Shared lab facilities
Enjoy 6 months FREE bench space within a modern lab and a flexible, collaborative coworking environment.
Coworking lab space, available now
Our shared lab space, in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University, presents an exciting opportunity for early-stage life science businesses. Whether you’re working in cell culture, molecular biology or chemistry, CoLab is the ideal coworking lab space to get started, advance your research and propel your business forward.
In addition to offering 6 months FREE flexible bench space in a collaborative coworking environment, our experienced lab technician is on hand to provide essential support and access to a diverse range of specialist equipment, enabling you to scale your operations without the need for heavy capital investment. You’ll also benefit from our our on-site Barclays Eagle Lab and support network.
With CoLab, you’ll not only have the space and resources you need but also a network of like-minded innovators to collaborate with, fostering growth and innovation in your research endeavours.
We’re dedicated to supporting the growth of early-stage companies, providing fully flexible space with easy in, easy out terms and a range of support to take your research to the next level. Watch our video to find out more!
Join CoLab today!
What's included?
Rent a single bench space for up to two people within a state-of-the-art CAT 2 lab plus access to a write-up desk.
Coworking lab space
Rent a single bench space for up to two people within a state-of-the-art CAT 2 lab plus access to a write-up desk.
We're offering up to 6 months free membership to CoLab for eligible businesses before benefitting from flexible license agreements thereafter.
Flexible rental agreements
We're offering up to 6 months free membership to CoLab for eligible businesses before benefitting from flexible license agreements thereafter.
Access a range of scientific equipment including microfuges, autoclaves, fume cupboards, incubators, cell culture facilities, protein and DNA electrophoresis and much more. Furthermore, you’ll have access to more extensive and specialist equipment at Canterbury Christ Church University’s main campus in Canterbury, Kent. Some equipment use may incur a charge, which will be agreed in advance with the University.
Access to equipment
Access a range of scientific equipment including microfuges, autoclaves, fume cupboards, incubators, cell culture facilities, protein and DNA electrophoresis and much more. Furthermore, you’ll have access to more extensive and specialist equipment at Canterbury Christ Church University’s main campus in Canterbury, Kent. Some equipment use may incur a charge, which will be agreed in advance with the University.
An experienced lab technician is on hand to support your day-to-day activities, foster close involvement with university academics and undertake technical services where required.
Lab technician support
An experienced lab technician is on hand to support your day-to-day activities, foster close involvement with university academics and undertake technical services where required.
Receive mentoring from Discovery Park’s Innovation team to help commercialise your ideas and connect you into wider networks.
Commercialisation support
Receive mentoring from Discovery Park’s Innovation team to help commercialise your ideas and connect you into wider networks.
Our on-site Barclays Eagle Lab provides free business mentoring and access to their Investor Readiness programme and Demo Directory - a platform connecting entrepreneurs and start-ups to potential investors.
Business support
Our on-site Barclays Eagle Lab provides free business mentoring and access to their Investor Readiness programme and Demo Directory - a platform connecting entrepreneurs and start-ups to potential investors.
Whilst there is no guarantee of investment, we'll make an introduction to Discovery Park Ventures (DPV), our very own investment fund aimed at supporting and mentoring exciting innovators with novel business ideas.
Introduction to investors
Whilst there is no guarantee of investment, we'll make an introduction to Discovery Park Ventures (DPV), our very own investment fund aimed at supporting and mentoring exciting innovators with novel business ideas.
Gain access to our early-stage business growth awareness and self-audit programmes to supercharge your entrepreneurial journey.
Growth Programmes
Gain access to our early-stage business growth awareness and self-audit programmes to supercharge your entrepreneurial journey.
You'll be located with like-minded entrepreneurs within Discovery Park’s wider scientific community to learn from, share experiences and collaborate with. You'll also benefit from a vibrant programme of industry events and social activities that provide the opportunity to network and connect with peers.
Join a community
You'll be located with like-minded entrepreneurs within Discovery Park’s wider scientific community to learn from, share experiences and collaborate with. You'll also benefit from a vibrant programme of industry events and social activities that provide the opportunity to network and connect with peers.
Download the CoLab brochure
Interested in 6 months' free lab space? Find out more about CoLab and why it could be the ideal starting point for your business.
Download the brochureWhat our community say...
As a start-up business with global-sized dreams, investigating the research and development of our ideas for a natural solution to our climate emergency and global water crisis seemed like an extraordinarily tall mountain to climb. Canterbury Christ Church University’s academic team made our mission into something achievable, easy, understandable, and exciting. The team’s undeniable talent, expertise, compassion, and communication skill have created a fantastic relationship between Bare Native and the University.
Abigail Gibson-Wass , Founder and CEO at Bare Native
Working together has presented significant benefits to our business. We have been fortunate to collaborate on some key projects which has resulted in valuable data that we are likely to use in the future to further our own product development, possibly leading to commercialisation of a novel assay. I’d encourage other companies to collaborate with Christ Church and academia in general.
Tom Beckitt , Global Product Manager & Principal Scientist at Genea Biomedx
