SECTOR FOCUS: PROPERTY


Plymouth Science Park celebrates four decades


entrepreneurs, business leaders, scientists, researchers, academics and champions of innovation over four decades. And that growing innovation


P


pipeline is accelerating, with 23 companies joining the park in the past 12 months alone. Plymouth Science Park was


established as a joint venture between University of Plymouth and Plymouth City Council in 1996 to support the growth of the region’s economy. The fifth and most recent phase


of development at Plymouth Science Park was partly funded by £3m Growth Deal funding from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership. This flagship building, which


opened in 2017, is currently home to nine highly successful PSP businesses. The close connections with the founding partners remain and PSP located businesses continue to benefit from tailored support and access to a wealth of University of Plymouth facilities, research and technical expertise.


lymouth Science Park (PSP) has seen and supported numerous companies,


Sponge, Moortec, Acronyms,


Chess Dynamics, Argans, Re:Cognition and Ultra-Cardiac are just some of the growth brands at the park, developing cutting-edge products and services, making use of world-class research and business environments available at the park and across the city. And, in 2019 they were


joined by the likes of magicseaweed, Fairhurst, Sentinel Healthcare and Cunninghams on the 25-acre campus, part of a thriving knowledge-based ecosystem. Tenants on the campus represent a range of key sectors including advanced engineering, technology, digital economy, marine and health & wellbeing operating across Plymouth, the Heart of the South West and exporting their goods and services internationally. The influx of new arrivals takes


more set to be announced in the coming months. Ian McFadzen, the park’s CEO,


‘Plymouth Science Park companies are truly at the forefront of so many fields’


said: “Plymouth Science Park has been home to thousands of people who have brought science and technology innovation, economic growth and prosperity to the region for nearly quarter of a century, many of which have had truly positive and profound impact. “For us now it’s


all about looking ahead. Science and technology will never stand still which is why we’re incredibly excited by the


rapidly developing ecosystem we are proud to be part of. Technology is the


the total number of brands now operating from the park to 95, with


fastest growing sector in the UK. Science will deliver solutions to some of the world’s most urgent needs. From solving environmental challenges and applications for artificial intelligence, to health tech for ageing populations Plymouth Science Park companies are truly at the forefront of so many fields.”


Key highlights in the past 12


months have included the continued growth of Kovia & Argans and significant growth of Chess Dynamics, developing advanced engineering solutions for the defence sector, as well as software companies like RoweIT recruiting local graduate talent. Continuing its growth, digital learning company Sponge was acquired by Aliter Capital in November 2019 to form part of a larger group. Tech company Moortec


Semiconductor, which has its head office on the park, opened their third site, in Bristol and continues to go from strength to strength. And just under a fifth of all the


tech companies announced so far on this year’s South West Tech List by Reach are based on the park – magicseaweed, Sponge, The Key, Webbased, Pixalytics, BluescreenIT and Microtest. The UK’s top surf forecast


website and app were developed by magicseaweed, covering close to 6000 beaches in 199 countries. Pixalytics works with companies all over the globe requiring satellite and airborne data and The Key delivers digital tools and leadership management to nearly half the schools in England. Sponge’s Founder and Managing


Director Louise Pasterfield said: “Plymouth Science Park has supported our expansion over the past 16 years. In fact, business growth has meant we’ve moved seven times within the park. “We’re pleased to retain our Plymouth HQ as we continue to expand as part of a larger learning group. We’re proud of our South West heritage and focused on growing our Bristol base. And what could be better than working from an office surrounded by green fields and wild deer?” The winning teams from the


The team at Plymouth Science Park 32 Chamber Profile Summer 2020


latest ‘TechStars Start-up Weekends’ BigSis Project and previously, MemoryPad, are now


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