Sheffield Technology Parks (STP) is the inclusive home for tech entrepreneurs. A not-for-profit organisation, STP provides managed office and lab space plus co-working and meeting facilities in central Sheffield, combined with specialist business incubation, support and community.

Catalysing growth

STP currently homes 30 businesses, housing over 200 employees alongside freelance workers. A recent Economic Impact Assessment Report found that STP’s resident businesses have created 96 net new jobs over the past three years, most of which are highly-skilled, well-paid roles, creating knock-on benefits for the local economy.

Through its LOCATE programme, STP helps businesses from outside of the region to ‘soft land’ in Sheffield, removing financial risk and commitment from their relocation or expansion plans. This has seen companies like TUBR, BOW and MapStand make the move to Sheffield to become residents of STP and take advantage of complimentary meeting space, discounted office space and valuable introductions to STP’s broad network.

These companies have since secured investment, recruited staff and contributed positively to Sheffield’s tech ecosystem.

Supporting founders at every stage

Beyond providing physical space for companies and founders to locate, meet and grow, STP brings together a thriving community of start-up entrepreneurs, freelancers, and established businesses.

Regular networking events and internal communications help to foster a collaborative, inclusive and supportive environment. Businesses at any stage can seek honest and impartial advice from STP’s team, who will signpost entrepreneurs and resident companies to the right support at the right time.

STP’s resident businesses and founders are extremely varied; in the past year they have welcomed vertical farmers, eco-chemists and robotics specialists, to name but a few. A commitment to saying ‘yes’ wherever possible and to being agile means that exciting companies doing groundbreaking work can join STP, the inclusive home for ambitious tech entrepreneurs.

Fostering a sustainable ecosystem

STP is a registered non-profit organisation, enabling it to reinvest profits into entrepreneurship programmes and economic development activities. This includes the Cooper Project, STP’s business incubator, which supports founders to take an idea to the next stage and prepare them for growth.

It also includes STP’s vital role in city development projects such as the Innovation Spine, an initiative to link the infrastructure required to grow knowledge-led businesses in the city centre.

This means that businesses that choose to locate at STP are supporting the next generation of founders and contributing to significant enhancements in the city, through the rent they pay.

Working together

Speaking about the partnership with Sheffield Digital, STP’s CEO, Tom Wolfenden says,

“Sheffield Digital has done an exceptional job of building, representing and championing the digital tech community in the city and broader region. We are keen to support that continued work and enhance it where we can as a Regional Partner.”

He continues,

“Sheffield is increasingly attracting outside attention and our reputation as a city of innovation is gaining traction. Now is the time for core infrastructure, like our two organisations, the universities, local authority and SYMCA, plus others, to work together for a strong, sustainable ecosystem. By doing that, we can continue to keep and attract talented individuals and exciting companies with potential to create highly-skilled, well-paid jobs in the city, boosting the economy overall.”