In 2024, we proudly marked a significant milestone – our 40th anniversary. As we reflect on the past, we celebrate the remarkable achievements that have defined our business. From pioneering business research to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs, to opening a range of state-of-the-art innovation hubs, and cultivating an ecosystem of support, the University of Warwick Science Park has been a pioneer in knowledge exchange, business innovation, and facilitating growth of tech-based businesses.
Click on the tabs below to explore our history.
1983 - 1993
1983
Construction of The Venture Centre is progressing rapidly, the foundations have been laid, and the structural framework is taking shape.
1984
A historic moment unfolds on 24th February 1984 as The Rt. Hon. Margaret Thatcher, officially opens The Venture Centre.
1985
Herald Court, the second building of the Science Park (formerly Advanced Technology Units), opens, marking a significant milestone in UWSP’s continuous development and dedication to innovation.
1986
Work to expand the Science Park continues as Vanguard Centre and Admiral House open.
1987
The Venture Centre undergoes expansion, just four years after opening its doors to tenants, as the demand for office space on the park experiences a notable surge.
1988
Further expansion unfolds on the UWSP site as Viscount Centre I is built, with Viscount Centre II in progress.
1989
Viscount Centre II opens its doors, marking a momentous milestone and significantly expands UWSP’s ownership and management portfolio to a total of 13 buildings.
1990
The Student Projects Scheme launches, placing undergraduates from any University with small to medium sized companies. Participating companies benefitted from being able to utilise, at low cost and low risk, the energies and skills of students for projects of 8 weeks.
1991
UWSP has it’s eyes fixed on Europe as a link forms with three other European science parks in France, Germany and Belgium through a contract from the European Commission – SPRINT. Under this contract, the four park management teams work together to foster relations between counterpart companies with the aim of stimulating the spread of technology throughout Europe and to identify new market opportunities.
1992
Sovereign Court I welcomes tenants as it opens its doors.
1993
Sovereign Court I and Sovereign Court II now stand side by side.
1994-2003
1994
Minerva Business Angel Network (Formerly LINC) launches. Minerva provides a forum of private investors looking to invest in emerging technology businesses.
UWSP celebrates its ten-year anniversary, commemorating a decade of impactful operation and contributions to innovation and collaboration.
1995
The sculpture “…In The Stillness”, crafted by Jean Parker, becomes a notable addition to the park’s artistic landscape.
1996
Techmark, a scheme designed to assist companies to market their products or technologies in the UK and overseas, launches at UWSP.
1997
UWSP opens the doors to it’s first Satellite Innovation Centre – Warwick Innovation Centre.
The UWSP business support team launch TeamStart, a hands-on programme helping ambitious, successful and experienced managers and directors to quit their employment and start their own companies that have high growth potential.
1998
The EMC facility offering state-of-the-art equipment opens, enabling companies to ensure their products are EMC compliant, the facility was used for pre-compliance, prototype and current production testing.
1999
The Clusters initiative begins with the aim of developing “clusters” of innovative companies, who work together with a common interest.
2000
Business Innovation Centre in Binley is unveiled and operational, welcoming its first tenants.
2001
Blythe Valley Innovation Centre in Solihull is unveiled and operational, welcoming its first tenants.
2002
Phase three of Warwick Innovation Centre completed, following the phase two extension which was opened in December 1998.
2003
The Investment Readiness programme begins to help companies develop from the early concept stage to the point where they were investment ready.
2004-2013
2004
UWSP celebrates 20 years of operation.
UWSP wins the UKBI Incubator of the Year award, it was chosen ahead of dozens of other similar parks and business incubators across the UK, because of the support it offers to young businesses to help them grow.
UWSP celebrates the opening of Riley Court, a new 40,000 sq ft building for growing technologies. Housemark and Network Appliances are amongst the first tenants to move in.
2005
Mustard FastStart launches for a cohort of 20 ambitious ex-MG Rover managers. During a short series of intensive workshops the venturers acquire and update their skills in key aspects of business, and undergo a process of confidence building and cultural change. By the end of the programme they receive practical help with marketing and benefit from the use of Science Park facilities and extended input from experienced Business Mentors.
2006
UWSP CEO David Rowe, wins Queens Award for Enterprise Promotion Lifetime Achievement as part of the Queen’s 80th birthday celebrations.
2007
Ignite, UWSP’s business incubation programme is up and running at The Venture Centre. The programme draws on all of the assets within the Science Park and our business development team.
2008
David Cole, tapped into the support services and connections to patent attorneys and technical experts at UWSP after being made redundant from Ford. He seized his opportunity to launch a full-time business on the back of his own innovations – Eco Valve Solutions, which offers proactive solutions to prevent chemical spills.
2009
UWSP marks its 25th anniversary, during this time it has helped over 1,000 companies – leading to many thousands of new jobs in the area.
2010
Science Park tenant Embed, which specialises in creating the “brains” embedded within the electronic devices found in ever increasing numbers within modern vehicles, expands into the USA.
UWSP becomes the first Midlands organisation to gain a national award for its ICT provisions.
2011
Founder Director of UWSP David Rowe retires and David Grindrod moves up from being Deputy Director, to Acting Director of the Science Park.
2012
Sprue Aegis once again is recognised as one of Britain’s 100 top performing private companies, earning a place for the fifth year running in this year’s Sunday Times Fast Track 100 league table.
2013
UWSP begins to manage Wellesbourne Enterprise Park on behalf of the University of Warwick.
2014-2024
2014
UWSP tenant, EnginSoft UK develops sensor-ble product. The company worked with Cranfield University on an initiative led by the Birmingham-based charity Housing & Care 21 to develop the Microsoft Kinect sensor for long-term preventative health and social care.
2015
Micropathology, a pioneering laboratory based at The Venture Centre that provides a rapid diagnostic service for serious infection celebrates two decades of being at the forefront of its scientific field.
2016
A new support programme designed to help companies achieve their growth potential, is now available to tech-based companies across Coventry and Warwickshire.
The Business Ready programme is delivered by the University of Warwick Science Park as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme and is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council.
2017
Tim Powell who ran Minerva Business Angels since 2009, giving companies in a variety of sectors the opportunity to bolster their chances of growth with angel investor backing, picks up a major award to mark the end of his career.
2018
The Moasure ONE, a revolutionary product, developed and created by 3D Technologies, a company based at Warwick Innovation Centre since 2014. Moasure ONE is described as the world’s first motion-measure, this groundbreaking device accurately measures volume, area, circumference, height, angle, level, and more through simple movements.
2019
Nigel Shanahan pays tribute to UWSP after helping him transform a start-up idea into a £50 million business. He enrolled on the Team Start programme for would-be entrepreneurs offered through UWSP before setting out on his own. He then took a unit Business Innovation Centre, before moving over to the Science Park at the main University of Warwick campus, where the business transformed into Rant & Rave.
The second phase of the Business Ready programme is launched after the first three-year phase was a major success, helping companies and the winder economy.
2020
Minerva Business Angels, joins forces with Activate, Liverpool John Moores University and world-leading science campus, Sci-Tech Daresbury, in a partnership aimed at increasing the number of investment funds available to businesses and to help with talent acquisition.
2021
Minerva Business Angels celebrates its 100th investment milestone with the backing of a pioneering drone logistics company, Skyfarer, which is conducting ground-breaking trials to deliver medical supplies between hospitals in the West Midlands.
Science Park tenant Embed receives prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade, presented by Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands John Crabtree OBE, Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in the region.
2022
Mark Tock is appointed Chief Operations Officer at UWSP as part of a strategy to drive innovation across the West Midlands.
Minerva Business Angels is ranked as the most active angel investor in the Midlands by deals completed, and the second most active in the UK between 2011 and 2021 according to business data firm Beauhurst.
2023
UWSP launches the Ignite Alumni Network programme, bringing together the firms it has helped over the years to share knowledge, issues and stories of their growth. The Ignite programme has helped more than 700 companies to establish themselves over the past 15 years, including offering everything from affordable office space to business support.
2024
UWSP marks its 40th anniversary in style. Around 80 invited guests enjoyed welcome drinks and food before speeches by the Science Park’s current Chief Operations Officer Mark Tock, and Saqib Bhatti MP, the Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy. A plaque was then unveiled by Saqib Bhatti and Stuart Croft, Vice Chancellor of the University of Warwick, to honour the occasion, followed by a ceremonial cutting of cake.
UWSP is identified as one of Europe’s leading start-up hubs in the inaugural edition of The Financial Times’ ‘Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs Special Report.’ It is the only Science Park in the UK to be included in the list, and reflects the superb environment and support services UWSP has created for young companies to set-up, grow and thrive.