Dr Rupa Huq MP visited Imperial's White City Deep Tech Campus to see how the university fosters entrepreneurship and engages with the local community.
Hosted by Imperial's Tom Bailey, Strategy Director (Innovation Ecosystem), Dr Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, visited to learn more about the White City Deep Tech Campus as the local MP.
She heard about Imperial's ambitions for WestTech London to drive growth, create jobs, and attract investment across London and the UK. Anchored by Imperial's science and innovation assets in South Kensington, Paddington Life Sciences, the White City Innovation District and Old Oak and Park Royal, WestTech London will become a global powerhouse for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Rupa learned about Imperial's recent investments in the Old Oak area where the university is a major long-term investor, developer and operator. WestTech London continues to grow in Rupa's constituency with the recent launch of One Portal Way, Old Oak, a new 55,000 sq ft scale-up space for science and technology ventures.
Opening in mid-2026, the facility will provide fully fitted lab and office space for up to 30 innovative scale-ups, helping to address London's shortage of affordable lab space and enable rapidly growing businesses to stay in the capital.
Supporting deep tech startups tackling health and tackle climate challenges
Rupa toured the White City Incubator, Imperial's innovation hub based in Scale Space, to explore how the university supports early-stage, deep tech companies working on solutions to improve health and tackle climate change. The Incubator removes barriers of entry for startups by providing them with flexible state-of-the-art wet labs and office space, shared specialist equipment and prototyping facilities.
She also heard how companies benefit from the Incubator with expert advice, tailored support and forming valuable connections that extend far beyond the lab, creating an environment designed to unlock an idea's potential and support growth.
Engaging local communities through education and research
The visit also highlighted Imperial's societal engagement activities which ensure that research and education benefit society. Vicky Brightman-Hahn, Director of Public Engagement, outlined how the university works with the public, including schools, patients and local communities, through programmes at The Invention Rooms in White City, which directly benefit Rupa's constituents.
At the Dangoor Reach Out Makerspace, Rupa saw first-hand how young people are introduced to tools such as 3D printers, laser cutters and scanners, helping them to develop STEM skills and confidence in a creative environment.
Farial Missi, Senior Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager, highlighted initiatives that support personal and professional development locally. These include What the Tech?!, a digital literacy programme founded by Imperial students, where students support elderly local residents with electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Agents of Change is a pioneering community leadership network, supporting women living and working in White City to drive social change. The programme supports female leaders of all ages, sectors and backgrounds to tackle local challenges through networking events, workshops, and seminars.
