SETsquared is a business acceleration program formed in 2003 between 5 UK universities to help develop high-growth technology companies. It provides services like business planning, management training, and securing financing. Several companies it has helped have gone on to raise multiple rounds of funding and secure contracts with major corporations. SETsquared also runs programs to prepare companies for investor readiness and offers entrepreneurial internships between researchers and companies.

1. SETsquared
Business Acceleration
A Motor for Wealth Creation
David Bream & Alan Scrase
12th June 2012

2. Innovation system
Investment Fund Exits via
trade sale
£
Commercialisation
opportunities £ £ ££
SETsquared
Hi-tech start-ups from local economy
Business Acceleration
Open Innovation
hone business plans
involving
develop management teams
Spin-outs global corporates
secure finance
and blue-chips
University
Research Tech Scaling and
channels to market
transfer
Blues licensing and
Applied consultancy
skies
Open Innovation involving
local SMEs
Ageing & Lifelong Health
Global Uncertainties & security Two-way flow of
people and ideas
Living with Environmental Change
Digital Economy
Programme of Events, Seminars, and Training organised on themes consistent with those of the TSB, University Strategy
Research Groups (USRG), University Industry Sector Teams (UIST). Events named in a systematic way so it’s clear: which
theme they support, who the intended audience is, and what stage of technology / business is being targeted (idea, start-up,
growth, SME, corporate or all). Events aimed at technologists, entrepreneurs, investors, professional services, companies,
or combination.

3. Business Acceleration
Assist high-growth potential companies:
– business planning
• product/service definition and development
• competition, differentiation and value proposition
• market focus and routes to market
• identifying and securing necessary resources
– management team development
• identify skills
• identify people
• team function effectively
– funding
• roadmap
• securing appropriate finance

4. SETsquared – The Story So Far
• Government funded business acceleration programme formed 2003
– Currently 5 Universities (Southampton, Bristol, Bath, Exeter, Surrey)
– Annual investor event in Whitehall:
• 200 venture capitalists and other investors
• High profile keynote speakers include
– Lord Sainsbury, Jon Moulton
• Proven track record in successfully developing high
growth technology companies
The Bristol SETsquared Business Acceleration Centre, part of the Award ceremony at 11 Downing Street for BERR’s Enterprising
University of Bristol, was named ‘Established Business Incubator Britain competition - Southampton SETsquared key member of
of the Year 2008’ by the UKBI (UK Business Incubation) . Nov ‘08 Millbrook Technology Campus - South East regional winner. Oct ’08

5. SETsquared – Success Stories
• Ilika – materials discovery
– Established with small working capital in 2004
– Raised growth funding in 2006
– Raised funding in 2007, in 2010, and in 2012
– Diverse applications across multiple verticals
– Contracts with Shell, Johnson Matthey, AsahiKasei, Toyota, NXP
– Strong board: http://www.ilika.com/main.php?id=7
• Symetrica – nuclear security
– Joined in Oct 2003
– SETsquared mentor, Heddwyn Davies, becomes CEO, Mar 2004
– Funding rounds in Oct 2004, and in Sept 2005
– framework contact from Dept of Homeland Security,Nov 2006
• BAC2 – conductive polymers
– 1st funding round in May ’06
– fuel cell applications, plus many others
– Second round in Nov 07 biggest Angel investment from LBAN (cap
x4 in 18mths)
– Strong board: www.bac2.co.uk/about-us

6. Business Review Panels
• Another recent success for SETsquared in
Southampton
• PrimerDesign were the first company in the
world to develop a rapid detection test for
SwineFlu
• Featured on Sky News main evening
broadcast
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7UNEgmPmW0&feature=related

7. Investor Readiness Programme
• The 9th annual SETsquared • To attend you need to be prepared
Investment Showcase will be held on via a SETsquared Investor
Thursday 18th October 2012 at the Readiness training programme and
Institute of Civil Engineers, London have passed two selection days
• This event is strictly by invitation only • SETsquared at University of
to Venture Capitalists, High Net Worth Southampton is running next 2 day
Individuals or Self Certified Investor readiness training
Sophisticated Investors. programme 26/27th June 2012.
• The event will showcase around 20 • Based at Science park
technology spin-out companies and • 100% subsidised places still
entrepreneurial start-ups with potential available for June so speak to David
investments ranging from £150k to Bream of myself about your firm’s
£5m. suitability to attend

8. Entrepreneurial Internships
• Post Doc and Post Graduate Researcher
• 3-9 months secondment
• Between £200 and £350 company contribution
• Secured 2012 funding from Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council (EPRSC) for 100% of a secondee’s stipend
• Work on business related problem
• Currently enough funding for 7 secondments only
• Successful past programmes with:
– Nokia, Cascoda, Ilika, Apollo Fire Detectors, Symetrica and TiaCaan
• http://www.southampton.ac.uk/gradschools/graddev/internscheme.html

9. David Bream Alan Scrase
Centre Director Centre Manager
d.bream@soton.ac.uk a.scrase@soton.ac.uk
07545 423 694 07825 761 652