Scale Smart: Choosing the Right Lab for Your Company

As your company grows, unexpected pivots or roadblocks are inevitable. Understanding how different lab spaces support flexibility, privacy, and operational control is key to choosing the best fit for your evolving needs.

Incubators: Launchpads for Early-Stage Innovation

Incubators are your go-to for early-stage startups. They offer a low-risk, cost effective plug-and-play solution, complete with lab benches, standardised suites, shared equipment and essential services.

PROS:

• Cost-effective Entry: Forget renovation and equipment costs. The all-in pricing (per bench, table or suite) simplifies budgeting.
• Ultimate Flexibility: These labs are move-in ready with short term 1-2 year leases and modular setups. Scale up or down effortlessly, even from a single person.
• Vibrant Community: Connect and collaborate with fellow startups. Build your network!

CONS:

• Limited Privacy: Shared spaces can be a challenge for sensitive intellectual property. though some incubators do offer private suites for confidentiality.
• Limited Customization: Tailoring the space for unique workflows or specialized equipment is often restricted.

Ideal For:

• Early-stage startups focused on scientific discovery and proof-of-concept looking to minimize operational hassle.
• Companies with tight budgets seeking flexibility and a supportive community.

Graduation Spaces: Bridging the Gap to Independence

As companies expand, they need more space, privacy, and customization, but aren’t quite ready for a fully independent lab. Graduation spaces are the perfect middle ground.

These private units can accommodate both lab and office needs, come pre-equipped with essential infrastructure like air-conditioning, mechanical ventilation (ACMV), electrical wiring, and basic lab amenities (benches, sinks, emergency shower/ eyewash). They strike a balance between more privacy and customization than incubators, while still offering the advantages of shared resources.

PROS:

• Balanced Autonomy: Enjoy more privacy and configuration freedom than incubators, but still benefit from a supportive community.
• Economies of Scale: Access shared amenities like meeting rooms and pantries, plus high-cost equipment (autoclaves, imaging systems) without upfront ownership.
• Operational Support: Operators often handle maintenance, permits (fire, chemical) and licenses, slashing your daily operational load.

CONS:

• Higher Costs: Private suites and customization are pricier than incubators, but still more affordable than bare-shell units.
• Reduced Lease Flexibility: Leases are longer (e.g. 2–5 years), requiring more commitment.

Ideal For:

• Companies that need more privacy or specific operational configurations.
• Service providers (e.g. CROs/CDMOs) running pilots or testing markets before scaling up.

Bare-shell Units: Full Autonomy and Responsibility

Bare-shell units offer complete control for established companies with strong operational capabilities and long-term growth plans. These blank-slate, self-managed spaces are typically leased directly from landlords.

You get autonomy and customization, but also the full responsibility of managing all fit-outs (design, ACMV, emergency power, electrical lines), compliance, and daily operations. While bare-shell labs offer unmatched independence, they demand high upfront investment and inflexible lease terms, making them a calculated risk.

PROS:

• Complete Control: Enjoy full privacy and the freedom to design the space to your exact specifications and workflows.
• Long-term Stability: Secure a dedicated facility, building your independent business identity and brand.

CONS:

• High Initial Investment: Expect significant costs for fit-out, renovations and equipment.
• Long-term Commitment: Landlords typically require minimum floor areas (approx. 2000 sqft+) and long leases (usually 3 –10 years), often without break clauses, making pivoting or downsizing tough.
• Full Operational Load: You’re responsible for all compliance, staffing, and maintenance.
• No Community Vibe: Limited access to the built-in community found in incubators or graduation spaces.

Ideal For:

• Well-funded startups in advanced clinical development.
• Established service providers with steady revenue.

At ClavystBio, we’re dedicated to nurturing the growth of life sciences ventures. Our collaborative innovation space, Node 1, is purpose-built for companies graduating from incubators. We offer private suites and graduation spaces, operational support, flexible lease models, and access to an engaged community.

Find the perfect lab space. Contact us to discuss how Node 1 can support your company's growth and success.