Virtually Unstoppable: How Hethel’s Hidden Gem is Powering Founders from Anywhere 💥
by Shahid Bilal | 12th Nov 2025 | Hethel Innovation
In a world where flexibility is king, Hethel Innovation’s Virtual Membership is quietly becoming one of the smartest moves a founder can make.
For just £45 + VAT per month, this offer delivers far more than a redirected landline or a PO box. It gives you a professional identity, sector-specific credibility, and real access to a thriving innovation ecosystem — all without needing to rent a physical office.
What is Hethel’s Virtual Membership?
It’s a virtual tenancy — but not as you know it.
This is a membership into a community of game-changing businesses, backed by the infrastructure, support, and reputation of Hethel Innovation. Whether you’re a startup, freelancer, or remote-first team, this is your chance to plug into something bigger.
A Real-World Perspective
Looking back on our own journeys before joining Hethel Innovation, Shahid recalls running a business where he paid £30 a month just for a redirected landline — no business address, no support network, no added value. But when you’re starting out, especially in innovative sectors where resources are tight, affording a physical address, an office manager, or even a dedicated workspace can feel out of reach. You’re often working out of a van, a lock-up, or a spare room, doing your best to build something meaningful. That’s why Hethel Innovations Virtual Membership is such a powerful first step and why we’re so passionate about it – it’s the kind of support we wish we’d had back then!
Virtual Tenancy gives your business credibility, something you can be proud to put on your website or funding application, and it opens the door to so much more. We’ve seen businesses start with just two people in a shared space and grow to 60+ employees, eventually graduating into their own buildings. This isn’t just about mail handling, it’s about supporting sustainable business growth and driving economic impact in the region. Wrapped in support and enriched with co-benefits, Virtual Membership is a smart, strategic move for any founder ready to grow.
What’s more, from a customer’s perspective, they may never know you don’t have a physical office. With access to professional meeting rooms and welcoming communal spaces like the Coffee Forum, you can meet clients face-to-face in a setting that reflects the ambition and credibility of your business. It allows you to present your company as you intend to proceed — confident, capable, and ready to grow — even if you’re still operating lean behind the scenes.
Here’s what’s included:
A Registered Business Address
Choose from two of our flagship innovation hubs:
– Hethel Engineering Centre – a beacon for advanced manufacturing and engineering
– Scottow Enterprise Park – a hub for cleantech, digital, and creative industries
These aren’t just addresses — they’re sector-specific signals that tell the world you mean business.
Mail Handling
We’ll receive your post and place it in your personal post box, ready for collection. Need it forwarded? We can do that too (additional cost).
Optional Call Handling Service
Add professional call handling for just £19.99 plus VAT per month. Our team answers your business calls in your company name and forwards messages, so you never miss an opportunity — even when you’re busy or on the move.
Access to Business Support
Tap into our expert team for advice, guidance, and connections. Whether it’s funding, strategy, or scaling — we’re here to help.
Workshops & Events
Get access to our business development workshops and networking events. Learn, grow, and connect with other ambitious founders.
Member Perks Portal
Enjoy exclusive deals on services like:
– Web design
– Marketing
– HR support
– Recruitment
…and more. It’s like having a toolkit of trusted suppliers at your fingertips.
Preferential Access to Facilities
Need to meet a client or host a team day? As a virtual member, you can book any size conference room—accommodating up to 70 people—for just £17.00 plus VAT per hour. Enjoy discounted rates on our flexible meeting spaces, with catering options available to make your gatherings seamless and professional.
Why It Matters
When one of us was running a business, we paid £30 a month just for a landline redirect. That’s it. No address. No support. No community.
Compare that to what’s on offer here — and it’s clear: Hethel’s Virtual Membership is incredible value.
It’s not just about saving money. It’s about projecting professionalism, gaining credibility, and accessing real support — all while staying agile.
Who’s It For?
– Startups looking to establish a credible base
– Freelancers who want to separate home and work life
– Remote-first teams needing a UK presence
– Innovators who want to be part of something bigger
Final Word: Let’s Stop Keeping This Quiet
This is one of Hethel Innovation’s best-kept secrets — and it shouldn’t be.
If you’re building something bold, this is your chance to do it with the backing of a community that gets it. A community that’s here to help you grow, connect, and thrive.
👉 Ready to become virtually unstoppable?
Find out more and join the community: https://hethelinnovation.com/space/pod/
Or get in touch: info@hethelinnovation.com | 01953 859 100
About the Author
Shahid Bilal
Innovation Advisor
Shahid Bilal is an Innovation Advisor at Hethel Innovation. He has a background in entrepreneurship and continuous improvement, with a focus on Lean methodologies, and is a member of the Institute of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange. Before joining Hethel, Shahid held lead roles in Continuous Improvement and Operations Excellence at Cambridge University Press and Assessment, delivering both operational and cultural improvements, including supporting the progression of ESG Sustainability Goals. Prior to his journey into professional improvement, Shahid studied Horticulture at Otley and worked in the field for over 17 years. This dynamic period included working overseas in the Basque region of Southern France and New Zealand, where he was involved in conservation projects.