SETsquared, the University of Bath-backed innovation partnership, has been named the best in Europe at helping new businesses for the third year running.
The recognition came in the University Business Incubator (UBI) Index, which ranks Europe’s best performing university business incubators.
SETsquared, a partnership of the universities of Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey, again topped the list, beating top-performing centres in Milan and Vienna. 
The announcement took place at Turin’s Incubatore di Imprese Innovative del Politecnico di Torino at the end of a two-day event where SETsquared innovation director Simon Bond, who is also director of Bath’s Innovation Centre, spoke to the continent’s top incubators on how university business incubators can accelerate growth.
Over the past 13 years SETsquared has helped more than 1,000 hi-tech start-ups to develop and raise more than £1bn of investment, as well as contributing more than £3.8bn in GVA (Gross Value Added) to the UK economy.
Simon Bond, pictured, said: “We’re absolutely over the moon to be recognised alongside other top performing incubators by the UBI Index once again. It’s a real testament to the hard work, innovation and skill of everyone at SETsquared and our commitment to helping entrepreneurs and start-ups.
“SETsquared has progressed hugely since last year’s ranking, including opening a new hi-tech hub in Basingstoke, running innovation programmes for the NHS and UK Space Agency and winning awards for the work we have been doing with our members, so it goes to show just how vital our services are in each area we operate in.”
SETsquared’s innovation centre at the University of Bath deputy head of enterprise Ali Hadavizadeh added: “The University of Bath Innovation Centre is one of the founding members of the SETsquared partnership, so we’re extremely proud of it being ranked as the best in Europe.
“The news is validation of the University of Bath’s research excellence and the high calibre of entrepreneurs there, coupled with SETsquared’s regional strength in attracting talented individuals who are engaged in the hi-tech sector.
“Through our engaging business support and incubation activities, we’re able to nurture these entrepreneurs and add value to their propositions by preparing them for the investor community and creating jobs and wealth at local, national and international levels.”
The UBI Index is the first global index to benchmark the performance and best practice of university business incubators. The organisation is holding continental rankings around the world, culminating in a global ranking event in London next month.
UBI Global co-founder and director of research Dhruv Bhatli said: “We’re delighted to see SETsquared hit the top spot in Europe for the third time in a row. The partnership’s continued dedication to entrepreneurs and start-ups has resulted in high economic impact and growth for the companies it supports.”
SETsquared will find out where it stands in the world rankings on November 25.
