SETsquared partnership ranked as the world’s top business incubator

University of Bath backed - SETsquared Partnership has once again been ranked as the 'World's Top Business Incubator - Managed by a University' by UBI Global. This means that we've now maintained our world leading position since the last time the rankings were published in 2015. 

UBI Global's World Rankings are compiled from UBI’s World Benchmark Study 2017-2018, which is the world's most extensive benchmark study of university-linked business incubators and accelerators. SETsquared was assessed alongside 1,370 programmes globally, after which 259 from 53 countries were retained for the benchmark and this is a joint top ranking alongside The DMZ, Ryerson University, Toronto.

SETsquared, the enterprise partnership between the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, nurtures technology-based businesses throughout their lifecycle from idea through to investment and scale-up.

With bespoke entrepreneur training programmes and unrivalled access to a network of mentors, alumni, investors, corporate partners and the knowledge base of the 5 Universities, SETsquared has helped over 2,500 UK high-tech start-ups raise more than £1.5bn of investment and contributed over £3.8bn to the UK economy.

In 2017 alone, over 880 entrepreneurs participated in SETsquared programmes and it incubated 381 companies, which raised a record £218m investment – the highest ever annual investment raise from the SETsquared portfolio.

Ali Amin, CEO and co-founder at UBI Global, said:

“Congratulations to SETsquared for ranking as one of the world’s top university managed business incubators again. The partnership’s continued success is testament to the innovation and high level of business support it offers. This has resulted in high economic impact and growth for the companies it works with.”

Rosie Bennett, Centre Director at SETsquared in Bath, said:

“We’re delighted to be acknowledged once again as a leader in the world of business incubation, and it is an honour to be recognised by UBI Global in this way alongside the best performing university business incubators and accelerator programmes.

“This ranking reflects the commitment of the SETsquared team, a university environment here in Bath that embraces innovation and enterprise and, of course, the sheer talent and drive of the entrepreneurs and companies that we have the privilege to work with.”

One of the companies to have benefitted from the SETsquared partnership is Bath-based Zynstra, which provide cutting-edge IT solutions for use in the retail industry. 

Nick East, co-founder and CEO of Zynstra, said:

“The first tech start-up I was involved with was before SETsquared existed. Now running a company with the support of SETsquared I have experienced first-hand the huge difference they make. The flexibility and high service levels they provide means we are unencumbered by some of the day-to-day administration of running an office, so we can focus on pushing our business forward".

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Get in touch with the Bath SETsquared team if you are interested in finding out more about SETsquared business incubation or our mentor and investment networks.