Category: Innovation

Surrey Venture Studio launches to turn bright ideas into businesses

Published 8 December 2025

Advice and support, Business news, Innovation

Surrey Venture Studio logo

Surrey Venture Studio is now open, inviting Surrey innovators, academics, students and entrepreneurs to ignite their ideas to build a business. So if you have an idea ripe for commercialisation and are ready to start your business journey, seize this exciting opportunity today! 

Do you have a business idea you believe could be transformational and marketable, but you’re unsure how to take the first step or secure funding?

Perhaps you already have designs, prototypes or research that hasn’t yet reached its full revenue generating potential.

If so, then Surrey Venture Studio is here to help you bridge that gap and fulfil your ambitions.

Surrey Venture Studio – Apply Today! 

Applications are now open for Surrey Venture Studio.

This is an exciting new pre-accelerator programme to help innovators, academics and entrepreneurs across Surrey explore whether turning an idea into a business is the right path. 

This exciting programme includes: 

  • A two-day, in-person ideation workshop
  • Expert mentoring
  • Opportunity to progress to a six-month accelerator
  • Up to £25,000 catalyst grant funding, for successful six-month accelerator participant 

Spaces on the workshop are limited and will be offered to applicants whose ideas are at the right stage of development and show strong potential for innovation and commercialisation. 

At the end of the two-day workshop, participants will be invited to pitch their ideas ‘Dragon’s Den’-style. The successful applicants will secure a coveted place on the six-month accelerator programme and take a step closer to securing £25k in grant funding to launch their business!

Apply directly via the Surrey Venture Studio application form.

  • Want to know more? Join the Discover Surrey Venture Studio webinar on Thursday January 8 at 3pm. This will be your opportunity to hear from delivery partners about how the programme will work and what participants can expect. It’s also a great opportunity for you to get your questions answered. 

Key Dates

  • Applications open – December 8, 2025
  • Discover Surrey Venture Studio Webinar – January 8, 2026
  • Applications close – January 16, 2026
  • Ideation Workshops
    • University of Surrey Ideation Workshop – February 5 and 9, 2026
    • Royal Holloway, University of London Ideation Workshop – February 12 and 16, 2026
    • University for Creative Arts Ideation Workshop – February 19 and 23, 2026
    • Open Call Ideation Workshop at Surrey County Council – February 26 and March 2, 2026

FAQs

Got a question about Surrey Venture Studio? Find answers in our FAQs below.

Innovators, academics, students and entrepreneurs based in Surrey with ideas that have strong commercial potential. 

No. You can apply with an idea, prototype or early-stage research that could become a marketable product or service.

The workshops will be held at the campus of the host university and Surrey County Council’s HQ in Reigate. University for Creative Arts will host at their Epsom site. 

Participants will pitch their ideas to a panel. Successful applicants will join the six-month accelerator programme. 

No, there is not an option to attend online. If you have any accessibility issues that prevent you from attending in person, please contact the Surrey Venture Studio project team to ensure your needs are met. 

You must commit to the two-day workshop and, if successful, the full six-month accelerator programme at around 2 days per month. 

Spaces are limited and offered to those whose ideas show strong potential for innovation and commercialisation.  

No, you do not need one to apply. But you’ll be willing to open one before any grant funding can be paid. 

No, all applications received before the closing date will be judged equally.

The Fine Print

Surrey Venture Studio is funded by the UK Government and Surrey County Council via the Surrey Economic Growth Fund. It is delivered in partnership with the University of Surrey, University for the Creative Arts and Royal Holloway, University of London. 

  • Eligibility: Applicants live, work or study in Surrey and be eligible to work in they UK. Applicants should also comply with UK Subsidy Control
  • Commitment: Applicants agree to attend the two-day workshop and, if successful, commit to the six-month accelerator at approximately two days per month
  • Selection: Participation in the workshop does not guarantee progression to the accelerator
  • Funding: Grant funding is subject to acceptance onto the 6-month accelerator and must be paid into a business bank account
  • Data Sharing: Applicant data may be shared with programme partners for delivery and monitoring purposes
  • Intellectual Property: IP remains with the applicant; Surrey Venture Studio does not claim ownership 
  • Withdrawal: Surrey Venture Studio reserves the right to withdraw or amend the programme at any time

Not all applicants or workshop participants will progress. But those applying will need to commit to the full six month accelerator. This is irrespective of whether they are successful.

Apply directly via the Surrey Venture Studio application form.

A woman in a white lab coat and wearing blue gloves looks into a microscope. She is working in a laboratory.

UK Budget 2025 – what will it mean for your Surrey business?

Published 26 November 2025

Business news, Innovation, Skills and workforce

The UK Budget 2025 was announced today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. But what will it mean for your Surrey business? Here’s a snapshot of some of the key measures.

From changes to business rates to frozen tax thresholds, everyone will be impacted by the announcement in Parliament.

Key measures impacting small and medium businesses include increases to the minimum wage, changes to tax support for entrepreneurs and mandatory e-invoicing. Extra charges for electric vehicles and high value homes could also impact Surrey residents.

The measures means the UK’s tax take moves to an all-time high of 38% of national GDP.

The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts show UK growth averaging 1.5% a year. Inflation is set to ease from 3.5% in 2025 to 2% by 2027. And unemployment is staying near 5% until 2027 with real household incomes stagnating at around 0.25% annual growth.

Explore the full budget on the UK government website.

Business rates

From 1 April 2026, business rates bills in England will be updated to reflect changes in property values since the last revaluation in 2023.

Changes will include:

  • Small business multiplier decreasing from 49.9p in 2025-26 to 43.2p in 2026-27
  • Standard multiplier decreasing from 55.5p to 48p
  • New high-value business rates multiplier at 50.8p in 2026-27. For properties with rateable values of £500,000 and 2.8p above the national standard multiplier
  • New permanently lower retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers introduced to support high streets. These are 5p lower than the national multipliers.

A package worth £4.3 billion over the next three years will support businesses as they transition to their new bills.

Full details are on the government’s Budget 2025 tax support for businesses factsheet.

Enterprise

  • Pension contributions – From April 2029, the government will charge employee and employer National Insurance on any pension contributions made via salary sacrifice above £2,000 a year 
  • Capital gains tax relief halved for bosses selling their businesses to Employee Ownership Trusts from 100% to 50%
  • Charity Tax Relief – a new VAT relief introduced from 1 April 2026. Covers business donations of goods to charity.
  • UK Listing Relief – From 27 November, transfers of a company’s securities will not pay 0.5% Stamp Duty Reserve Tax charge for three years from when the company lists on a UK regulated market.
  • Call for Evidence into the tax support for entrepreneurs – Government seeks views on the effectiveness of the existing tax system for business founders and scaling firms. The aim is to discover how how the UK can better support these companies to start, scale and stay in the country. Closing on 28 February 2026.

Regulation and licensing

  • Extra support for the availability and adoption of business gigabit broadband
  • New Fair Work Agency to take action against illegal working, breaches of employment rights and tax issues
  • Mandating e-invoicing – from April 2029, all VAT invoices to be issued in a specified electronic format.
  • First National Licensing Policy Framework launched to support a modern licensing system. Includes guidance to relevant authorities to consider promoting economic growth in licensing decisions.
  • Funding for new planners and trading standards officers

Skills and workforce

  • National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increases from April 2026
    • National Living Wage will increase by 4.1% to £12.71 per hour
    • National Minimum Wage for 18-20 year olds will increase by 8.5% to £10.85 per hour
    • National Minimum Wage for 16-17 year olds and apprentices will rise by 6.0% to £8 per hour
    • Accommodation offset will increase by 4.1% to £11.10 per day
  • Youth guarantee – Growth and Skills Levy
    • £1.5 billion over the next four years for additional employment and skills support for young people
    • Focus on ensuring young people have access to high-quality training opportunities
    • include measures to simplify the apprenticeship system
  • Youth Guarantee – Jobs Guarantee scheme
    • Government to fund six-month paid work placement for every 18 to 21 year old on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months
    • 100% of employment costs for 25 hours a week at the relevant minimum wage funded, plus wraparound support
  • International student levy
    • Higher education providers to be charged £925 per student per year of study. Introduced from August 2028
    • Income will be reinvested into higher education and skills. This includes funding maintenance grants for disadvantaged students studying priority courses
  • Employer National Insurance contributions (NICs) relief for veterans – extension of employer NICs relief for employers hiring veterans in their first civilian role to April 2028

UK budget 2025 – other measures

  • Tax thresholds will stay frozen until 2031. That is three years longer than previously planned.
  • New mileage charge for electric and plug-in hybrid cars from April 2028. Electric car drivers will pay 3p per mile, while plug-in hybrid drivers will pay 1.5p per mile. Rates will go up each year in line with inflation.
  • 5p “temporary” cut in fuel duty on petrol and diesel will be extended from April. There will be staged increases from September 2026.
  • High Value Council Tax Surcharge for owners of homes worth £2 million or more in 2026. It’s due to come in from April 2028. A public consultation will be held in early 2026. 
  • British Business Bank’s new five year strategy to include increasing capital deployment from £1.5 billion to £2.5 billion a year
  • Expansion of InnovateUK’s BRIDGE AI programme
  • ISA reform – From 6 April 2027 the annual ISA cash limit will be set at £12,000. A further £8,000 can be invested in stocks.
Aerial shot of UK parliament buildings with the River Thames in London at the fore.

Net Zero toolkit now available for Surrey businesses

Published 20 November 2025

Advice and support, Business news, Innovation

A net zero toolkit for Surrey businesses is now live. The on-demand guide features expert support to help you create a carbon reduction plan for your business. Sign up today in just a few clicks.

There’s never been a better time to start your businesses journey to net zero. But where do you start?

The Business Surrey net zero toolkit will guide you step-by-step through creating and implementing a carbon reduction plan for your business.

Led by Shelley Lawson, founder of Frog Bikes, a series of videos and worksheets will help you apply the learning direct to your organisation.

By the end, you’ll have a bespoke plan which will not only reduce your carbon footprint but also your outgoings. Plus it could help you win more clients and bids.

Access the toolkit today by completing the form on our our net zero toolkit page.

About the Business Surrey net zero toolkit

The four self-learning modules include videos covering a range of topics to help you kickstart the decarbonisation of your business.

Each one also comes with a worksheet so you can apply the learning direct to your own business. These can be downloaded and saved to your device so they can be completed as you go.

By the end, you’ll have a bespoke carbon reduction plan providing a clear and achievable path to reduce costs and open your business up to new opportunities.

  • Video 1: Why is net zero important to my business?
  • Video 2: Carbon Calculator
  • Video 3: Turning your carbon footprint into a plan
  • Video 4: Creating a Carbon Reduction Policy
  • Video 5: Delivering impact

Other Business Surrey toolkits

The net zero toolkit is the latest self-learning resource made available by Business Surrey.

We’ve designed them for businesses of all sizes and sectors to access expert support at a time that suits them.

The videos are engaging while accompanying worksheets allow learning to be applied directly to individual companies.

Other toolkits include

The resources are paid for by UK government via Growth Hub funding to Surrey County Council.

Need more bespoke support? Get in touch via our Business Support Form and we’ll be happy to help!

Two women sat in chairs smile while the are being filmed in a multicamera production.

Misty Moon Cider: turning food waste into profit

Published 3 November 2025

Funding and grants, Innovation, Surrey Success Stories

Misty Moon Cider is a drinks producer in Farnham that turns surplus fruit into thirst-quenching products. Thanks to the Surrey Economic Growth Fund, the business is investing in new equipment. This will help is scale up, increasing production by six times.

There’s been a bumper crop of apples this season thanks to the hottest summer on record. So a business growth grant from Surrey County Council came at the perfect time for craft drinks producer Misty Moon Cider. 

Kathryn Lockett founded the drinks brand in 2021, making sustainable craft cider from surplus garden and orchard apples in Farnham. She wanted to reduce food waste and make use of the area’s abundant apple stocks by creating an artisan cider. 

Starting out producing 200 bottles in 2024, the investment will help the business scale up to produce up to 12,000 bottles in 2025. And there will be kegs for pubs and bars by 2026.

Kathryn, who is an international development consultant by day, has been able to invest in new pressing and brewing equipment for Misty Moon.

Before receiving the funding, Kathryn and a small team were pressing and bottling all the cider by hand using small-scale equipment. 

“Our new equipment means we don’t have to do everything by hand anymore. It means we’re going to have over 6,000 litres of Misty Moon Cider to sell next year,” Kathryn said. 

The funds have also gone towards hiring more student workers in the area. They have helped to pick and press the apples, in what has been a ‘monumental harvest’ this year. 

Misty Moon Cider: rooted in nature

Kathryn said: “This is something we started about four years ago, motivated by a love of locally produced craft cider.” 

She also wanted to do something to protect the area’s apple trees. Kathryn explained that Farnham has a long history of apple trees and orchards, but many of these have now disappeared. 

When people have too many apples from their trees that fall, rot and attract pests, these also risk being cut down.

Misty Moon Cider was the perfect solution, allowing people to donate their surplus apples, avoiding food waste and helping to protect the area’s precious trees. 

“This year there’s been a massive crop of apples,” Kathryn said.

As well as donations from people’s gardens, Misty Moon partners with community-based organisations too. 

“We get apple donations from the Countryside Regeneration Trust, National Trust Swan Barn and the Enton Community Orchard, where we also help them care for the orchard in partnership with the charity COPSE. 

“We’ve just collected 4,500 tonnes of apples in a week that would have just rotted. And we give the apple pomace to the Hairy Pig Company in Guildford, so nothing goes to waste.

“We’re very much about making delicious cider, supporting the community, protecting trees and preventing food waste.” 

Misty Moon Cider and local businesses

Misty Moon Cider was first sold at the Farnham Sustainable Festival in 2023. Now it’s stocked in Wine Rack, Hogs Back Brewery Shop, the Star Pub in Godalming and the London Cider House in Borough Market.

Misty Moon Cider is also served at the Michelin ‘Maison’ Restaurant in Farnham. 

Support from Surrey’s local independent businesses has been crucial to Misty Moon. And local events are a mainstay for the business, with stands at Farnham Food Festival and various events at Gostrey Meadows. 

The grant has made a huge difference to the business. Kathryn said: “It has given us the professional bottling stock of 2,600 bottles that we have been selling this year which has meant we can sell to more people in more places.  

“It’s paid for our student workforce which has enabled us to bring in this monumental harvest.  

“And crucially, we’ve been able to buy this amazing new equipment, meaning we do not have to hand process everything. It was getting unfeasible doing everything by hand. 

“It will give us the boost we need to produce enough stock to keep our product costs down, expand into new markets and get our brand known more.” 

Kathryn added: “Cider making is one of the oldest UK industries, it’s around 3,000 years old, and we have everything we need for it right here in Surrey – the apples, the tools, the knowledge. 

“However, it is really challenging for small businesses like ours to compete with much larger producers. As such we always encourage people to buy local, support local businesses and support local brewing, whilst enjoying a deliciously tasty Misty Moon Cider.” 

About the Surrey Economic Growth Fund

Do you have a business idea that can drive growth across Surrey?

The Surrey Economic Growth Fund from Surrey County Council has the sole focus of driving economic growth across the region.

Applications are now live for the Business Growth Grant scheme, closing at midnight on 16 November 2025.

It is open to all small and medium size businesses in Surrey.

The award is a match-funded grant of between £10,000 and £75,000, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.

Funding can support: 

  • Purchasing new equipment or technology
  • Developing new products or services
  • Expanding operations or facilities
  • Investing in staff training and upskilling 

We particularly welcome applications from rural businesses, farms, and those contributing to the rural economy.

Questions? Get in touch via our Contact Us form.

Two women smile while holding bottles of Misty Moon Cider, a drink made in Farnham, Surrey.

Surrey firm named among UK’s fastest-growing companies

Published 29 October 2025

Business news, Innovation

Guildford-based technology firm Crowd Connected has been recognised as one of the UK’s 50 fastest-growing private companies in the UK Fast Growth Index 2025. This prestigious ranking celebrates innovation and commercial success across the country.

Celebrating innovation in spatial intelligence

Crowd Connected specialises in real-time location systems (RTLS) and spatial intelligence. Its solutions make it possible to measure the use of physical spaces more easily. Sectors such as events, commercial real estate, healthcare and higher education make use of Crowd Connected’s software.

“Being named in the UK Fast Growth Index is testament to our commercial momentum and our mission to make physical spaces measurable, efficient, and intelligent,” said James Cobb, Founder and CEO of Crowd Connected. “Recognition like this reflects the UK’s strength in location intelligence and smart-building technology.”

From events to smart buildings

The company initially gained traction in the events industry, providing real-time visitor navigation and behavioural analytics at exhibitions and conferences. Since then it has expanded into smart buildings and healthcare. Its technology enables indoor navigation, asset tracking, and occupancy analytics, helping organisations optimise people and resource management.

A broad picture of UK growth

The UK Fast Growth Index, founded by Professor Dylan Jones-Evans OBE, showcases the most dynamic and high-performing private businesses across seven UK regions. Jones-Evans said: “The [2025] Index highlights how innovative companies like Crowd Connected make a measurable impact on both regional economies and national productivity. These high-growth firms are proof that advanced digital technology continues to drive the UK’s competitiveness.”

Explore the full list

Crowd Connected joins 49 other standout companies in the 2025 Fast Growth Index. Access the full list of the Top 50 fastest-growing companies via the official website: UK Fast Growth Index – Top 200

Support for Surrey businesses

We offer expert business support and additional on-demand resources for growing businesses.

Contact our team of experts to discuss how we can help your business thrive by completing our business support form.

You can also sign up to our newsletter for the latest news and events across Surrey.

Slitherine Software: doubling turnover in 12 months with Business Surrey’s support

Published 22 September 2025

Innovation, Surrey Success Stories

Slitherine Software is a fast-scaling gaming and defence tech company based in Epsom. With our help, it has implemented new recruitment and HR processes – helping the company to double forecasted turnover to £30 million and increasing headcount by 15% in just 12 months.

The Slitherine Software team approached Business Surrey in 2024. Directors were facing internal pressures over HR and recruitment processes – especially as it looked to rapidly scale.

As CEO Iain McNeil explains: “What worked when we were 20 people wasn’t going to work as we passed 100. We needed help simplifying and scaling our internal processes fast.”

They needed streamlined, practical documentation and better access to talent, without the overhead of complex systems – and that’s where Business Surrey stepped in.

Our Growth Hub team delivered hands-on tailored support that included:

  • Diagnosis to explore the key issues impacting growth
  • A complete review of their employee handbook and removal of unnecessary or duplicate policies
  • Advice on creating practical processes for staff management
  • Support with junior recruitment pipelines, including potential university channels

About Slitherine Software

Slitherine Software is a specialist video game developer and publisher focused exclusively on strategy and wargames.

With a catalogue of 450 titles – including major IPs like Terminator and Starship Troopers – the company sold more than two million games in 2024.

Headquartered in Epsom, Slitherine also has offices in Athens, Milan and Warsaw.

Its detailed wargames are also used by 150+ defence organisations in 25 countries for training and analysis, including under a renewed Enterprise licence with the Ministry of Defence.

Our Impact

Thanks to the Business Surrey team, Slitherine now has a lean, user-friendly HR framework aligned with how the business actually works.

This has made people management more efficient and scalable – crucial for a company that has grown to 110 employees and is managing multi-million-pound government and commercial contracts.

With better internal systems, Slitherine is not only managing today’s growth more effectively, but is also future-proofing for international expansion. In short, it now has operations fit for growth.

As CEO Iain McNeil says: “Working with Business Surrey has been a painless and productive experience. Their team are passionate about what they do and it’s all for free so you’d be mad not to make the most of it!

“Business Surrey provided straightforward, no-nonsense HR support that removed complexity and gave us clarity. We’d recommend Business Surrey to any growing business wanting to accelerate growth ”

Fully-funded support to grow your Surrey business

Looking for help to grow your Surrey business? Get in touch!

Business Surrey is a Surrey County Council service providing free, accessible support for all businesses. Our government-funded Growth Hub provides complimentary support tailored to your business.

Contact the team via our website to find out how we can support your company to start, grow and thrive.

You can also sign up to the Business Surrey newsletter for the latest updates and advice on growing your business.

A group of people pose for an image while standing outside. Two historic buildings stand behind them.
Six people with their backs to the camera are playing video games. Above them is a promotional image for StarShip Troopers, a game by Slitherine Software

Pitch Up! launches in Surrey to offer a leg up to sustainable rural businesses

Published 18 September 2025

Innovation

Pitch Up! is coming to Surrey as farming business Hampton Estate opens its gates to rural enterprises and start-ups. Sustainable businesses in Surrey can submit their ideas – and then find willing partners with the know-how and resources to help them grow.

Why grow a business alone when there’s land, resources and know-how to tap into? That’s the message from Hampton Estate which is welcoming sustainable businesses and start-ups looking for a leg-up to help them grow as part of Pitch Up! 2025.

Hampton Estate is a diversified rural business spanning 800 hectares in between Farnham and Guildford.

The team is looking for others who would like to build businesses in partnership with them. The aim is to grow their regenerative community and circular economy.

This year, Hampton is specifically looking for those wanting to expand or run:

  • Pastured poultry, woodland pigs and/ or sheep flock
  • Market and community gardens
  • Cut flower enterprise
  • Composting business
  • Nature groups

Other opportunities include eco-tourism, running clubs, pond dipping, catering and pop-up events and art-based businesses.

Entrepreneurs and businesses can submit their ideas via an expression of interest to Hampton. Then its ready for the Pitch Up! Applications Season (think Dragon’s Den) which returns this November.

Hampton’s Molly Biddell says: “For us, it’s all about creating holistic, regenerative and resilient systems that support amazing landscapes and wonderful communities. We think Pitch Up! is the key to helping us do this.”

What is Pitch Up?

Pitch Up! is about farmers working together, independently of government initiatives and funding bodies, to create a different model for local businesses.

The initiative connects regenerative farms such as Hampton Estate with sustainable businesses needing access to land and space. They then share resources, knowledge and land to feed one another and grow together.

Pitch Up! welcomes businesses at all stages. This includes supporting established enterprises with relocation, renovating space customised to their specific needs, or readying land for use.

For start-ups, it could be more about experimental space, trialling packaging and dispatch. Or support developing their pricing models, product offer or production processes.

In return, Pitch Up! farms gain partners, not tenants. Each agreement is different, shaped to be fair to both sides – whether that’s profit share, turnover rent, produce use, or longer-term regeneration goals. It’s about helping farms diversify in a future-focused way

Interested businesses can take the first step and fill out an expression of interest form on the Pitch Up website.

Support for rural businesses in Surrey

With 110,000 businesses, Surrey is a thriving and diverse economy which generates £50 billion a year to the UK economy.

Business Surrey is here to offer free, accessible to all businesses, including those in rural communities.

Get in touch with our team of experts today via our Business Support Form. We’ve got a range of fully-funded support available, including direct funding to help your rural business diversify.

Plus you can sign up to our regular newsletter, which is packed with updates and tips for your Surrey business.

A group of farmers stand in front of hay bales wearing Pitch Up t-shirts

Surrey Space Institute launches to boost growing sector

Published 15 August 2025

Innovation, Skills and workforce

The Surrey Space Institute is taking off at the University of Surrey in Guildford. Its mission? To train 10% of the UK’s future space workforce in a growing sector which contributes billions to the country’s economy every year.

With the UK’s £19 billion space economy surging, government and industry urgently need faster research, innovation and skilled talent. Yet more than half of space organisations report critical shortages.

This is the challenge now being tackled by the newly launched Surrey Space Institute at the University of Surrey.

The Institute will convert the University’s 45-year small satellite leadership into mission-ready solutions for climate, resilience and secure global connectivity. 

It will bring together the region’s wider reputation for innovation, bringing sector-strengths in cybersecurity, telecoms, legal and biosciences. The focus is helping the UK stay competitive in a global industry that is growing at pace. 

It aims to scale up small businesses. It will also train 10% of the UK’s future space workforce through postgraduate degrees, hands-on missions and professional courses.

About the Surrey Space Institute

The Institute will build on the legacy of the Surrey Space Centre, where Professor Sir Martin Sweeting pioneered the design and manufacturing of small satellites. 

Sir Martin founded the highly influential Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL). This university spin-out helped reshape how satellites are built across the global space sector. It has since earned £1 billion in satellite exports for the UK.   

The Surrey Space Institute has been developed under the leadership of renowned astrophysicist and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Bob Nichol.

It will build on the firm foundations that the university and wider region has in a range of sectors. This includes engineering, telecoms, cybersecurity, biosciences and law.

This interdisciplinary approach is at the heart of the new Institute’s mission – to rethink how space can support society, the economy and the planet.

It will focus on building new technologies. And on developing the policies, systems and skills needed to run full space missions that respond to real-world needs.

Professor Adam Amara will be the inaugural Director of the Surrey Space Institute while continuing in his role as Chief Scientist to the UK Space Agency.  

Benefits to Surrey and beyond

Space contributes £7.2 billion directly to the UK’s GDP. It supports more than 52,000 jobs, most of them highly skilled. And it continues to invest heavily in innovation, with £1 billion spent on research and development. 

A key focus for the Surrey Space Institute Institute will be to help the UK grow its ability to run full space missions – combining hardware, software, policy and operations to tackle problems such as water security, climate resilience and space sustainability.

The Institute will also support small space companies to scale up. It will also give more people the skills needed to work in this fast-moving sector, helping the UK stay competitive in a global industry that is growing at pace. 

Currently 52% of UK space organisations reporting critical skills shortages, especially in software, data analysis, artificial intelligence and systems engineering. So the Institute aims to train 10% of the UK’s future space workforce through postgraduate degrees, hands-on missions and professional courses.

The launch of the Institute is timely, aligning with the Government’s industrial strategy, which recognises the space sector’s role in economic growth and UK defence capabilities.

In 2021/22, the UK space sector generated £18.9 billion in income, up 8% on the previous year, outpacing both the global space sector and the wider UK economy.

Surrey Space Institute – reaction

Professor Adam Amara, Head of School of Mathematics and Physics, said:

“Space is no longer a frontier activity; it is already a critical national and international infrastructure underpinning everything from climate security to high-speed connectivity.

“By uniting Surrey’s 45-year leadership in small satellites with cutting-edge AI and cyber-resilience, the Surrey Space Institute will give the UK the decisive capability it needs to stay ahead in the global space race and to solve complex problems at home and around the world.”

Martin Sweeting, founder of SSTL, said:

“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute is an exciting new chapter that captures that same entrepreneurial spirit as when we started the Space Centre. But it also reflects a much bigger ambition – to shape how the UK delivers space-based solutions to the challenges we face here on Earth. That means training new kinds of experts, working across disciplines and building systems that are sustainable, inclusive and ready for global deployment.”

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:

“The launch of the Surrey Space Institute represents exactly the kind of bold, forward-thinking approach we need to maintain the UK’s position as a leader in space. Surrey’s remarkable 45-year track record in small satellites, combined with its vision to tackle real-world challenges from climate resilience to space sustainability, demonstrates how academic excellence can drive both economic growth and societal benefit.

“As we work to deliver the Government’s space ambitions, partnerships like this – bringing together world-class research, industry expertise and skills development – are essential to ensuring the UK space sector continues to thrive and deliver for our economy, our security and our planet.” 

Image of a satellite in space orbiting the earth

Start-up Surrey launches with expert support for entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses

Published 12 August 2025

Advice and support, Business news, Innovation

Budding entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses across Surrey are set to receive a major boost with the launch of the Start-Up Surrey programme. This is a dynamic new initiative funded by Surrey County Council’s Business Surrey service and delivered by leading business support provider The IncuHive Group.

This pilot programme will offer free, tailored guidance and practical support to residents who are preparing to launch their own ventures. It’s also available to businesses in their first year of operation.

It will guide founders step by step, with expert-led workshops, one-to-one mentoring, practical advice, and support from others on the same journey.

The programme will engage a diverse range of businesses across Surrey. It will cover key areas such as funding, marketing, finance, digital presence, and scaling strategies.

It’s the latest initiative from the Council under its Business Surrey offer, which provides free accessible support to help businesses of all sizes to start, grow and thrive.

Matt Furniss, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Economic Growth, welcomed the launch, adding:

“Surrey has a wealth of untapped entrepreneurial talent, and this programme provides a much-needed platform to turn ideas into action. It aligns strongly with wider efforts to boost inclusive economic growth, support innovation, and build resilience into our local economy – all of which provides benefits to our people and communities.”

George Scott-Welsh, CEO of The IncuHive Group, said:

“IncuHive is delighted to bring this initiative to life. We’ve seen first-hand how the right support, delivered at the right time, can completely change the trajectory of a business.

“We’re not just helping people start businesses. We’re helping them build viable, resilient ventures that can generate a real income and contribute to the local economy. We are thrilled to be working with Surrey County Council to bring hands-on support and real opportunities to Surrey’s start-ups.”

Start-Up Surrey – sign up today

The Start-Up Surrey Programme is available to all start-ups and businesses in their first year of trading across Surrey.

There’s no cost to taking part. That’s because it’s fully funded by the Council via UK government funding.

Interested in finding out more? Register for the introductory webinar on Wednesday August 27 from 11am to 12pm. Register via the Eventbrite event link.

Similar events will follow monthly throughout the autumn. Dates are available on the Business Surrey Events page.

For more information or to register for the programme, visit the IncuHive website.

Or you can contact the Business Surrey team via our business support form.

A man in a business setting presents to a room. He is wearing a smart black top and has the words IncuHive written on a screen behind

Surrey Research Park: 40 years of innovation

Published 27 June 2025

Business news, Innovation

Surrey Research Park celebrates 40 years of innovation in 2025. And 600 people including businesses, staff and students came together to celebrate the achievements.

Surrey Research Park is a vibrant innovative business community of more than 200 companies across a 70 acre site.

It was established in 1985 by the University of Surrey. And businesses on the park are estimated to contribute £660 million a year to the Surrey economy.

Surrey Research Park 40 years celebration saw a community festival taking place earlier this month (June 17, 2025).

Surrey Research Park 40 years celebration

About 600 people – including Guildford MP Zöe Franklin – gathered to mark 40 years of innovation in Surrey.

Employees from 60 companies and partner organisations took part in a dynamic expo, showcasing their sector-leading innovation, research, and company stories.

Several guest speakers also shared fond memories of their time at the park, including:

  • Dr Malcolm Parry OBE, one of the Park’s visionary founders
  • Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, founder of Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL)
  • Peter Molyneux, founder of 22 Cans and early pioneer of the Guildford games industry
  • Mark Bennett, Technology Director, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
  • Juliet Jones, Chief Scientific Officer at NatureMetrics, runner-up in the 2024 Earthshot Prize

The event also saw the launch of the Park’s new self-guided, AI-enabled and interactive Augmented Reality tour.

The celebrations also provided students from the University’s Department for Hospitality and Events to gain hands-on experience in event management.

Meanwhile, over in the Surrey Technology Centre, the Space Enterprise Lab was temporarily converted into a high-tech TV studio, livestreaming a two-hour innovation and technology show to viewers around the world.

Caroline Fleming, Director of Surrey Innovation District and Innovation Lead for Surrey Research Park, said:

“I think everyone really felt the vibe of a strong community that’s been built here. We heard from companies proud to call it their home, and from researchers excited to do more with those businesses. For me, it’s been a fantastic event.”

About Surrey Research Park

Surrey Research Park offers versatile office space in a vibrant innovative community. It helps meet the needs of pioneering tech and research-led companies – from solopreneurs and entrepreneurs, ambitious startups and microbusinesses to SMEs, large companies, multinationals and primes.

By joining the Surrey Research Park community, your business can benefit from:

  • Access to top-tier talent, expert collaborations, and world-class facilities that span disciplines and sectors.
  • Spaces for every business need, from workstations in our incubator and small offices to expansive units up to 40,000 sq ft, designed to support your growth and innovation.
  • Exceptional connectivity with on-site parking and a strategic location near London and major international hubs.

Discover how it could help your team thrive and your business grow by contacting Surrey Research Park direct.

Looking for more bespoke support to grow your Surrey business? Contact our team of experts for a free consultation via our Business Support Form.

The exterior of a glass fronted office building.
Group of people celebrate outside a research park in Surrey, UK