Technology innovation encompasses both software and hardware – but the latter is often overlooked.

When an EU-funded university consortium approached us, the UK had no accelerators for hardware-first start-ups. The consortium wanted to build 21st century enterprise communities, with

• meaningful capabilities and
• businesses at their heart

This meant hardware accelerator co-working spaces and fabrication labs, embedded in work-live communities. They had the blueprint, the site and investment. We worked with them to

• design the accelerator programme and cohort recruitment,
• develop the physical space
• mentor the participants

The accelerator is now on its fourth cohort, and the model is being replicated across the country. This holistic, modern take on regeneration is successfully creating enterprise communities. Allowing new businesses to flourish on their own doorstep.