Imperial and Sciopolis launch Base One, London's newest science and technology hub

Base One launched today offering a blueprint for the growth of advanced manufacturing in Britain by supporting high-growth scientific companies to scale in the UK.

Base One (previously 1 Portal Way), in London’s North Acton, is part of Imperial’s Old Oak Innovation Cluster and sits at the heart of WestTech London, the innovation ecosystem established and anchored by Imperial which brings together world-class research, global talent, industry and infrastructure to create jobs, attract investment, drive growth and cement the UK’s position as a leader in science and technology. 

We are strengthening our contribution to the UK’s network of national innovation assets and supporting a truly vibrant innovation ecosystem that’s competitive with the very best in the world. Hugh Brady President, Imperial

Base One has been designed for established science ventures which are entering their next stage of growth – whether Imperial spinouts or science-based ventures from anywhere else. Base One’s facilities support ongoing R&D and product development, as well as prototyping and early-stage manufacturing. It is located alongside Grapht Works, Imperial’s dedicated advanced manufacturing facility for companies moving into pilot, demo and commercial manufacturing. Together, these two innovation facilities create a new hub for advanced manufacturing – with innovators able to move seamlessly from lab bench to factory floor – supporting the UK’s mission to reinvent its industrial heritage for the modern age.

Base One offers affordable, high-quality, ready-to-occupy labs and offices for deep tech companies and aims to solve the ‘space problem’ for innovators who have often struggled to find flexible, cost-effective spaces that can adapt with their businesses as they progress from R&D to prototyping and production.

The 55,000 sq ft innovation hub is open to innovative companies from all science sectors, ranging from biotech to chemistry, cleantech, advanced materials, AI and beyond. The hub offers the expertise of specialist landlord Sciopolis, on the ground support from  Imperial Incubator, as well as connection to Imperial’s innovation ecosystem. All occupiers will benefit from connections to Imperial’s world-leading experts and academics, a pipeline of exceptional STEMB graduate talent, access to specialist equipment and facilities, as well as a network of connections to founders, funders and collaborators.  

West London is emerging as a leader for science and innovation, and in Old Oak Innovation Cluster we now have a destination where innovators can go from lab to pilot, to production without leaving the postcode. Howard Dawber Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth

Base One occupies a strategic location in a growing innovation area, Old Oak Innovation Cluster. It is minutes from Imperial's White City Campus and Hammersmith Hospital Campus, and borders Park Royal Industrial Estate, London's largest industrial estate, which currently employs more than 40,000 people and has more than a century of manufacturing heritage.

It sits within the wider regeneration of Old Oak, the largest regeneration opportunity in London, which is to be transformed by the Old Oak Park Royal Development Corporation and the future Old Oak Common superhub, which will connect HS2, the Elizabeth line and GWR, making it the UK’s third busiest station and offering unique connectivity to innovation clusters across the UK including in Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and Cambridge.

As Base One launches, it welcomes its third occupier Nanomox, who will manufacture and commercialise their pioneering high-transparency zinc oxide, designed for use in mineral sunscreens, cosmetics, rubber and electronics, from the hub. Nanomox joins existing occupiers including women’s intimate health company P.Happi®, sold in Boots, which is manufacturing its microbiome-focused products and Ki Hydrogen, the award winning cleantech company which has created the world’s most cost-effective solution for converting abundant biomass into green hydrogen and biogenic CO2. 

Hugh Brady, President, Imperial College London: “As we welcome Base One into WestTech London we strengthen our contribution to the UK’s network of national innovation assets, supporting a truly vibrant innovation ecosystem that’s competitive with the very best in the world. Starting from our base in West London, we are enabling a genuinely national asset, with strong links and partnerships to innovation clusters across the UK, such as the West Midland’s manufacturing base for robotics, AI and deep high-value supply chains, and centres of research excellence in Harwell, Oxford, the Bristol Innovation Arc, Cardiff, and beyond.”  

“For too long high-growth companies have struggled to find the space they need to scale in the UK”, said Charlie Mitchell, CEO of Sciopolis. We are responding to this pressing need by creating quality, affordable and read-to-occupy options that enable companies to remain in London, supported by a university-connected in an environment that is engineered for growth. Base One and the wider Old Oak Innovation Cluster are a blueprint for advanced manufacturing in Britain.”

“West London is emerging as a leader for science and innovation, and in Old Oak Innovation Cluster we now have a destination where innovators can go from lab to pilot, to production without leaving the postcode. Said Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth. “The new community of scientists and entrepreneurs being welcomed to Base One will not only support a new era of industrialization for the UK, but also sets a new standard for how science-led ventures can stay and scale.”

“Base One is the only destination in London that enables us to start manufacturing whilst remaining in an ecosystem built for our stage of growth, where we can scale up production alongside likeminded companies solving similar problems.” Said Dr Francisco Malaret, Founder and CEO of Nanomox.

 “Manufacturing our product for the first time is daunting, Base One enables us to be co-located with other innovators in the same situation who we can learn from which is invaluable,” said Koji Muto, Co-founder and CEO of Ki Hydrogen. “This facility delivers everything we need at this crucial stage in our growth – flexibility, affordability and continued access to the Imperial academic community.”

 “We’re proud to have our Lab Manager at Base One supporting every innovator who moves in. And we are of course delighted to see Nanomox graduate from Imperial Incubator in White City Campus and take the next step in their journey towards commercialisation. Over the past two years, Nanomox has made impressive progress, and we are delighted to have played a part in that journey” said Graham Hewson, Head of Incubation and Prototyping Space, Imperial College London.