Bristol has been described as a business "hotbed of innovation and enterprise" by one expert.
According to Nick Sturge, director of the Bristol SETsquared Centre, the local population is talented and diverse.
He made his comments at an event which was set up to recognise the contribution the resource makes to the city.
It is a collaboration between the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey and is funded by the government.
During the FutureStory meeting, minister for the south-west Jim Knight - who took up his current role in June last year - identified the Bristol SETsquared Centre as key to the city's future success.
Since the beginning of 2008, the facility has helped early-stage entrepreneurs raise more than £44 million in debt, equity and grant funding. At present, it supports a total of 40 companies.
Mr Sturge remarked: "In Bristol, there is a strong desire to stimulate the local, regional and national economy through enterprise."
