Welcome to November's Innovation Insights
Oxford Innovation Space
We help transform local economies by creating environments where dynamic and innovative businesses thrive
Get ready for a power-packed newsletter that's here to fuel your business growth and success! Whether you're a start-up founder, small business owner, or seasoned entrepreneur, we've got something special in store just for you. Our workshops and events will cover a wide range of topics, helping you achieve your business goals effectively. Be inspired by success stories and case studies from our Innovation Centres, showcasing what's possible and motivating you to reach new heights. We hope you find our newsletter valuable and informative. So read on, and don't forget to let us know your news!
News & Updates
Mental Health First Aid Training Demonstrates Holistic Approach to Supporting SMEs
As part of Oxford Innovation Space’s holistic approach to supporting entrepreneurs and small business leaders within our 32 innovation centres, our in-house business support team has recently completed Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training through Oxfordshire Mind.
Beyond providing strategic help to innovate, grow and scale businesses, we recognise the need to support the mental well-being of the business owners themselves. By completing the MHFA online training course, the team is now better equipped to identify early signs of mental health challenges, provide initial support, and guide individuals towards professional help if necessary. The training further demonstrates our dedication to creating dynamic, supportive and inclusive environments for leaders of SMEs.
Neil Griffin , Business Support Director at Oxford Innovation Space, explains: "The Mental Health First Aid training has equipped our team with invaluable skills, allowing us to support founders not only with business challenges but also their personal wellbeing. By fostering an environment where mental health is openly discussed, we’re helping break down the stigma and empowering business owners to seek the help they need to thrive both personally and professionally."
QuAI Health Achieves UKAS Accreditation in Record Time With Unmatched Support
Heyford Park Innovation Centre customer QuAI Health, founded by a team of seasoned industry professionals, has quickly established itself as a leader in drug and alcohol testing. The laboratory recently achieved UKAS accreditation to the internationally recognized ISO/IEC 17025 standard in less than a year of operation—a remarkable feat that reflects the team’s expertise and dedication.
Smart Technology Consultancy Successfully Bridging the R&D Gap With an Injection of Modern Thinking
Rufilla, based at Culham Innovation Centre in south Oxfordshire, is at forefront of cutting-edge technology, supporting clients across energy, healthcare and transport to create smart connected devices that push the boundaries of technology to create a safer, greener, and more efficient world. In addition, Rufilla also champions a unique consultancy approach by sharing their technical expertise with their clients to ultimately make their services obsolete.
Dell for Startups Program: Start Up, Scale Up
Dell for Startups provides startup expertise from dedicated technology advisors and scalable solutions to ensure your business is always ready to grow. A few highlights include a dedicated account manager, exclusive discounts, connect with our startup network, virtual mentorship, flexible financing and comprehensive support.
MitoRx Publishes Study on AP39’s Effectiveness in Reducing Obesity
Harwell Innovation Centre customer MitoRx Therapeutics has published a study in Pharmacological Research demonstrating that its mitochondrial-targeted sulfide-donor compound, AP39, significantly reduces weight gain and fatty liver. This study is the first to explore the potential of mitochondrial sulphide donors in addressing obesity-related disorders.
OxLEP Business: Introducing Oxford Calling
Oxford Calling is a content-driven platform promoting Oxfordshire and its globally significant innovation ecosystem. The site will highlight the ambitions and achievements currently being developed within the county as well as aiming to connect with other innovation ecosystems across the world.
The site has already seen dozens of organisations, science parks, academics and entrepreneurs featured, using our uniquely curated cluster map, showcasing the current talent Oxfordshire already hosts across the county.
Growing and Diversifying the Supply of Equity Investment into Oxfordshire-based Science Companies
Advanced Oxford has now published its Green Paper, setting out data, analysis and a draft set of recommendations, the results of a project to explore ways in which the private capital investment landscape could be strengthened for Oxfordshire-based science and technology companies. This report draws together extensive research into the flow of private capital within Oxfordshire. They have identified around 665 science and technology-based companies that have raised investment in the ten-year period to the end of 2023 with the participation of over 3,600 different investors. Around £7.48bn has been raised by companies within the region.
The recommendations resulting from the research fall into 4 key themes:
Events
Be The Business Programmes: The Productivity Programme & Inspiring Leaders Programme
The Productivity Programme gives you the tools, energy, confidence and connections to tackle your biggest business challenges. You’ll get six months of personalised mentoring and advisory board support, and the inspiration to take control of your company’s future.
Inspiring Leaders Programme: Are you tired of the same old course content and career advice, where you are expected to learn from theory alone? You know about the frameworks and the top tips, but something is still missing. Maybe you are taking the next step in climbing your career ladder or are eyeing a portfolio career and you are unsure of where to start. We are offering a unique and output-driven programme where theory and experiential learning come together to provide you with the A-Z on the real-world application.
Recommended by LinkedIn
The Marketing Meetup: IRL
14th November, 18:00 - 20:00
Grassroots Workspace, Oxford
Grassroots is excited to host another Marketing Meetup! The Marketing Meetup is an informal, friendly place for the marketers of Oxford to meet, learn, and share knowledge with one another. Come in ‘listen’ not ‘sell’ mode. Think of this as a community event, where the focus is very much on you meeting other people in a chilled-out friendly space. We’ll chat over food and drink, listen to an inspirational speaker or two, chat some more, and go home buzzing with new contacts and new ideas.
Activating Networks for Success: Leveraging Connections in Life Sciences and BioPharma
21st November, 17:00 - 20:00
Grassroots Workspace, Oxford
Welcome to CONEXEN Oxford – a warm and welcoming hub for professionals in pharma, biotech, life sciences, and health tech in Oxford! Here, we invite you to join us for an informal and friendly gathering where connections are made, knowledge is shared, and friendships are formed. Come with an open heart and a willingness to “listen” rather than “sell.”.
Business Netwalking in Blenheim Palace
20th November, 09:30 - 11:30
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
This event welcomes Business Owners, Professionals and Team Members responsible for Networking, offering an opportunity to build valuable business connections whilst enjoying a lovely walk and talk around the stunning Blenheim Palace Grounds.
Our circular walk will start at the Palace and finish up at the Palace Café for coffee and further Networking.
Pop Up Financial Wellbeing Clinics
7th November, 09:30 - 12:00
Heyford Park Innovation Centre
Financial Fitness Advisors are running financial wellbeing clinics at Heyford Park Innovation Centre to help you achieve your business goals. Boost retention and improve productivity, engagement and health of employees by providing financial wellbeing and coaching.
Best of Breakthrough Labs: Learn From Our Sessions So Far
13th November, 15:00 - 16:00
Online
Based on your feedback, we've put together a "best of" session, distilling what our members have found to be the most useful advice, tips, tricks and suggestions from each of our online events since July! Breakthrough Labs' founder, Dr Kristen Weatherby, will run through the learnings and allow time for discussion and peer learning. This event is for woman-identifying founders only.
Show Your Love for WBIC and Win a £50 Amazon Voucher!
1st - 30th November
Witney Business & Innovation Centre
For the whole of November, Witney Business and Innovation Centre have launched their #lovemyworkspace campaign! If you’re a customer or visitor at Witney Business & Innovation Centre, simply like or follow their social media pages, share a post about what you love about the centre, tag them in it and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher!
Upgrade your business location
Do you know of someone looking for office space or coworking space? Introduce us to them and if they take an office space in one of our centres then you will receive £200 worth of vouchers of £50 if they sign up for coworking. With over 32 locations your friends will have plenty to choose from! (T&Cs apply, see website for more info).