Bedford i-lab Celebrates 10th Birthday

Mayor of Bedford Borough Dave Hodgson; Head of Economic Development Mark Oakley; i-Brand Centre Manager Simon Dunning; and Assistant Centre Manager Syreeta Kalyan

Bedford i-lab, a destination of choice for entrepreneurs and businesses in Bedford, celebrated its tenth birthday this July.

Bedford i-lab was a pioneering project by Bedford Borough Council to provide flexible and affordable office accommodation tailored towards innovative and exciting businesses, including start-ups.

Located in Bedford's most prestigious business setting, Priory Business Park, i-lab serves as a base for those looking to grow their innovative businesses and ideas. With spaces small enough for 1-2 people, and large enough for a team of 20 people, Bedford i-lab has a tremendous commercial presence. Since 2006, the centre has been home to over 250 expanding businesses developing innovative ideas, from start-ups to evolving businesses.

Ten years have passed since Bedford i-lab business and innovation centre first opened its doors and began supporting and growing a range of businesses. Many have gone onto bigger and better things, expanding into large businesses and becoming an integral part of Bedford Borough’s commercial community. 

During this time Bedford i-lab has welcomed businesses and entrepreneurs from sectors such as ICT/media, bioscience, electronic design, business and financial services.

To celebrate their many achievements over the decade, the i-lab team held an event for staff and both current and former businesses on Wednesday 20^th July.

Mayor of Bedford Borough and SEMLEP board director, Dave Hodgson, said “Bedford i-lab is a crucial incubator of business and entrepreneurship in Bedford Borough. Over the years the Council has seen many i-lab tenants grow and achieve great success thanks to the help they have received here in an ideal environment for innovative, smaller businesses. I would like to thank all staff and tenants, old and new, for their part in shaping what has been a real business success story for Bedford Borough over the last ten years.  We look forward to further success for the i-lab and its businesses over the next ten years and beyond.”