University Lab Partners (ULP)

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University Lab Partners (ULP) is a non-profit wet lab incubator located in Orange County, California.
What are the main aims and objectives?

The mission of University Lab Partners (ULP) is to empower economic development and job creation in Orange County, California. Its primary objectives are to accelerate the growth of life sciences companies and foster innovation in the biotech industry. ULP aims to achieve these goals by providing state-of-the-art laboratory and office spaces, along with access to specialized equipment and resources that are often prohibitively expensive for early-stage startups. Additionally, ULP is committed to advancing STEM education and workforce development, running programs that have served thousands of students and aspiring professionals. By combining a cutting-edge life science co-working environment with educational initiatives, ULP strives to create a thriving ecosystem that nurtures innovation, supports job creation, and contributes to the overall economic growth of Orange County's biotech sector.

How does the program work?

University Lab Partners (ULP) provides state-of-the-art facilities designed to support life science and medical technology startups in Orange County, California. The organization offers a range of flexible lab and office spaces to accommodate the diverse needs of its resident companies.

At the heart of ULP's offerings are their wet lab facilities. These include shared laboratory spaces and private lab suites, all equipped with cutting-edge scientific equipment valued at over $3 million. This shared equipment is available to all residents at no additional cost, allowing startups to access resources that might otherwise be out of reach. The lab spaces are designed to be adaptable, with options for customization in private suites (subject to pre-approval).

In addition to wet labs, ULP provides fabrication spaces, which are crucial for medical device startups and other companies requiring prototyping capabilities. These areas are equipped with specialized tools and machinery to support product development and testing.

Complementing the laboratory facilities, ULP offers flexible office spaces. These can be rented alongside lab benches or suites, allowing companies to house both their research and administrative operations under one roof. The office areas include access to conference rooms and meeting spaces, facilitating collaboration and professional interactions.

ULP's facilities also feature essential research infrastructure such as cold storage units, which are critical for many life science applications. The organization provides lab management services to ensure the smooth operation of these shared resources.

To foster a collaborative environment, ULP has designed common areas and spaces for networking and community building. These areas serve as hubs for informal interactions, knowledge sharing, and potential collaborations among resident companies.

The facilities are located in two sites: the main location at UCI Research Park in Irvine and a second facility in Aliso Viejo. This multi-site approach allows ULP to serve a broader range of companies across Orange County.

Importantly, ULP's facilities are more than just physical spaces. They come with access to a suite of support services, including business mentorship, scientific consulting, and educational programs. This comprehensive approach ensures that resident companies have both the physical infrastructure and the knowledge resources needed to thrive in the competitive life science and medtech industries.

What is the overall cost?

The total value of the facilities offered by ULP is $3 million. There is no further information about the annual running cost of the program. 

ULP recently received a $2 million award from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Build to Scale program. This federal grant will be matched by $2 million in local funding. ULP also generates revenue from its lab and office space rentals, as well as other services provided to resident companies. In 2022, ULP reported $3,304,297 in lab revenue.

How was it implemented?

University Lab Partners (ULP) was founded in 2019 through a generous gift from the Beall Family Foundation. The organization was created with a mission to empower economic development and job creation in Orange County, California, by combining a state-of-the-art life science co-working environment with workforce development and training opportunities.

ULP was established in partnership with the University of California Irvine Beall Applied Innovation. This collaboration aimed to create an open innovation platform that would enable life science and medtech companies to access unique research capabilities and a network of technical, business, and talent resources at an economical cost.

Since its inception, ULP has grown to become a premier, independent, non-profit wet lab and medtech incubator. It started with a 20,000-square-foot community-access wet/dry lab incubator, which has since expanded to include multiple facilities in Irvine and Aliso Viejo. This growth has allowed ULP to increase its capacity to support more startups and offer a wider range of services.

What impact has been measured?

Since its founding in 2019, ULP has several notable achievements:

  • Incubation of startups: ULP has incubated 64 resident companies in its facilities.
  • Funding raised: These resident companies have secured $535 million in funding.
  • Revenue generation: The incubated companies have generated $128 million in revenue.
  • Job creation: ULP's efforts have resulted in the creation of 448 new jobs in the biotech sector.
  • STEM education: ULP's STEM Education Programming has served over 2,000 students, helping to transform how students engage with science and life science career opportunities.

CURATED BY

Tom Hancock

Research Associate
Global Entrepreneurship Network
United Kingdom