Business competition launched to celebrate 30th anniversary

July 18th 2017

OVIC is helping to find the next Scale-up Star of the Future. A nationwide competition has been launched by Oxford Innovation, who manage this centre, to mark their 30th anniversary of supporting ambitious businesses across the UK. 

The nationwide competition has been created to identify the next generation of high-growth businesses. The winners can choose a tailored package in-line with their requirements and what support is needed. The unique offering includes:

  • private/shared/lab/virtual workspace up to the value of £5,000 (offering current OVIC customers a discount on their existing tenancy)
  • business coaching which will be delivered locally by expert consultants who are part of the Oxford Innovation network
  • and opportunity to pitch to investors.

 

Oxford Innovation has helped over 10,000 SMEs to become sustainable businesses since renowned entrepreneurs, Martin and Audrey Wood, founded the company in 1987. The husband and wife team also co-founded Oxford Instruments and The Oxford Trust. 

Any SME registered in the UK is eligible to apply no matter what stage they are at.

Rob Greenberg, Centre Manager said: “There are a number of exciting small businesses in this area with growth potential and it really would be fantastic to see home-grown talent in the top three of the Scale-up Stars of the Future competition. I’d strongly urge people who are looking to scale-up their business to enter to benefit from professional support and Oxford Innovation’s 30 years of supporting business growth.”

Oxford Innovation has helped over 10,000 SMEs to become sustainable businesses since renowned entrepreneurs, Martin and Audrey Wood, founded the company in 1987.  The husband and wife team also co-founded Oxford Instruments and The Oxford Trust.

According to a report* from innovation foundation, NESTA, just 6% of high growth companies generated over half of the UK’s employment growth.

Rob Greenberg added: “We’re excited to discover the next generation of scale-up stars who will create jobs and help to strengthen the economy in this area in addition to ensuring the UK is at the forefront of innovation.”

To enter the Scale-up Stars of the Future competition, businesses are required to complete an online application form and submit a short three-minute video summarising the business, innovation, growth plans and how you could benefit from Oxford Innovation’s support.  The deadline for entry is 1 September 2017. 

To enter or find out more, please visit www.oxin.co.uk 

* NESTA report that looks at the role of fast-growth companies in the UK

May 26th 2023

Oxford Innovation Space delighted to be managing its first London based innovation centre

Oxford Innovation Space manages the largest network of innovation centres across the UK and Ireland, with FBC Clerkenwell bringing their current total to 28 managed centres, with a further four in the pipeline. Businesses within these centres directly benefit from their business support onsite, access to business angels and funding, as well as being part of the wider network of centres.

May 26th 2023

Taking tech companies to the next level

Tech businesses looking to commercialise new ideas will be able to draw upon expert help at a special afternoon event in Hampshire.

An innovation and growth session takes place at Ocean Village Innovation Centre (OVIC), at Ocean Marina in Southampton, on Wednesday, 7 June.

April 28th 2023

Orchard blossoms in first year with new staff and recruitment

A recruitment consultancy in Southampton marked its first anniversary by making two employment moves of its own.
Orchard Recruiting, based at business hub Ocean Village Innovation Centre (OVIC), recruited Laura Baker as a permanent consultant and Rachel Marshall as a recruitment advisor.
Founded by Lisa Orchard, the firm has seen demand steadily increase from companies struggling to fill vacancies or expand themselves due to the UK’s labour shortage.
The start-up focuses on filling roles such as office administrators and customer service – temporary and permanent – for employers and job seekers, including in finance, accountancy, marketing, insurance, law, HR and manufacturing.