University of Warwick Science Park Drives Creation of 150+ New Jobs

By Anushka Malhotra

1 minute 07 seconds

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Quick Read: The University of Warwick Science Park supported over 150 new jobs in 2023/24, with rising occupancy, increased funding, and support for nearly 900 businesses across its sites.

The University of Warwick Science Park has supported the creation of more than 150 new jobs in the past year, as detailed in its newly released 2023/24 Impact Report.

The report highlights continued growth across the Science Park’s four sites: the University campus, Warwick Innovation Centre, Binley’s Business Innovation Centre, and Blythe Valley Innovation Centre near Solihull. Occupancy rose by 8%, with a total of 152 businesses now operating from the Park—16 of which graduated from its Ignite incubator programme, offering start-ups affordable, flexible space and tailored business advice.

The Science Park also played a pivotal role in helping companies secure £11.2 million in equity, grants, and debt funding. In total, its business support services reached 890 businesses, contributing to the creation of 153 jobs.

Mark Tock, Chief Operations Officer at the University of Warwick Science Park said:

“It’s fantastic to see the continuing impact the Science Park is having on company growth and the wider economy. We’re proud to offer the space, talent, and financial support that help innovative companies thrive.”

The Science Park was also recognised in the Financial Times' rankings for a second consecutive year, reinforcing its position as a key driver of regional innovation and growth.

Professor Stuart Croft, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Warwick, added:

“The Science Park plays a vital role in nurturing innovative businesses and supporting economic development. These impressive results are worth celebrating.”

As the University prepares to mark its 60th anniversary in 2025, the Science Park is set to continue expanding its support for entrepreneurs and high-growth businesses in the Midlands and beyond.

What's new

DigiSpinWM Pilot Celebrates Milestone as 11 Investor-Ready Innovations Emerge in the West Midlands

The DigiSpinWM pilot programme, a bold initiative designed to accelerate the spin-out of digital and advanced manufacturing innovations in the West Midlands, has marked a key milestone with a showcase event in Birmingham, unveiling 11 investor-ready ventures developed over the past six months.

Transforming Ideas into Investment Opportunities

Backed by Research England and delivered through a partnership between the University of Wolverhampton, Coventry University, and Birmingham City University via the West Midlands Combined Universities, the programme set out to test a collaborative model for commercialising innovation more efficiently and effectively.

In just six months, DigiSpinWM has:

- Assessed over 40 high-potential technologies for commercial viability
- Delivered tailored support to participants on spin-out strategy and intellectual property development
- Nurtured 11 ventures to investment readiness
- Developed a shared framework for technology transfer across participating universities

The recent showcase celebrated these achievements, spotlighting innovations spanning early-stage development to near-market solutions with the potential for significant societal and economic impact.

A Regional Model for Innovation

Ceri Jones, Director of Research & Enterprise at the University of Wolverhampton, reflected on the programme’s success:

The DigiSpinWM pilot has been a transformative journey. Seeing 11 investor-ready ventures emerge from such a collaborative, regional approach shows what’s possible when we unify efforts across institutions. These spinouts will drive real-world change and position the West Midlands at the forefront of digital and advanced manufacturing.

The pilot’s success is also credited to a strong ecosystem of academic mentors, business advisors, and industry reviewers who provided essential support and guidance to participants.

The showcase event featured live pitches from select ventures to an audience of investors, stakeholders, and innovation leaders, marking a key step towards unlocking the funding required to bring these innovations to market.

With the DigiSpinWM model proving its value, the programme signals a new chapter for spin-out activity in the West Midlands—one built on collaboration, shared infrastructure, and investment-ready innovation.

By Anushka Malhotra

8 Jun