The UK’s largest property platform dedicated to the growth of the innovation economy, Bruntwood SciTech – a joint venture between Bruntwood, Legal & General and Greater Manchester Pension Fund – has welcomed Third Equation, a sustainable Research and Development Company specialising in grid enhancing technology enabling a sustainable electricity grid, to its leading science and innovation campus, Alderley Park, where the company has established its new headquarters.
Relocating from Edinburgh, Third Equation now occupies 6,400 sq ft of high-quality lab and office space. The move signifies a major expansion for the company and reinforces Alderley Park’s growing appeal as a premier destination for green tech and energy businesses in the UK. The new facility, which includes a state of the art laboratory with 1 MW enabled connection, will enable better collaboration and provide an ideal environment for demonstrating Third Equation’s products and prototypes to clients and investors.
Third Equation is an IP-led company specialising in sustainable energy grid management, focusing on solutions that improve the efficiency, capacity and sustainability of power distribution systems. The relocation to Alderley Park gives the company access to vital infrastructure, including a high capacity power supply essential for their research and development.
With the demand for electrical energy now on the rise, Third Equation’s IP and innovative technology solution addresses a growing need for increased power capacity into the national grid network. Their technology, which also enhances the quality of electricity provided to end-users, supports the UK’s transition to net-zero by enhancing the capability and capacity of the national grid.
While its new bespoke headquarter spaces were being developed, Third Equation operated from a temporary lab space at Alderley Park – a soft landing pad – enabling the company to recruit local talent as it established its base in the North West.
At Alderley Park, Third Equation will join a vibrant cluster of over 250 science, innovation and technology focussed businesses, including firms like cancer research specialist CellCentric; agrochemical company Globachem Discovery; and global software developers, SAP. The collaborative community offers numerous opportunities for partnerships and innovation through Bruntwood SciTech’s business support, and community events programme.
Third Equation’s office will be based in Glasshouse, a vibrant workspace and technology hub at the heart of Alderley Park, where they will work alongside other innovative firms specialising in areas such as AI, fintech, and software development.
Nestled within 400 acres of parkland, Alderley Park provides cutting-edge, flexible lab and office space, complemented by links to universities and the NHS via Bruntwood SciTech’s extensive partner network. This combination of state-of-the-art facilities and strategic location makes Alderley Park an ideal base for innovation-led companies.
Alderley Park is also home to Bruntwood SciTech’s award-winning Female Founders incubator, which addresses gender diversity gaps in the tech and entrepreneurship sectors. The programme offers female-led startups access to resources, mentorship, and networking, with 30 early-stage businesses supported by more than £20,000 of specialist business aid.
Alongside this, Alderley Park’s Life Sciences Accelerator programme supports early-stage life science companies, further reinforcing its position as a key player in fostering innovation. In the last year alone, businesses at Alderley Park secured nearly £50 million in new R&D funding, supporting pioneering projects in areas like cancer treatment and gene-editing technologies.
Mark Julian, associate director – commercial at Bruntwood SciTech, said: “Alderley Park has evolved into a diverse hub for science and technology businesses, increasingly attracting companies focussed on driving innovation across a range of sectors, including green tech. We are pleased to welcome Third Equation as a key player in our growing ecosystem.
“Our collaboration and expertise in designing their new lab has resulted in facilities tailored to support their success, demonstrating our commitment to fostering innovation in the sector. As Third Equation focuses on enhancing the sustainability and capacity of energy grids, their work will be vital in the country’s transition to net zero. The infrastructure we provide, including access to the high voltage power connections and collaboration opportunities with other industry experts and potential collaborators, will enable them to develop and showcase their technologies on a larger scale.
“Their move not only strengthens the innovative and forward-thinking community at Alderley Park but also supports the wider region’s ambitions to be a leader in sustainable energy solutions. We look forward to seeing the impact Third Equation will make and supporting them on their journey.”
Greg Dujon, CEO of Third Equation Ltd, stated: “During our strategic review, we sought to optimise every aspect of our business, including location. We created detailed criteria, focusing on key factors such as grid connectivity, access to talent, proximity to customers, transport links, sustainability, and a great working environment. To justify the investment, we needed to meet at least 80% of these criteria. Alderley Park exceeded our expectations, making the decision to move straightforward. Today, we’re enjoying the benefits, with customers visiting our campus and our ability to showcase our latest technology in real-world conditions within our lab.”
This latest announcement comes a year after Bruntwood SciTech announced an additional £500 million investment into the science, tech and innovation sector and welcomed the UK’s largest local government pension fund, Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF) into the joint venture to support long-term, patient capital playing a crucial role in the growth of the domestic innovation sector.
Today, Bruntwood SciTech has £314m of investment currently underway across Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, and Liverpool, and is bringing to market 1.45m sq ft of state-of-the-art workspace for innovation-led businesses; for startups through to global HQs.
