Today, We are Pioneer Group (WAPG) launches new nationwide partnerships with Leyton, the UK's largest innovation funding consultancy, and leading UK law firm, Mills & Reeve. As a result of the innovative partnership, start-up ventures taking part in the WAPG business accelerator programme will gain free expert tax and legal advisory services.

Free credits will be offered to every cohort participating in WAPG start-up programmes, including programmes delivered in partnership with multiple regional agencies, including Oxford and East Midlands Academic Health Science Networks, and Opportunity North East in Scotland.

Through the provision of free tax and legal advisory services, WAPG aims to create highly practical advantages to science start-ups, reducing the complex burdens of navigating patents and IP, compliance product liability, R&D tax credits and grant funding applications. The partnerships with Leyton, and Mills & Reeve enable founders to focus on rapidly building valuable products and commercialisation strategies, leaving administrative burdens with experts in the field.

This latest announcement from WAPG further cements its position as a leading provider of business growth support to entrepreneurial science and tech ventures. In October, WAPG announced a first-of-its-kind partnership with Astellas, sponsoring one entrepreneur via free accommodation at a WAPG location for twelve months. The announcement, which came months after the formation of WAPG following the acquisition of BioCity Group, demonstrates the intention to extend the reach and amplify the existing opportunities created by BioCity.

Ayokunmi Ajetunmobi, WAPG venture development manager, said, "The BioCity Accelerator was hugely successful. Over five years, we worked with 144 entrepreneurs, with 38 raising a combined total of £42M; the new WAPG national accelerator programme will build on this success. Through partnerships with leading firms like Leyton, and Mills & Reeve, we can provide unparalleled access to the kind of expertise which would typically be out of reach to start-ups, alongside world-class entrepreneur coaching."

"We are incredibly proud to be partnering with WAPG and to play some small part in the growth & success of the exceptional companies within the ecosystem. Having just been through the most recent BioCity Accelerator programme, I know the potential these companies have to change the world for the better, and we're delighted to be a part of that journey" - Dominic Landman, Leyton UK.

Mills & Reeve's Partner and Life Sciences expert, Junaid Haroon, commented, "We are thrilled to be the exclusive legal partner and working with WAPG on these accelerator programmes across the nation. It is our honour to advise and support these hugely exciting and innovative businesses, and we look forward to working closely with them as they continue to develop and grow into the industry leaders of the future."

To find out more about the WAPG accelerator and upcoming programmes in 2022, visit wearepioneergroup.com/accelerator-programme

About We are Pioneer Group

We are Pioneer Group is a platform provider which creates innovation ecosystems at science and technology properties. Providing the environments in which businesses are more likely to succeed. We are Pioneer Group (WAPG), integrates start-up and scale-up venture development programmes, VC investment and real-estate, with powerful sector-specific business-focused communities, helping science businesses grow.

Founded in April 2021, following the £120m acquisition of BioCity Group by Trinity Investment Management and Harrison Street Real Estate Capital, WAPG is the UK's first nationwide life sciences ecosystem. We are Pioneer Group manages more than 2.6 million square feet of science parks and single assets across nine locations: BioCity Glasgow, BioCity Nottingham, Cardiff Edge, Colworth Science Park, Edinburgh Technopole, Hexagon Tower, MediCity Nottingham, Wilton Centre, Kent Science Park.

With 6oo+ occupying companies across the portfolio, WAPG represents 7.5% of the entire UK innovation ecosystem and the largest community of scientists, technologists, and entrepreneurs in the UK.

We are Pioneer Groups' national Accelerators, and commercialisation programmes scale up the existing knowledge and tech transfer between universities and the private sector, creating essential links between academia and industry.

WAPG deliver start-up and scale-up venture development programmes in-house and in partnership with Innovate UK, East Midlands, and Oxford Academic Health Science Networks, ONE Aberdeen and Newcastle BioSphere. Over five years, 144 entrepreneurs graduated from a WAPG Accelerator, which raised a combined total of £42M.

For more information about We are Pioneer Group, visit https://wearepioneergroup.com/

About Mills & Reeve

Mills & Reeve is centred on achieving more for clients, their businesses and the wider communities we serve.

Our clients and their industries benefit from our knowledge and learning – on everything from wellbeing, diversity and inclusion to global trends. The wider community benefits from a focus on sustainability in client and business decisions.

Clients get a consistent experience with no surprises – we tell them what they need to know, when they need to know it. Our sector and market expertise helps us understand clients' issues. And our technology and innovations help them achieve more with less effort.

We build personal relationships, with advice individually tailored to individual need. And if clients need things we don't offer, we draw on our network to give recommendations.

Our 1,000 plus people and over 500 lawyers share one vision – achieving more for clients.

For more information about Mills & Reeve, visit https://mills-reeve.com/