide below) and we couldn’t agree more: think ecosystem, not just infrastructure. If the UK wants to stay ahead in scientific innovation and be a catalyst for companies that will change the world, it must do more than just encourage spinouts—it must support them properly, with funding, space, and partnerships. Spinouts need more affordable, ready-to-occupy, university-adjacent labs they can move into after leaving incubators. This allows them to stay rooted in the ecosystems that nurtured them, avoiding disruptive and costly relocations. Otherwise, we risk losing out on world-changing discoveries before they even get started. Click here for more blogs Follow us on LinkedIn
- Cleantech solutions for Real Estate? We want to hear from you | Sciopolis
16 Apr 2025 Cleantech solutions for Real Estate? We want to hear from you Cleantech solutions can reduce the carbon impact of our buildings and provide a better environment for our future tenants. Because we are genuine champions of innovation, sustainability and the circular economy, and we like to support early stage innovative companies, we have been talking to a number of such clever companies over the last 18 months, figuring out whether and how we could implement some of their ideas across our future sites (note: we are currently working on projects in Cambridge and London). This has culminated in us launching the Sciopolis Cleantech Commission, which brings together innovative companies in this space who are keen for their technologies to have the opportunity to feature in future buildings we develop. Here are a small selection of the companies we have been talking to. Over a year ago, we visited Blast Studio, based at The Republic of Park Royal (Old Oak) who transforms coffee cup waste into a durable, fire-resistant material. By repurposing 80% discarded coffee cups with 20% natural binder, they create a fully recyclable material which can be used to create versatile and durable panels - perfect for wall paneling, cladding, and furniture making- as well as original and sturdy furniture pieces, like their signature lampshade. More recently, we have been talking to BioTwin, who create high-performance, sustainable construction solutions. Their hemp-based BioStuds are a “steel stud alternatives” with a 28% lower carbon footprint than standard steel studs. By switching to BioStuds, developers can meet new carbon regulations, cut embodied emissions, and future-proof their buildings with next-gen sustainable materials. We’ve also been exploring sound insulating panels in carbon negative material with Carbon Cell. On a mission to replace plastic foam, this clever company has created a lightweight, strong, insulative foam made of biochar, that acts as a carbon sink, sequestering carbon for thousands of years, making it a carbon-negative solution. Claire Trant at Untap Health has developed an innovative technology that analyses wastewater to detect the presence of pathogens in real-time, allowing them to identify potential health threats (in an office, for instance) before symptoms appear in individuals. This allows building management to implement small actions to prevent transmission including increased ventilation, seating arrangements, surface cleaning, and handwashing campaigns. This is just a small subset of the companies we are in touch with, whose solutions we are considering implementing across our sites. The idea will be to develop pilot implementations in our building of some of these new technologies, which can then be used as showcases to a wider audience, as part of our tenant engagement programme. The Sciopolis Cleantech Commission or open for companies to nominate themselves and we are particularly interested in construction materials, energy solutions and circular economy products. if you have a product or solution that you would like to discuss with us please get in touch at info@sciopolis.co.uk
- A Rare Sight in London: Real Vented Extract Capacity | Sciopolis
13 Mar 2026 A Rare Sight in London: Real Vented Extract Capacity If you’ve walked past 1 Portal Way recently, you may have noticed something unusual on the roof: the 6 newly installed vented fume extract risers. It may not look glamorous, but in the world of chemistry‑led innovation, it is a major milestone for this site and something somewhat rare in London science space. It turns out that many of the so‑called lab‑enabled buildings being delivered across the city do not actually include any vented extract. While recirculating systems such as microbiological safety cabinets can, in some cases-and particularly in life sciences-reduce or even eliminate the need for vented extract, this approach often does not meet the requirements of organisations working across the broader spectrum of science, including chemistry, materials, batteries, and related disciplines, where true ducted extract is essential for safety, process integrity and regulatory compliance. Designed for Chemistry from Day One At 1 Portal Way, being a purpose-built space, we have intentionally taken a very different approach. From day one, we designed the building to support a broader range of science innovation, including chemistry. That means every lab has the capability to install at least one fully vented fume cupboard, or a range of equipment requiring ducted extract, from specialist enclosures to hydrogen storage solutions and other process specific setups that chemistry companies depend on. Occasionally there are workarounds to avoid installing vented extract, but anyone working seriously in chemistry knows they are rarely the right long-term answer. So instead of designing for minimum compliance, we have designed for the reality of how scaling chemistry companies operate. How many vented extracts is "enough"? Now, is one vented fume cupboard per lab enough? If you ask around, chemistry founders will almost always say they want more. However, we also find that there is often a practical and commercial reality for fast growing teams about the difference between what they would want in an ideal world and what they actually need and can afford on day one, which is often a lower requirement. At 1 Portal Way our facility enables you to rapidly develop your science in a ready-to-occupy space with one extract (at least), and then - only when the moment is right and you have proved your concept - you can either take more space with more extract or move into more bespoke space with all the vented extract you could want. For many, that staged path can be a far more sensible solution. We are building 1 Portal Way to support the companies who genuinely need ventilated infrastructure and who rarely find it available in London. With the extract stacks now standing proudly on the roof, the building is one step closer to delivering on that promise. Check out our available labs and office space
- Flexible Office and Coworking Space | Sciopolis Workspaces
Explore ready to work private offices, coworking desks, meeting and event spaces at Sciopolis. Designed for science and technology teams. INNOVATION READY Offices, Meeting and Event Spaces for Growing Teams We deliver cost-effective, community-led work spaces for science and technology innovators. Your team can plug in and start working immediately: no delays, no fit out, no hidden extras. Office & Event spaces available WHY CHOOSE SCIOPOLIS OFFICE SPACES? Immediate occupancy and simple onboarding Managed services under one transparent monthly fee Shared amenities, events spaces and networking opportunities Ability to scale into laboratory or larger office space within the same hub Private offices, hot desks and meeting rooms in one location Community of scientists, innovators and supportive networks OFFICES BUILT FOR PRODUCTIVITY Each of our locations typically offers private offices, coworking desks, meeting rooms and event areas, as well as onsite cafes- all designed to enhance productivity and collaboration. CORE FEATURES High speed fibre connectivity and secure Wi‑Fi Showers and bike storage Ergonomic desks and seating Utilities, cleaning and maintenance managed under one monthly fee Access to shared meeting rooms and event areas Community events and socials Great Tea & Coffee To find out more Read our FAQs LATEST PHOTOS 1/4 For individuals and early-stage ventures, Sciopolis coworking areas provide professional workspaces under flexible memberships which include fast internet, cleaning, tea points and access to shared services and community events. You can expand into a private office or laboratory within the same hub whenever your business is ready. COWORKING & HOTDESKING MEETING ROOMS Sciopolis locations offer bookable meeting rooms to support from quick catch ups to investor presentations. Flexible capacities for 3–20 people (depending on locations) Integrated Teams and video conferencing systems Presentation screens and whiteboards Catering available through onsite cafe Instant booking via the Sciopolis app Meeting rooms are open to all tenants and coworking members through a simple credit or hourly system. EVENT & TRAINING SPACES Science and technology thrive on connection. Each of our sites includes configurable event suites and training rooms that host workshops, seminars and product launches. Seating varies by location Full AV and webcast capability Moveable tables and seating for classroom, theatre or networking formats Onsite operations support and catering through the café team Our onsite teams connect tenants with peers, mentors, and professional partners, running events that link all members, across Sciopolis hubs. From weekly socials to technical briefings, you and your team join an active innovation community designed to help attract and retain staff — and make the office a great place to be. SUPPORTED BY OUR COMMUNITY VIRTUAL OFFICE Need a registered base without a physical desk? In the near future, our virtual office service will allow companies to list their business at a Sciopolis address. We will handle mail and reception services, giving you a professional presence inside a recognised innovation hub while you work remotely or on the move. NEXT STEPS Get in touch: we have availability for great offices and event spaces Explore our 1 Portal Way location: office, meeting rooms, coworking and event space Read our FAQs to see how Sciopolis manages the full workspace experience.
- Scaling Stories: how do you know when to step aside as a founder? | Sciopolis
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 .
- UK startups: brilliant at the baby stage, but what about adolescence? | Sciopolis
16 July 2025 UK startups: brilliant at the baby stage, but what about adolescence? Today’s Life Sciences Sector Plan from the UK government is a bold step toward scaling innovation and transforming the NHS. We’ve long been world-class at nurturing early-stage science: these “babies” emerge in great numbers from our top universities—clever, dynamic spinouts that institutions are producing in ever greater and more refined numbers. But the real challenge, every parent will know, comes with adolescence. Once the highly nurtured babies are out of the incubator, where everything was provided, the growing teenagers now need more independence. They want to close the door, stop sharing, protect and build their ideas. But they still need support—plenty of it. This is where the UK’s growth opportunity lies: helping these ventures mature into impactful companies. You don’t jump straight from primary school (university incubator) to university (lab-enabled FRI leases with long commitments in great but expensive buildings). At Sciopolis, we specialise in that critical adolescent phase of startup growth. Our spaces are designed not just for ideation, but for assisted acceleration , where startups evolve into sector-shaping companies. They’re open, ready-to-occupy, cost-effective and deeply connected to universities and collaborative institutions. Crucially, they come with links to business-building contacts that help science companies not just build their R&D, but—concurrently—learn to build a business. We want to build more of these spaces, and fast. To hit the leading life sciences economy in Europe by 2030 target set by this plan, we can’t rely on new builds alone. We need to refurbish and rapidly activate existing spaces. This is a race we could easily lose to lengthy planning and lofty ambitions. The spaces we need exist today—we just need to make them science-ready, fast. Two more things we’re excited about in the Government Plan: 🔍 The commitment to unlocking NHS data. With up to £600M invested in building a world-leading health data system, the potential for breakthroughs in diagnostics and treatment is immense. We’ve heard it time and again at conferences: the UK’s uniquely unified health system offers a data advantage few countries can match. Yet we’ve struggled to turn that potential into tangible progress. One thing that gives us hope is watching Imperial’s new Schools of Convergence Science bring together health, tech, and AI to drive this transformation. No better place for convergence. 🏭 The renewed focus on manufacturing. In today’s volatile geopolitical environment, no country can rely solely on traditional friendships. The global trend is clear: rebuild and reshore supply chains. The UK has a real opportunity to lead here—by enabling science-based companies to scale not just their ideas, but their production, close to home. The UK has the science. It has the talent. Now it needs the infrastructure and urgency to match. Let’s not just aim to be first in Europe by 2030, let’s build like we mean it. Find out more about how Sciopolis supports the Government’s Vision Read the Government Life Sciences Sector Plan 2025
- One Portal Way | The Building
Back to Sciopolis 1 PORTAL WAY THE BUILDING AVAILABILITY FAQS LOCATION COMMUNITY INCUBATOR INNOVATOR STORIES NEWS & INSIGHTS CONTACT A DISTINCTIVE BUILDING Inspiring, affordable, fully-fitted lab and office space available. A dynamic grow-on space for innovative science and technology companies, in a new cluster supported by Imperial Incubator. Flexible, fully serviced CL2 labs and offices , complete with shared equipment, enterprise support and direct links to the Imperial network. Just a 3-minute walk from North Acton (Central Line) and 10 minutes from Acton Main Line (Elizabeth Line), it will provide a vibrant ecosystem with events, socials and short-term licenses, all at highly competitive rents. Arrange a Visit Labs Reception Cafe Offices Event Space Exterior Garden CAFE A buzzy, open-access reception area featuring a café serving hot food and coffee, comfortable seating and direct access to the event space—plus an outdoor terrace to enjoy your meal in the fresh air. EVENT SPACE Whether it’s a team talk, workshop, or after-hours social, our event space will seat up to 70 people,with a packed calendar of programmes and events to keep your team inspired and connected. Host an event with us LABS Our newly refurbished building features 24 fully fitted laboratories and modern offices all ready for immediate occupancy. Various sizes, flexible CL2 labs, from 40-120m2 See available labs and offices Arrange a Visit OFFICES & MEETING ROOMS Ready to occupy offices, with shared Boardroom, Meeting Rooms, Hot Desk Area and Training Rooms, so you only pay for what you use. See available offices GARDEN Tenants will have plenty of outdoor space to enjoy—from the welcoming front terrace to our hidden garden out back. Expect summer socials, coffee breaks and spontaneous catch-ups to spill outside when the sun’s out. RECEPTION Our reception is a welcoming space, perfect for spontaneous chats and chance encounters while queuing for coffee. Seamlessly connected to the event space, it’ll be the ideal spot to pause, connect, and feel part of the community. ICONIC BUILDING Our newly refurbished building is a standout addition to the area. Just a 3-minute walk from North Acton station (Central Line) and 10 minutes from Acton Main Line (Elizabeth Line), it’s perfectly positioned for easy commuting. MORE THAN JUST SPACE With shared services, onsite support from Imperial Incubator and trusted SME suppliers, plus community initiatives designed to support and inspire, we’ll help you build your business, keep your team engaged and attract top talent. Ready to occupy Labs Flexible Terms Cost Effective Fantastic Transport Links Common Amenities Imperial Linked Member- supported Ecosystem Services See Available Lab and Office Space Discover Our Community Arrange a Visit Supported by Imperial and part of a dynamic life sciences and deep tech community. Imperial Incubator, the university’s home for lab-based startups, will have an integral involvement onsite. Bringing over 20 years’ experience in helping early-stage, lab-based startups to grow, the Incubator team will contribute comprehensive technical, business and relationship-building support. In addition to providing hands-on assistance via a Lab Manager, Imperial Incubator will serve as a gateway to Imperial’s extensive capabilities including advanced equipment, prototyping facilities and research centres, complemented by a deep pool of academic expertise, skilled graduates and valuable industry contacts. How does Imperial Incubator help our members? PART OF IMPERIAL'S INNOVATION CLUSTER A dynamic life sciences and deep tech community. Imperial College London is playing a pivotal role in the regeneration of Old Oak, helping shape the area into a new district for deep-tech innovation and enterprise. Imperial’s investment in Old Oak includes the advanced manufacturing site Grapht Works , which sits five minutes away from our site. The implications for innovators are profound and unique for a London Zone 2 location, allowing them to move seamlessly from R&D to pilot space, and iterate without the commute. That's why an increasing number of innovative companies are choosing this area for their manufacturing developments. Benefit of R&D Adjacent to Manufacturing Site WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR OFFERING? Download our brochure for more information Download 1 PORTAL WAY Cookie Policy | Privacy Polic y All rights reserved. ©Sciopolis@OnePortalWay 2026 | Website designed by Jamin Design Home The Building Location Community Latest Insights Contact Contact +44 7943 980146 info@sciopolis.co.uk Follow us on LinkedIn >