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Future Towns Innovation Hub

A University of Southampton initiative.

Creating a better world for all who live in it.

The Future Towns Innovation Hub is a shared digital and in-person space where people come together to create happier, healthier and more prosperous places.

Based at Southampton Science Park, the Innovation Hub connects world-class academic insight with real-world challenges faced by local communities, local authorities and industry partners.

Its digital platform supports this mission by connecting people, expertise and ideas to accelerate place-based innovation.

Creating a better world for all who live in it.

The challenge

Towns, cities and regions across the UK are experiencing significant social, economic and environmental pressures.

From ageing infrastructure and climate resilience to transport, housing and community wellbeing, addressing these issues requires new ways of working that bridge the gap between research, practice and policy.

Through the Future Towns Innovation Hub, the University of Southampton has created a unique space to:

  • Encourage innovation by helping teams coalesce around shared goals.
  • Support collaboration across sectors, disciplines and geographies.
  • Turn academic insight into practical solutions for towns.
  • Catalyse scalable, low-carbon approaches that others can adopt.

Alongside the physical building, the University needed a digital platform capable of supporting structured collaboration while remaining intuitive and accessible to a wide range of stakeholders. Our software filled that gap.

The challenge

Our solution

A network-building platform for collaborative innovation.

Made Open’s community platform was chosen as the foundation of the Future Towns Innovation Hub because of its ability to foster peer to peer support, connect diverse stakeholders and support structured innovation processes.

Key features include:

Shared challenges
A space for users to post real-world issues and crowdsource expertise from across the network.

Team collaboration tools
Functionality for forming project teams, co-designing solutions and tracking progress openly.

Innovation showcase
A place to spotlight pilots, research insights and models that can be scaled across regions.

Career and skills development
Tools supporting professional growth, mentoring and knowledge exchange across the network.

Together, these features create a professional ecosystem where people come together to unlock ideas, share learning and accelerate change.

Our solution

Love Your Place

Helping people reimagine their future and co-create solutions for their communities.

Alongside the platform, Made Open helped shape Love Your Place - a community-led innovation programme that uses design thinking to help people turn problems into clear, actionable projects.

The programme guides participants through a structured journey:

Phase 1 – Get Ready
Starting with a Challenge Day at the Hub or on location, we explore the problems and projects that matter to you and your community.

Phase 2 – Get Started
After the Getting Ready phase, selected teams dig deeper into problems and possibilities; guided by the insights and expertise of others.

Phase 3 – Get Results
In this phase, teams co-create and test solutions, bringing their vision to life through prototyping or real world implementation.

Made Open designed this programme. This also included inviting our clients to Cornwall for a two-day masterclass in design thinking.

A participant from Cohort 1 shared: “The programme made me really think about what people actually want, not just what I assumed they wanted. As we understood the real problem, our project changed completely.”

Love Your Place

Looking ahead

The March 2025 launch marks the beginning of a long-term vision. The Future Towns Innovation Hub will continue to evolve—integrating with research programmes, supporting innovation funding streams, developing new mentoring opportunities and strengthening partnerships across the Central South and beyond.

As the network grows, the platform will remain central to its mission: connecting world-class academic insight with the lived experience of communities, councils and industry to create places that are sustainable, resilient and thriving.

Looking ahead

Future Towns Innovation Hub

Creating a better world for all who live in it, through collaboration, innovation and shared purpose.

 

Working with you has been a really positive experience. You not only understand the tech side better than we ever could, but you also really get our values and what we're trying to do. It's rare to find a team that’s both technically strong and genuinely aligned with how we want to work - open, honest and human. You've been so patient with all our team changes, and the attention to detail has been incredible. We'd absolutely recommend you.

Ellie Stevens, Community Resources Manager, Bristol City Council

Visit Can Do Bristol
Future Towns Innovation Hub

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What best describes your community?

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How big is your online community likely to be?

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Do you need assistance managing your platform?

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What features are you most interested in?

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How ready are you?


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Are you involved in the buying decision?
Will a platform address a key challenge within your community or organisation?
  
Do you need to address this challenge quickly?

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Based on your answers, we think you are...

56% ready

for a Made Open platform.

If you are looking to harness the strengths of your community or network, we can help get this figure closer to 100%.

What best describes your community?

You selected: A community of place

Our community software empowers a diverse range of public and voluntary sector partnerships. We've designed it with a deep understanding of what holds communities back and how leaders can make them thrive.

Unfortunately, communities often go unnoticed, despite their potential to make a difference. Yet, in every community, there's a treasure trove of untapped knowledge and compassion. The secret is to embrace each member's unique contributions. Our software shifts the focus away from problems and challenges to the boundless value they bring.

Each platform connects members to the skills, knowledge, support and resources within their community - propelling them towards a brighter future.

You selected: A community of practice

In the quest for excellence, individuals and groups often struggle to access expertise when they need it most. What they may not realise is that a wealth of untapped skills and knowledge is readily available to help them.

Our software serves as the key to unlocking the full potential of your network or workforce. We believe that success, whether for individuals or groups, hinges on the effortless exchange of skills and knowledge.

Each platform allows members to share their ideas, skills and talents within their network - propelling everyone towards excellence.

You selected: A bit of both

Whether it’s nurturing a local community or a community of professionals, our software understands what holds people back and what tools are needed to help them make a difference.

In every community or network lies an abundance of skills, wisdom and compassion. The secret is to embrace each member’s distinctive contributions and empower them as drivers of change, not mere bystanders of it.

Our software connects members to the wealth of skills, knowledge, support and resources residing within their online community.

How big is your online community likely to be?

You selected: Less than 100 members.

Why not dip your toes into the water with our 'Entry' platform? This starter-level solution is perfect for smaller communities or pilot projects, offering the most budget-friendly licensing option available.

You selected: Less than 1,000 members.

This is normal. Why not choose our ‘Creator’ pricing model? It accommodates up to 1,200 members while keeping your costs at a minimum as you establish your online community. You can easily add more features, services and members at a later stage.

You selected: 1,000 to 10,000 members.

The choice of many thriving communities, our 'Innovator' pricing model is designed to propel your success. Supporting up to 3,000 members and with many extra features coming as standard, our account team can help you manage queries and requests from your expanding user base.

You selected: More than 10,000 members.

For large communities with high expectations, our 'Enterprise' pricing model is the perfect fit. It's ideal for scale-up communities seeking top-tier products and services from Made Open, with the added flexibility to collaborate with partners and request enhancements as needed.

You selected: I don't know.

That’s fine. Fledgling communities often have big dreams but lack the specifics to make them happen on day 1. Consider starting small with our 'Creator' pricing model and scale up as you achieve certain milestones. You could also buy extra time from our team who specialise in growing online communities.

Do you need assistance managing your platform?

You selected: We can manage this platform ourselves.

The good news is that this is the most affordable choice. Our ‘Entry’ and ‘Creator’ models are like do-it-yourself options. But if you need help along the way, help is still at hand. We provide many guides, webinars and group training sessions that you can be part of.

Do you need assistance managing your platform?

You selected: We could use some assistance getting started.

Except for our Entry model, where it's more self-service, our dedicated team will be with you every step of the way. You'll receive a tailored Welcome Pack, help with setting up your platform and personalised training to get you started. In a nutshell, we’ve got you covered!

Do you need assistance managing your platform?

You selected: We’re likely to need help growing this community.

Many of our clients appreciate both our service and our platform's features. With our token system, you have full control to customise your dream platform. If you require ongoing support from us, you can easily add this to your plan.

Do you need assistance managing your platform?

You selected: We want to outsource platform management.

Some of our clients often have a budget for a platform but lack the resources to manage it. That's okay; we can be your complete outsourcing solution if you need assistance. Our account team specialises in community growth!

Do you need assistance managing your platform?

You selected: I don’t know

No worries! You might find our 'People Power' plan useful. It offers a clear roadmap for leaders like you to create a successful online community. If necessary, we can help you shape the big vision for your platform and offer practical day-to-day support.

What features are you most interested in?

Here are the features that are most important to you right now:

Timebanking ✔  
Listings ✔ 
Volunteering ✔ 
Events ✔ 
Idea sharing ✔ 
Discussions ✔ 
Polls ✔ 
Teams ✔ 
Campaigns ✔ 
Guides ✔ 
Goals ✔ 

It’s tempting to begin with all the features you desire, but starting small and expanding slowly is often a wiser choice. This approach ensures you platform begins life clear and focused.

Our recommendation would be to select the key features that align best with your community’s current needs and remain agile as these needs evolve.

Keep in mind that opting for just one feature initially offers the most budget-friendly option, as adding more features will also increase costs.

You have indicated the following:

  • You do have a budget for an online platform.
  • You might have a budget for an online platform.

    Things for you to consider:
    What is the funding strategy for this platform?
    Is investing in an online platform a priority worth budgeting for?
    Could you share the cost of licensing a platform with other organisations?

  • You do not have a budget for an online platform.

    Things to consider:
    Are there grants available for your project?
    If you represent a marginalized community, you may be eligible for a free starter platform.
    Are there local sponsors who might support your cause?

  • You are involved in the buying decision.
  • You are not involved in the buying decision.

    Things to consider:
    Who is on board and how can you (or we) engage them effectively?
    Could Made Open send any literature to support your business case?
    What objections might you encounter and what’s the best way to handle them?

  • You might be involved in the buying decision

    Things for you to consider:
    What’s the best way to engage other stakeholders in this project?
    Can Made Open assist you in engaging others through demos or discussions?
    Would beginning with a small-scale approach allow you to start and involve others later on?

  • A platform will address a key challenge within your community or organisation.
  • A platform won’t address a key challenge within your community or organisation.

    Things to consider:
    What is the key challenge you want to solve?
    What got you thinking about using technology in the first place?
    Is the current solution for this challenge fit for purpose?

  • A platform might address a key challenge within your community or organisation.

    Things for you to consider:
    What happens if you take no action?
    Can you gain insights from other Made Open platforms facing similar challenges?
    Would a small-scale trial or proof-of-concept be a valuable exercise?

  • You do need to address this challenge quickly.
  • You don’t need to address this challenge quickly.

    Things to consider:
    What are your timescales?
    How long do you need to prepare for them?
    Are there any events that might alter your deadlines?

  • You might need to address this challenge quickly.

    Things for you to consider:
    What will make this a pressing issue that needs immediate attention?
    How probable and imminent is this threat?
    Do you want to prepare in advance or are you okay with waiting?

These factors are key to rating your readiness for licensing our software but, whatever your level of readiness, we’re more than happy to help you explore next steps.

Thank you for completing this survey and we hope it was useful. We will be in touch to see if we can help further.

Let's build a better community.

Regards, the Made Open team


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