- The White City Deep Tech Campus: A Nexus for Innovation
- Bruntwood SciTech’s First Foray into London
- Sustainability at the Heart of Innovation
- Driving Economic Growth
- Expanding the White City Innovation District
- Proven Expertise in Innovation
- Strengthening West London’s Economic Landscape
- Bridging Discovery and Commercialization
- A Bold Vision for the Future
In a landmark collaboration, Imperial College London and Bruntwood SciTech have announced plans to establish a state-of-the-art life sciences and deep tech hub. This ambitious project, valued at over £200 million, will transform Imperial’s White City Deep Tech Campus into a global innovation hub. With this endeavor, the UK aims to enhance its leadership in science, technology, and innovation on the world stage.
The White City Deep Tech Campus: A Nexus for Innovation
This transformative development is a key part of Imperial College’s broader strategy to build a world-class deep tech ecosystem. The new hub, spanning an expansive 200,000 square feet, will host cutting-edge laboratories and collaborative workspaces. It is designed to serve as a meeting point for deep tech startups, scale-ups, and established global enterprises.
By co-locating these businesses with Imperial’s renowned academics, researchers, and clinicians, the hub will drive breakthroughs in critical areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), medtech, engineering biology, and climate science.
Professor Hugh Brady, President of Imperial College London, emphasized the importance of the project:
“This new facility will connect world-leading discovery research with incubators, accelerators, startups, and industry. It will accelerate the rapid translation of ideas into real-world impact.”
Bruntwood SciTech’s First Foray into London
For Bruntwood SciTech, this marks their entry into the London market, expanding their footprint beyond cities like Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Liverpool. A joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General, and the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, Bruntwood SciTech has an impressive track record in supporting life sciences and tech businesses across the UK.
Chris Oglesby, CEO of Bruntwood SciTech, expressed his enthusiasm:
“Partnering with Imperial to deliver the next phase of their world-leading science and technology campus is a tremendous accolade. This project will help propel the UK to the forefront of innovation and create a connected ecosystem between London and the UK’s fastest-growing regional cities.”
Sustainability at the Heart of Innovation
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the £200 million hub, aligning with the UK’s national goals for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. Key sustainability features include:
- Net-zero carbon construction and operations: All communal areas will operate entirely on renewable energy.
- Green design principles: The hub will prioritize energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials during construction.
This approach reflects Bruntwood SciTech’s broader commitment to sustainability, showcased by their 4.8 million square feet of eco-conscious properties across the UK.
Driving Economic Growth
The innovation hub is poised to be a major catalyst for economic growth, generating high-skilled jobs in life sciences, technology, and engineering. Although specific employment numbers remain undisclosed, the partnership aims to support 2,600 high-growth businesses by 2032 as part of a broader £5 billion UK innovation portfolio.
The initiative has garnered praise from Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who noted:
“This partnership demonstrates how combining world-class academic expertise with private-sector investment can create jobs, strengthen the economy, and bring advanced technologies from the lab to the market.”
Expanding the White City Innovation District
The White City Deep Tech Campus has already established itself as a vibrant hub for innovation. Its first phase, encompassing 1.5 million square feet, is home to over 5,000 staff, students, and businesses. Organizations based here are addressing critical global challenges in fields like climate science, chemistry, and medical technology.
The new £200 million expansion will add an additional 200,000 square feet of specialized space for deep tech innovation. Once completed, the campus will span 23 acres and offer 3.8 million square feet of mixed-use facilities, including academic, commercial, residential, and leisure spaces. This will create a thriving ecosystem for over 25,000 people to live, work, and collaborate.
Professor Brady described the broader vision:
“This investment is a crucial step in our vision for the Imperial WestTech Corridor. It will serve as a powerful engine for investment, inclusive economic growth, and job creation.”
Proven Expertise in Innovation
The partnership builds on Bruntwood SciTech’s history of successfully managing innovation hubs, such as Circle Square in Manchester and Innovation Birmingham Campus. Together, these facilities host over 1,100 companies, ranging from startups to global enterprises, and provide access to cutting-edge infrastructure and growth programs.
This expertise positions Bruntwood SciTech as an ideal partner to realize Imperial’s ambitious goals. The joint venture has also secured £500 million in investment, supported by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, to drive its expansion strategy.
Strengthening West London’s Economic Landscape
The hub is expected to bolster the White City Innovation District, which has already attracted £6 billion in investment since 2017. This district represents a key pillar of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham’s STEM strategy.
Cllr Stephen Cowan, leader of the borough, welcomed the project:
“This landmark investment from Bruntwood SciTech is a huge vote of confidence in our transformative STEM industrial strategy. It will create new STEM jobs for our residents and further solidify our status as a leading innovation hub.”
Bridging Discovery and Commercialization
A primary objective of the hub is to accelerate the transition from scientific discovery to commercialization. Key resources for startups and scale-ups include:
- Advanced labs and workspaces tailored to their needs.
- Growth programs and investment networks provided by Bruntwood SciTech.
- Opportunities to collaborate with Imperial’s researchers and clinicians.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle underscored the significance of these facilities:
“With the best resources and support, researchers here will unlock new job opportunities and strengthen our economy. This investment cements the UK’s reputation as a global leader in innovation.”
A Bold Vision for the Future
Construction of the hub is expected to begin in 2026, pending planning approval. Once operational, it will form part of Imperial’s £2 billion White City Campus investment, of which one-third has already been delivered.
This partnership signals a new era for the UK’s STEM and innovation sectors. By prioritizing collaboration, sustainability, and economic growth, the £200 million deep tech hub will redefine the possibilities for life sciences and technology in London and beyond.
