Welcome to Rosie Bennett as our new Innovation Lead for Bristol Innovations

Rosie Bennett, Innovation Lead at Bristol Innovations

We are delighted to announce that Rosie Bennett joins the Bristol Innovations team as Innovation Lead. Rosie Bennett’s brief is across Bristol Innovations’ portfolio of incubators, innovation hubs and networks; SETsquared Bristol, Engine Shed, the Quantum Technologies Innovation Centre, Quantum Frontier, and the University of Bristol’s joint venture with Science Creates.  As Innovation Lead, Rosie…

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FluoretiQ patent granted to enable fast and accurate antibiotic testing

FluoretiQ founders smiling with technology on PC

Bristol-based biotech company, FluoretiQ, who is developing fast and accurate point-of-care testing for Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), has taken a significant step forward after having a key patent granted. The University of Bristol spinout joined our incubation programme in 2021 with the vision of enabling more targeted antibiotic use and mitigating…

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GenomeKey awarded $11.4M to transform sepsis diagnosis and treatment

GenomeKey blood sample in lab

GenomeKey has been awarded a major grant from Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Biopharmaceutical Accelerator (CARB-X) to build a functioning, automated prototype of their desktop diagnostic device. The Bristol-based company joined our incubation programme in 2020 with a vision to build an in vitro diagnostic device that would completely transform the way we diagnose and treat sepsis…

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Climatetech innovators develop solution to combat wildfires

Optect's fire-extinguishing robo-dog zapping flames with sound waves

Wildfires pose significant threats worldwide, impacting ecosystems and communities and exacerbating climate change. The combination of climate change, dry conditions and human actions has led to more frequent and intense fire seasons, with 2024 seeing wildfires spread across Southern Europe, the US and South America. To address this challenge, our alumnus, fire detection company Optect,…

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SETsquared Bristol companies shine at The SPARKies 2024

John Terry of Neuronostics with award at The SPARKies awards 2024

The recent SPARKies Awards night, hosted at Central Warehouse in the heart of Bristol, brought together the region’s tech and digital leaders to celebrate excellence in the West. SETsquared member companies from across the South West were recognised for their achievements in various sectors, including biotech, createch, sustainability, and cyber. Out of 14 award categories,…

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iCOMAT raises $22.5m to automate advanced composite manufacturing for sustainable transport

A scientist in the lab wearing white coat with iCOMAT logo, and engineering device

iCOMAT, a SETsquared Bristol alumnus and University of Bristol spinout, has closed its Series A funding round, securing $22.5m (£17.6m) to deliver lighter transport solutions faster and at a lower cost. The demand for faster, cleaner and more sustainable transport solutions has never been greater. iCOMAT is one of the leading manufacturers of advanced composite structures…

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Sustainable student startup winners join SETsquared Bristol

SLANT and Weaving Change founders with New Enterprise Competition award trophies

We are pleased to welcome two sustainable student startups to our Quest incubation programme as winners of the New Enterprise Competition. The New Enterprise Competition is the University of Bristol’s longest running startup competition which awards £35,000 of funding to entrepreneurial students, staff and alumni each year. SLANT and Weaving Change will join our community…

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Wave Photonics secures £4.5m to deploy light-based chips for quantum technologies

Wave Photonics team, a diverse group of eleven people outside wearing Wave branded t-shirts

Our alumnus, Wave Photonics, has received £4.5m funding to develop a new range of on-chip photonics designs for quantum technologies, sensors and datacentre applications. Since 2021, the Cambridge-based startup has been working to reimagine the photonics product development cycle. Integrated photonics share the same scalable process as semiconductor electronic chips, however, the journey of taking…

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The least answered question when preparing for investment

Kevin Simmons, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bristol

Kevin Simmons, Entrepreneur in Residence at SETsquared Bristol, reflects on the best way to improve the odds of getting investment for your tech business. “No matter how ‘investor ready’ you may be, if the investor is not ‘ready’ for you, then your business will not secure the investment it desires.” “How do I make my business…

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