A new business-to-business expo sponsored by Oxford Innovation has been declared a “triumph” for the Solent’s entrepreneurial community.
The inaugural Hampshire Business Show, held at the Ageas Bowl, near Southampton, attracted nearly1,500 registrations from visitors, with plans for a second one next year.
Stephen Deller, OVIC’s Centre Manager, said: “We’ve been inundated with firms wanting to find out how our centre can provide not just bespoke serviced office space but also how business support can help them flourish.
“Many businesses overlook that particular aspect when hunting for workspace – we are in a unique position to provide support.
”This includes one-to-one mentoring, workshops, seminars, programmes and knowledge transfers with the universities of Southampton, Solent and Portsmouth.
Stephen said: “Today’s inaugural Hampshire Business Show was a triumph. We are particularly proud because it is an OVIC occupier – digital marketing agency Mitchell & Stones – that brought this superb expo to life.”
He added: “The expo also showed the drive, ambition and passions of entrepreneurs from the Solent’s SME community.
“The importance of SMEs on the economy cannot be underestimated. According to government figures, there are 5.7 million in the UK, comprising 99% of all businesses.
“Of the 5.7 million, the vast majority are micro businesses of up to nine employees, accounting for 96% of all businesses in the UK – many of our customers are of this smaller size and they are the unsung heroes of the local economy.”
Josh Mitchell, co-founder of Mitchell & Stones, one of 46 companies based at OVIC, said: “#HBS19 far exceeded all of our expectations and we are now already taking bookings for #HBS20, such was the popularity with the business community.”
He added: “We are grateful to the team at OVIC for their support in enabling us to take the expo from concept to reality – their insights, connections and sponsorship were major factors in making #HBS19 the success it was.”
Keynote speakers at Hampshire Business Show included Mark Wright, winner of the BBC’s The Apprentice and Chief Executive of digital marketing agency Climb Online, Brad Burton, billed as the UK’s number one motivational business speaker, and Alison Edgar, a thought leader, speaker, author and entrepreneur.
Companies at OVIC include Svitzer Marine, Stellamar, Rika Digital, YA Logistics (UK), Mastervolt, Popcorn Learning Media, DFS Composites, Foresight Data Consultancy, Bracknell Roofing, Business South, DHI Water Environments UK, MJM Marine, 7Bone, Worldwide Cruises, Payflow, James Fisher Prolec, IT@C, OneSpaWorld and Provision Events.
Ocean Village Innovation Centre is managed by Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading innovation centre operator. With a UK wide network of over 20 centres, Oxford Innovation work on behalf of landlords and property investors, to manage their spaces and build communities for early stage and start-up business to thrive.
Other Oxford Innovation centres in Hampshire are BASE Bordon Innovation Centre, Fareham Innovation Centre and Portsmouth Technopole.
Interested in joining the business community at OVIC? Call us on 023 8038 1920 or visit oceanvillage-ic.co.uk to find out more.