What's the difference between a startup incubator and an accelerator?

An incubator gives you a place to work and support while you get going, usually on a rolling membership. An accelerator is a set programme with a start and an end, built to help you grow faster. Some programmes in Bristol do both.

Do Bristol startup incubators take equity?

Some do and some don’t. We show it in the Equity column where the programme publishes it. Science Creates, for example, says its incubators take no equity. Where it isn’t published, ask before you apply.

How much does a startup incubator in Bristol cost?

It depends on the programme. Some are fully funded by a university, others charge a monthly membership: SETsquared Bristol’s Quest starts at £125 a month plus VAT, and Science Creates quotes its rates on enquiry. Each row in the table shows the cost the way the programme quotes it.

Which Bristol startup programmes are for science and deep tech businesses?

Science Creates runs three incubators in Old Market and St Philips with labs and offices for science and engineering businesses, and the BRL Hardware Incubator at UWE Bristol supports start-ups building hardware. See the Science & deep tech section on this page.

Can I join a university startup incubator if I’m not a student?

Yes, for the ones listed here. SETsquared Bristol, Launch Space and the BRL Hardware Incubator are run by the University of Bristol or UWE Bristol, and each says it takes independent businesses too.

Bristol Startup Incubators and Accelerators

Compare them side by side.

Incubator: a base and support while you get going. Accelerator: a set programme to grow faster. The plain version ↓

Type

Stage

Sector: any

Sector

Stage: any · Sector: any

Stage

Sector

Jump toScience & deep tech Tech University-run

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Bristol startup incubators and accelerators compared
Programme	Type	Who it's for	Sector	Cost	Equity	Open now	Last checked
BRL Hardware IncubatorFrenchay (UWE)University Enterprise Zone, UWE Frenchay Campus, Filton Road, BS34 8RBTheir site ↗#brl-hardware-incubator	Incubator	Start-ups that make hardware — graduate, academic, corporate or independent	Hardware — robotics, health technology, biosciences	Subsidised rent for the first six months, then a rental escalatorFlexible terms, no formal programme	Not published	Not published	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2
Launch Space (UWE Bristol)Frenchay (UWE)Future Space, UWE Bristol (North Gate), Filton Road, BS34 8RBTheir site ↗#launch-space-uwe	Incubator & accelerator	Early-stage tech businesses — recent graduates, first-timers and experienced entrepreneurs. Must be a registered company or sole trader	Health & wellbeing, creative industries, digital futures, sustainability	Fully fundedUp to 12 months	Not published	Open · applications year-round	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4
NatWest Accelerator (Bristol Accelerator Hub)Temple Meads / Trinity QuayAvon Street, Trinity Quay, BS2 0PTTheir site ↗#natwest-accelerator	Accelerator	Any business with ambitions to grow	Any sector	No cost to join the communityCovers joining the community only. Join through the NatWest Accelerator app or web app. To use the Bristol hub's co-working space or events, email the hub (Bristolaccelerator@natwest.com); NatWest checks ID before issuing an access pass.	Not published	Open · join the community any time	Last checked 21 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2
Science CreatesOld Market & St PhilipsOld Market: Midland Road, BS2 0NSOMX: St Philips Road, BS2 0JZSt Philips: Albert Road, BS2 0XJSpace listing →Their site ↗#science-creates	Incubator	Deep tech startups, spinouts and scaleups that need labs and offices	Deep tech — biotech, advanced materials and engineering, quantum	Rates on enquiryMemberships and flexible leases	No equity taken	Lab and office openings at all three sites	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4
SETsquared BristolTemple QuarterSloane Robinson Building, Cattle Market Road, BS1 6AZTheir site ↗#setsquared-bristol	Incubator	Tech businesses, from an idea (Quest) to a UK-registered, high-growth startup (Propel)	Tech — quantum, AI, semiconductors, connectivity, health tech and more	Quest from £125 a month · Propel from £172.50 a month (excl. VAT and office space)Quest: 12 months · Propel: monthly membership	Not published	Open · apply online, no fixed intake	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2 · 3
Tech South West Growth ForgeSouth West-wide, Bristol entrepreneurs eligibleTheir site ↗#tech-south-west-growth-forge	Accelerator	Ambitious tech businesses in the South West of England focused on growth	Tech — Core, HealthTech and Marine Autonomy tracks	£50 + VAT per month, 3-month minimum commitment, then cancel anytimeEight monthly modules per stage, plus four in-person Growth Days a year	Not published	Open · join any time	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2
Bristol Spring · First Friday Not sure which one fits? Ask other Bristol entrepreneurs over coffee. First Friday · Friday 6 November, 8:30–11am · Whiteladies Road Just coffee, no sign-up. Come as you are and bring your questions. Come for coffee →
Bristol & Bath Science ParkEmersons GreenDirac Crescent, Emersons Green, BS16 7FRSpace listing →Their site ↗#bristol-bath-science-park	Workspace / innovation hub	Science and technology businesses — early stage in the Innovation Centre, growing in Grow On	Science and technology	From £325 + VAT per desk a month (Innovation Centre, 3–10 people) · virtual from £100 + VAT a monthTenancy	Not published	Not published	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2 · 3
Bristol Innovations ZoneTemple QuarterSloane Robinson Building, Cattle Market Road, BS1 6AZTheir site ↗#bristol-innovations-zone	Workspace / innovation hub	Start-ups to large enterprises working on deep tech	Quantum, AI, cyber security, connectivity, semiconductors, advanced materials, health tech	Not publishedMembership tiers, from network to office or lab	Not published	Open since 7 September 2026	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2
Engine ShedTemple MeadsStation Approach, Temple Meads, BS1 6QHClosing December 2026. The team moves on to run Bristol Innovations Zone.Space listing →Their site ↗#engine-shed	Workspace / innovation hub	Startups, industry, academics and community organisations in tech and innovation	Tech and innovation	CONNECT from £150 a month · GROW from £210 a month (VAT not stated)Monthly membership	Not published	Closing December 2026	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2
Future SpaceFrenchay (UWE)UWE North Gate, Filton Road, Stoke Gifford, BS34 8RBTheir site ↗#future-space	Workspace / innovation hub	High-tech businesses of all sizes, from MVP to scaling teams	Health tech, AI & digital tech, advanced engineering, green tech	Private offices from £450 a month · virtual office from £100 a month (VAT not stated)Office tenancy or virtual membership	Not published	Not published	Last checked 20 Oct 2026Sources: 1 · 2

On the map.

Same filters as the table. Tap a pin for the name and cost, click it to jump to the row. Programmes that share a building share a pin.

How we check: each row is checked against the programme's own site and shows the date; costs are quoted the way each programme quotes them. No programme pays to be listed. Bristol Spring is an independent community of Bristol entrepreneurs and doesn't run any of these programmes. Spot an error? Tell us. The University of the West of England's University Enterprise Zone at Frenchay is the umbrella for Future Space, Launch Space and the BRL Hardware Incubator, so it isn't a row of its own.

Incubator or accelerator? The plain version.

Incubator

You get: A place to work, people around you and support while you get going
For how long: Usually a rolling membership, or a set period like 12 months
You pay: Often a monthly membership; some are funded by a university
Best when: You need a base and a community more than a deadline

Accelerator

You get: A set programme of modules, mentoring and investor time
For how long: A fixed run, with a start and an end
You pay: Varies — a subscription, nothing, or sometimes equity
Best when: You're ready to grow fast and want structure

Some programmes call themselves both, and we tag them that way. The Equity column only says what a programme publishes; where it says “Not published”, ask before you apply. Innovation hubs (workspaces with a business community) are listed after the programmes.

Browse by kind.

Science & deep tech

Labs, benches and science parks for deep tech, biotech and hardware.

Science Creates
BRL Hardware Incubator
Bristol Innovations Zone
Bristol & Bath Science Park

Tech

Programmes and hubs for software, digital and hardware businesses.

SETsquared Bristol
Launch Space (UWE Bristol)
BRL Hardware Incubator
Tech South West Growth Forge
Future Space
Engine Shed

University-run

Run by the University of Bristol or UWE Bristol, and open beyond their students.

SETsquared Bristol
Launch Space (UWE Bristol)
BRL Hardware Incubator
Future Space
Bristol Innovations Zone
Engine Shed

Questions entrepreneurs ask

What's the difference between a startup incubator and an accelerator?: An incubator gives you a place to work and support while you get going, usually on a rolling membership. An accelerator is a set programme with a start and an end, built to help you grow faster. Some programmes in Bristol do both.
Do Bristol startup incubators take equity?: Some do and some don’t. We show it in the Equity column where the programme publishes it. Science Creates, for example, says its incubators take no equity. Where it isn’t published, ask before you apply.
How much does a startup incubator in Bristol cost?: It depends on the programme. Some are fully funded by a university, others charge a monthly membership: SETsquared Bristol’s Quest starts at £125 a month plus VAT, and Science Creates quotes its rates on enquiry. Each row in the table shows the cost the way the programme quotes it.
Which Bristol startup programmes are for science and deep tech businesses?: Science Creates runs three incubators in Old Market and St Philips with labs and offices for science and engineering businesses, and the BRL Hardware Incubator at UWE Bristol supports start-ups building hardware. See the Science & deep tech section on this page.
Can I join a university startup incubator if I’m not a student?: Yes, for the ones listed here. SETsquared Bristol, Launch Space and the BRL Hardware Incubator are run by the University of Bristol or UWE Bristol, and each says it takes independent businesses too.

Startup incubators and accelerators in Bristol (2026)

Compare them side by side.

On the map.

Incubator or accelerator? The plain version.

Incubator

Accelerator

Browse by kind.

Science & deep tech

Tech

University-run

Questions entrepreneurs ask