Strategic Partnerships Double Opportunities for Southern Innovation

Southampton Science Park has joined forces with three of the South’s most exciting research organisations in a move that will boost opportunities for technology and innovation start-ups and extend the region’s powerhouse status in health and marine technologies.

Health Innovation Wessex, the National Oceanography Centre and the University of Southampton’s School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation have become partners to the Science Park’s Catalyst business accelerator programme.

Catalyst is a highly regarded, prestigious business support programme. It has benefited nearly 100 companies who have, between them, created around 260 jobs and raised investment of more than £66 million. The majority of participating companies continue to trade and remain located in Hampshire and surrounding areas.

Dr Robin Chave, Southampton Science Park CEO, said, “I am delighted that the Science Park will be working more closely with these three very successful and hugely inspiring institutions on our Catalyst business accelerator moving forward. These collaborations mean that we can work with twice the number of early stage businesses each year, and they will benefit from deeper learning experiences and faster problem solving through the cross fertilisation of the partners’ ideas and experiences.

“There is a rich seam of innovation flowing throughout the south central area, concepts that in many cases, aren’t developed to their fullest economic potential. With our new Catalyst partners, we hope to change that by giving more companies more opportunities to commercialise their ideas and research. Ultimately, this will grow our region’s reputation for innovation excellence and boost its economy by encouraging inward investment and retaining talented, visionary people here.”

Frank Ratcliff, Director of Industry and Innovation at Health Innovation Wessex, said, “Health Innovation Wessex supports the development and adoption of innovation in the health and social care sector to improve patient outcomes, drive value for the NHS and support economic growth in the health and life science sector. We have a long and fruitful relationship with Southampton Science Park and the University of Southampton, working together to support high-potential companies. Formalising our involvement with the Catalyst partnership is a logical extension of that, generating the ability to provide greater support for start-ups and furthering our ambitions to accelerate the adoption of viable solutions.”

The National Oceanography Centre’s Head of Commercial Development, Phil Bishop, commented, “The ocean is the single most important natural resource for life on earth and here at the National Oceanography Centre we have over 60 years of ocean research and technology experience. We are excited to be partnering with Southampton Science Park’s Catalyst programme, which will allow us to provide structured support for early-stage marine technology development. Through Catalyst, we hope to remove some of the barriers to market that many ocean technology innovators face and facilitate the transformation of foundation ideas into real-world solutions.”

Professor Cheryl Metcalf, Head of School of Healthcare Enterprise and Innovation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, added, “We understand that to build a community of engaged, enthusiastic and capable health technology entrepreneurs, we need to work at a regional level and with a range of partners. We know from our decades of work with spinouts, that taking the leap from academia into business is a major transition that brings with it significant challenges. Working alongside likeminded early-stage businesses and being located in a commercial setting like Southampton Science Park can make a significant contribution to making this adaptation a successful one, which is why we are absolutely delighted to partner with the Catalyst programme.”

Catalyst commences in March and September each year. 

Applications are now welcomed for the programme commencing March 2025 via this simple online form. 

Pitch selection days will be held during the first week of February 2025. 

Southampton Science Park is grateful to receive funding from the UK Government via Test Valley Borough Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.