UKSPA - The United Kingdom Science Park Association
UKSPA represents, promotes and supports a diverse network of members that includes science parks, research campuses, city-based innovation districts, technology incubators and innovation centres across the UK (and beyond). These members operate in different areas, with different funding and investment profiles but together deliver enormous added value to companies that occupy space or participate in member activities.
Founded in 1984 by the managers of the eight Parks that then existed, UKSPA has grown alongside the UK’s science and innovation sector. In the last thirty five years the number of Science, Technology and Innovation parks in membership has grown significantly; from two in 1982, eight in 1984 to over 100 when UKSPA celebrated its 35th anniversary.
Today, UKSPA has in membership over 130 innovation locations and around forty business members working together and sharing good practice to sustain – and develop – this vital sector.
Recent years has seen continued growth of the sector with UK Universities and centres of excellence in research being joined by commercial and institutional investors who recognise the inherent economic, social and investment value of Science Park and other innovation locations and have created locations with management structures and business support, together with world class infrastructure, that continues to drive innovation and technology.