New wave of University of Bristol social ventures demonstrates the power of research-driven impact for communities and the planet

Affempreneurs empowers young women micro-entrepreneurs in Sub-Saharan Africa with business skills, financial resources and wellbeing support.

(IN BRIEF) The University of Bristol has introduced 12 social venture spinouts in less than two and a half years, marking a rapid expansion of mission-driven companies founded not from STEM but from SHAPE disciplines — Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts for People and the Economy. These ventures are built on academic expertise and aim to create practical benefit for communities and the environment. The University attributes this growth to a strong internal culture that links innovation with societal purpose, alongside dedicated commercialisation support and partnerships with national programmes like ARC Accelerator, Aspect and ImpactU. Examples include Affempreneurs, Circular Agriculture Hub, and Good Grief Festival, each addressing global or local challenges through solutions grounded in human insight. Bristol, ranked sixth nationally for spinout output, continues to strengthen its role in transforming research into meaningful social impact through enterprises that prioritise wellbeing, sustainability and community outcomes.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRISTOL, 28-Nov-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Bristol has achieved a notable milestone, launching 12 social venture spinouts in under two and a half years — each shaped by academic expertise and built with a strong commitment to social good. While university spinouts are often associated with science, technology, engineering or other STEM-driven disciplines, Bristol’s growing portfolio stands apart. These ventures are emerging from SHAPE fields — Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts for People and the Economy — transforming research focused on people, behaviour, culture and society into real-world impact.

A spinout refers to a new company created to turn university research into commercial innovation. In Bristol’s case, what distinguishes this new generation of companies is their people-focused mission. They are led by founders who are determined to solve social challenges, improve wellbeing worldwide and build business models centred on meaningful change for communities and the planet.

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, expressed her pride, saying she was delighted to see the influence these ventures are having in society and how they represent the university’s civic responsibility in action.

Several of Bristol’s standout SHAPE spinouts are already gaining national and global attention:

• Affempreneurs, supporting young women micro-entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa with financial tools, business education and wellbeing support.
• Circular Agriculture Hub, bridging the gap between surplus farm produce and communities with limited access to food — reducing waste while tackling food insecurity.
• Good Grief Festival, a creative initiative that addresses bereavement by opening supportive conversations around death, loss and grief, and building community around healing.

Commenting on the culture driving this wave of ventures, Professor Michele Barbour, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise and Innovation and a spinout founder herself, noted that the University has nurtured an environment where purpose and innovation evolve hand in hand. She emphasised that the success of these spinouts reflects the wider impact universities can have when societal benefit sits at the core of enterprise development.

To support SHAPE-focused innovation, the University of Bristol has developed a tailored commercialisation approach, working closely with national programmes such as the ARC Accelerator, Aspect and ImpactU. Dedicated support has also been embedded into the Research Commercialisation team, ensuring founders have the expertise they need to scale and sustain mission-driven ventures.

Robin Halpenny, Research Commercialisation Manager responsible for social venture spinouts at Bristol, highlighted the collaborative energy behind this progress, saying it is motivating to see support coming from across the institution and to work alongside individuals determined to improve the world.

A new video now offers further insight into Bristol’s SHAPE social venture spinouts and their growing impact.

Additional Context

The University of Bristol has been commercialising research since the 1990s, with output steadily rising — typically resulting in four new spinouts each year. The institution currently ranks sixth in the UK for spinout generation, according to Beauhurst. While technological innovation remains a strong pillar — spanning quantum computing, AI, clean energy and medical technology — the SHAPE portfolio demonstrates that innovation rooted in cultural understanding, behaviour, ethics, community and policy is equally powerful.

SHAPE commercialisation transforms insight into social enterprises, CICs, charitable models or mission-led companies that produce measurable benefits for society. These ventures draw on human-centred knowledge to improve systems, influence policy and drive social change.

Media contact:
Email: press-office@bristol.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)117 428 2489

SOURCE: University of Bristol