Imperial launches new space for business co-location at White City

Central Working White City, launched yesterday, will provide space for more than 400 start-ups, scale ups, and established companies.

The facility, based in the Translation and Innovation Hub (I-HUB) at the College’s White City Campus, is the result of a collaboration between Imperial College ThinkSpace and award-winning workspace provider Central Working. It is the company’s first university-linked shared workspace in London.

Central Working White City will provide support and space for businesses, who will also have access to Imperial’s extensive network of researchers, academics and other corporate partners, as well as the wider Central Working network.

Shared space: About Central Working

Designed to support businesses of all sizes – from young start-ups and fast-growth companies to established biotech and scientific research organisations – Central Working White City provides its members with a suite of services ranging from light and spacious offices to shared work spaces.

The first member to join Central Working White City back in May this year was OGCI Climate Investments, a start up with $1billion of funding from major oil and gas companies to invest in technologies to reduce the emissions footprint of the oil and gas industry. From its White City base, OGCI will leverage the UK’s innovative start-up community and Imperial’s access to world-leading researchers to accelerate deployment of low-emissions solutions.

Dr Pratima Rangarajan, CEO of OGCI Climate Investments, said: “This site will provide an excellent base for OGCI Climate Investments, as we collaborate with London’s researchers and startups to develop innovative technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“We believe we need to collaborate with the best and brightest, and at Imperial College London’s White City Campus we are well placed at the intersection of the scientific and business communities.”

Professor David Gann addresses the audience

Awards opportunity

Alongside the launch, Imperial and Central Working have announced the Scalable Business Award, which will provide five promising technology companies with support worth a combined £250,000.

Successful applicants will receive a year of free office space, as well as the guidance, business connections and advice associated with Central Working membership.

The award is open for companies with teams of between two and five that are developing technology or a business that has potential to transform an industry.

London’s Deputy Mayor for Business, Rajesh Agrawal, said: "London is a centre of excellence for education, research and innovation. Combined with a strong science base, first-class infrastructure, access to finance and ties with the business world, the capital is the best place for a business to grow. I’m really pleased to see Central Working launch its latest workspace in White City, which is further proof London is open to investment and innovative business ideas.”

Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Digital, said: ''Imperial’s White City Campus is at the heart of Europe’s fastest growing Innovation eco-system. It is the ideal environment for science, tech start-ups and scale-ups to thrive. The new Central Working facility in the Innovation Hub brings together entrepreneurs, researchers and industry partners – providing a vibrant co-creation workspace in central London.''

Dr Eulian Roberts, Chief Executive of Imperial College ThinkSpace, said:  “Central Working and its members, both current and future, will have a unique opportunity to work alongside some of Europe’s best research teams, academics, start-ups and established businesses. This new community will provide a dynamic and evolving network of talent, innovation, discovery and resources from which companies at every stage of development will be able to benefit.”