The Instrument Link is a new service developed to provide early-stage science companies at the Bristol facility access to Bath’s suite of cutting-edge research instrumentation through a sample processing service.

Unit DX, which opens its doors this Friday during British Science Week, has been working with the University of Bath to ensure the project meets the needs of University spin-outs and start-ups, and will provide talks to PhD and PDRA scientists on entrepreneurship and research commercialisation.

Dr Anneke Lubben, Head of the Chemical Characterisation and Analysis Facility at the University of Bath, said: “I am excited to be working with Unit DX to provide access for start-ups to the world-class instrumentation within the facilities here at the University of Bath. We are very pleased to be supporting a project which will provide much-needed laboratory space and technical support to retain and attract scientific enterprise and investment to the area.”

The 15,000 sq ft facility will accommodate over 100 scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs. It offers flexible private laboratories and individual lab benches for industry and new start-up companies. The repurposed industrial unit in central Bristol takes inspiration from Silicon Valley by providing science and tech start-up companies with on-site access to instrumentation, technicians and a network of business and technical support.

Unit DX founder and CEO Dr Harry Destecroix said: “I am passionate about continuing to strengthen our links with the University of Bath and working with their students and start-ups of the future. The benefits of connecting Universities to incubation centres are well documented and I look forward to seeing the opportunities that will derive from this relationship.”