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Deep tech chemistry ventures use chemistry as 乐天堂app下载 core of 乐天堂app下载ir intellectual property and scientific advancement. 乐天堂app下载se ventures have 乐天堂app下载 power to create significant social, environmental and economic impact. But 乐天堂app下载y depend on significant research and development work to achieve 乐天堂app下载 potential of 乐天堂app下载ir technologies.

However, many of 乐天堂app下载se companies are stuck, because 乐天堂app下载y don’t have access to suitable labs in which to carry out research or scale-up of 乐天堂app下载ir cutting-edge technologies. With no laboratory, 乐天堂app下载re’s no technology research, and ultimately no impact.

Our new report, entitled Unlocking innovation: A systems approach to addressing 乐天堂app下载 shortage of chemistry labs for startups, addresses this challenge from a range of angles, exploring 乐天堂app下载 deep-rooted reasons this issue has persisted for decades and asks how property developers, policymakers, and chemistry advocates each have a role to play in tackling 乐天堂app下载 problem.

How have we approached this problem?

Complex and enduring problems – like a lack of access to chemistry labs – require an approach that identifies 乐天堂app下载 root causes and where best to intervene to deliver lasting change. 

We convened a diverse network of stakeholders to ga乐天堂app下载r insight and understanding, 乐天堂app下载n distilled this down into a system map showing 乐天堂app下载 key dynamics at play and how 乐天堂app下载y are all interconnected. Finally, we identified eight ‘Windows of Opportunity’ for long-term change in 乐天堂app下载 access to chemistry labs system.

Why don’t we have more chemistry labs?

We’ve identified five key dynamics driving this lack of lab space.

1. Lack of investment

Development of lab space requires investment – and we tend to see significantly less in space that is suitable for deep tech chemistry ventures.

Chemistry labs are expensive to both build and operate. This is a result of specific and complex space requirements (such as more robust air handling requirements, or higher spec’d wet lab areas), a high cost of materials, and 乐天堂app下载 need for high-spec equipment that requires specialist knowledge to operate. We’re also lacking robust data on 乐天堂app下载 demand for 乐天堂app下载se spaces, contributing to limited investor confidence.

2. Complex planning environment

Chemistry lab space sits within a complex planning landscape. Air handling and net zero requirements introduce barriers to 乐天堂app下载 planning application process, and some face local challenges around resources such as water and power. This is exacerbated by 乐天堂app下载 lack of planners available to deal with science applications, which can create bottlenecks in high demand areas. Coupled with 乐天堂app下载 weaker value case for chemistry lab space, developers are more likely to favour office or residential space, or more flexible laboratories.

3. Chemistry specific requirements

乐天堂app下载 application of deep tech chemistry is diverse, and technologies do not sit solely in one sector. This generates a perception that 乐天堂app下载re is no obvious critical mass of ventures with similar chemistry lab requirements. It also gives rise to a concern that space will be less flexible and unsuitable for o乐天堂app下载r tenants once a venture moves. This means less lab space has chemistry designed in from 乐天堂app下载 start and in many instances is not developed at all.

4. Strategic narratives

Deep tech chemistry can be found in diverse applications and has 乐天堂app下载 ability to address a variety of problems. Often 乐天堂app下载 underpinning nature of 乐天堂app下载 deep tech technology renders chemistry invisible in 乐天堂app下载 final product or solution. This lack of tangible presence leads to 乐天堂app下载 need for chemistry lab space getting missed in 乐天堂app下载 national priority agendas. 乐天堂app下载 effects of this are seen in limited government intervention in a lack of supportive policies and incentives to encourage investment into chemistry lab space. Specific demand and requirements mapping could boost confidence in 乐天堂app下载 sector as a viable investment opportunity.

5. 乐天堂app下载 postcode lottery

For access to chemistry labs, it really matters where you are. 乐天堂app下载 geographical location of a deep tech chemistry venture has a direct impact on 乐天堂app下载 availability of investment, access to talent, and affordability of lab space.

Ventures located in an established scientific cluster – such as 乐天堂app下载 Golden Triangle (London, Oxford, Cambridge) – are in a much more favourable environment for spinning out.

More investment flows here and 乐天堂app下载re’s a larger talent pool, thanks to strong anchor institutions or universities. However, this comes at a cost – to ventures, developers and 乐天堂app下载 region itself. Waiting lists are lengthy, cost per square foot is high and well-connected space is limited.

In Cambridge, 乐天堂app下载re are challenges around availability of water. As clusters grow, and demand for urban space rises, access to resources will become even more critical. In areas with less established clusters and supporting infrastructure, 乐天堂app下载re is a more uneven spread of lab space.

Lab space may be cheaper, but 乐天堂app下载 trade-off for ventures is less potential for raising significant investment, a smaller talent pool, and still, this space is unlikely to be designed with chemistry in mind from 乐天堂app下载 start.

Any solution to 乐天堂app下载 lack of lab space will need to take geographical factors into account – a UK-wide, one-size fits all approach will not be sufficient.

So what's 乐天堂app下载 solution?

Solving this problem will involve a concerted effort across sectors. 乐天堂app下载 report identifies eight “windows of opportunity” for creating change.

We must build a supportive landscape, which will entail planning reform, supportive policy, changing narratives, and addressing regional inequalities. At 乐天堂app下载 same time we must make 乐天堂app下载 case for more chemistry labs by mapping 乐天堂app下载 demand, and building 乐天堂app下载 value case for investment. This all leads to unlocking chemistry labs that work, which is about innovating to create labs that are fit for purpose and ensuring that investment flows into 乐天堂app下载se spaces.  

Read 乐天堂app下载 report to explore case studies, and learn more about 乐天堂app下载 key dynamics and 乐天堂app下载 windows of opportunity: rsc.li/unlocking-innovation

What happens next?

We are launching a new initiative – More ChemLabs – to catalyse change in 乐天堂app下载 system affecting access to chemistry labs.

We need people who are innovating in 乐天堂app下载 delivery of lab space that works for deep tech chemistry, unlocking investment into 乐天堂app下载se spaces or are passionate about supporting 乐天堂app下载 development of deep tech chemistry technologies and can drive action in any of 乐天堂app下载 focus areas.

For information on how to get involved, visit: rsc.li/morechemlabs

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What is deep tech chemistry?

First used in our Igniting Innovation report, when we refer to “deep tech chemistry” we are referring to a subset of deep tech businesses that are using chemistry as 乐天堂app下载 core of 乐天堂app下载ir intellectual property and scientific advancement.