FAQs about UKSPA

Q: What is a Science Park? A: A Science Park is essentially a cluster of knowledge-based businesses, where support and advice are supplied to assist in the growth of the companies. In most instances, Science Parks are associated with a centre of technology such as a university or research institute. Q: How big does the cluster have to be before it can be called a Science Park? A: It doesn't really matter. It can be big or small, so long as it satisfies the essential criteria set out in the answer to the first question. Some parks start as big projects aimed at a whole region, others start as one small building on a more localised basis. And some of the largest and most successful of the UK Science Parks started on a very modest scale, sometimes with just one building. Q: What kind of support does a Science Park give to its tenants? A: This can vary from park to park, but a typical Science Park offers property, technology and business services. Some parks offer these 'in-house' whilst other park managers have developed a network of external regional experts whom they can rely upon to give good advice. Flexibility of lease terms and property can be very important for a growing company, and Science Parks usually have terms which meet their needs. Technology support usually involves the associated university or research organisation. Business services may include mundane – but still important – things like reception, telecommunications (including broadband connectivity), photocopying, cleaning, security, secretarial support and hire of conference rooms: all services that enable a company to move in and operate from day one. More advanced services include those that cover company development such as technology transfer, advice on intellectual property, access to loan and venture capital, student placements, marketing advice, etc. Q: There are so many names used to describe this sort of project. What is the difference between a Science Park, Research Park, Technology Park, Technology Incubator, Innovation Centre, Technopark, etc? A: This can be very confusing, so let us try to rationalise things. 'Science Park' is the generic term for all these initiatives, and some others too. So long as they meet the criteria set out in the answer to the first question, they can all happily fit under the term 'Science Park'. The other names are often used simply to distinguish them for marketing and promotion. However, this is not always so, and there are some distinctions to be made. A technology incubator will support new start-up companies through the first phase of their life only; a research park may well have only R&D allowed on it; a technology park may broaden its focus to include more high-tech manufacturing, a 'Mediparc' may describe a Science Park specialising in medical or healthcare-based companies, etc. Q: What is an incubator? A: Business incubators provide intensive, hands-on support and services to assist specifically in the creation and early-stage growth of businesses. The services include help with business planning, raising finance, marketing support and mentoring. A business incubator offers this type of support together with small units on flexible terms, and enterprises selected are those able to best benefit from support. They are normally encouraged to leave the incubator after about two years, when they have acquired a strong skills base and management experience. Many UK Science Parks have incubators, either separately managed, or managed as an integral part of the park. Q: What is an innovation centre? A: It is usually a synonym for an incubator, but sometimes it will denote a facility for nurturing high-tech companies from start-up to well beyond the incubation phase. An innovation centre may be home to small companies including businesses which have spun out of the associated University or research establishment. All of these still fit into the term 'Science Park'. Q: Which type of operation will not fit in to this broad definition, then? A: In some cases such initiatives will comply only partially with the criteria, because they may lack business support functions, or some tenant companies will not be involved in technology. The most common type of initiative which is excluded from the definition (and therefore from membership of UKSPA) are those which are purely property operations such as a business park (see below), which lack any real desire to provide business or technology support. Q: What is the difference between a Science Park and a business park? A: A Science Park should meet the criteria described above. A business park is merely a property development. Q: Where are the UK Science Parks and how many are there? A: Visit the Membership section of this site for full details. There are currently 64 Full Members of UKSPA and 10 Associate Members. Q: Are there Science Parks in other parts of the world? A: Yes. There is an active International Association of Science Parks with which UKSPA collaborates and enjoys good relations. You can find out about IASP at www.iasp.ws. Science Parks exist all over the world and UKSPA provides advice and support to many of these, both at the planning and operational stages. UKSPA also enjoys affiliations with several other Science Park communities outside the UK: these can be found in our Membership section. In addition, Science Parks and their managers have links, formal and informal, with parks in other parts of the world. Q: Who owns Science Parks? A: Ownership varies. Some are owned and managed entirely by a university; others, principally those established to assist in regional development, are owned by a local authority or a development agency; some are owned by commercial companies such as property developers; and a good proportion are owned by companies with various mixtures of public and private sector bodies, including universities, as shareholders or guarantors. For more information on the diverse nature and ownership of Science Parks check the Membership section of this site. Q: Are all UK Science Parks members of UKSPA? A: Almost all of them, and UKSPA is continually increasing its membership. For more information about becoming a member, email us at info@ukspa.org.uk. Q: Who can I speak to about setting up a Science Park? A: Many UKSPA members have wide and varied expertise in Science Park development and management, and the pre-eminent consultancy companies specialising in this field are also Business Affiliate Members of UKSPA. You may also wish to become an Associate Member of UKSPA, a category which is reserved for those with projects which have not yet become operational. This is an excellent time to tap into the unrivalled expertise of our Members! The Association can thus advise you on who to talk to about your idea. Contact UKSPA at info@ukspa.org.uk, or for background information visit the Publications section of this site. Q: How does the UK Government and EU support Science Parks? A: Science Parks are supported through a variety of local, national and EU programmes. It is difficult to generalise, since support available varies between regions of the UK. In addition to support to Science Parks themselves there are many programmes which support individual companies located on them. UKSPA maintains very close links with the relevant Government departments, including the the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Department for Education, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the British Council. It also liaises with Government agencies such as the Technology Strategy Board. Q: Are any research or statistics available about Science Parks? A: UKSPA is unique among all Science Park associations in collecting annual data from its member parks. It is also aware of the latest research on the topic and has a bibliography to assist you. The latest statistics can be obtained from info@ukspa.org.uk or by visiting the Publications section of this site. Q: What Categories of membership does UKSPA offer? A: Full Membership, for those Science Parks which are fully operational, having a site, buildings, tenants and a management function. Associate Membership for Science Parks in the planning and construction stage, where there are at present no tenant companies. (This can be a very valuable time to become a Member). Affiliate Membership is invited from organisations whose objectives and activities have common ground with those of the Association, where membership, often reciprocal, may be mutually beneficial. Business Affiliates are member organisations which have an interest in the Association or Science Parks in general, and co-operate with UKSPA in the pursuit of its objectives. They include major consultancy practices, property developers, technology advisers, accountancy firms, major banks and investment organisations. Q: How much does it cost to be a member? A: The annual membership fee is £970+VAT and there is a one-off joining fee of £100. Potential members should contact info@ukspa.org.uk.