Kreo tn2 Karlsruhe, Rhône Alpes, Emilia-Romagna and Oxfordshire Thematic Network for the Support of Innovative Companies

6.4Structures in Oxfordshire

In Oxfordshire, a main actor working in the support to new businesses with a high technology content is Oxford Innovation Ltd, that has developed a wide series of tools to support new businesses. The two selected initiatives have been both developed by Oxford Innovation: their network of Innovation Centres and Diagnox Laboratory.

6.4.1Oxford Innovation’s Innovation Centres

Oxford Innovation has set up and currently manages a network of 12 innovation centres providing a wide range of services to innovative start-up companies. The first Innovation Centre was set in the early 1990s in the Oxford area, and the network has grown rapidly to become one of the most successful regional business incubators networks in Europe.

At present, Innovation Centres are based in several areas of the South East of England region and provide selected companies with a series of services:

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  Office and Laboratory space on a flexible basis
  
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  Fund raising through Oxford Innovation’s business angel networks, R&D Grants service and investment readiness programme
  
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  Oxiflex, a virtual office service, providing a first step to business success
  
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  Access to business networks and clusters (e.g. OxMediaNetwork for the media industry, Diagnox for the diagnosis industry, etc.)
  
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  Support from Enterprise Hubs for North Oxfordshire, Southern Oxfordshire and the Solent.
  

Innovation centres are profitable and financially viable after 2 years operation. Their success mainly reside in their rich network of relationships with all types of actors, location in key areas (in research organisations, science parks, etc.) and complementary support programmes for entrepreneurs (Business Angels Networks, Fit4Funding programme aimed at making start-up companies ready to deal with potential investors, cluster networks, etc.).

All together, the Innovation Centres currently can host over 200 companies at the same time and, in the first 10 years of activity, 400 companies have benefited from the services provided by the Innovation Centres.

6.4.1.1Main origin of funds

In the setting-up process, public funds have been fundamental for the infrastructures. Public funds are also fundamental for providing specific support services to tenants at prices below the market standards. As regards structural costs, those are mainly covered by tenants contribution.

6.4.1.2Target enterprises

Target enterprises can vary from one centre to the other. Most of them are dedicated to technology companies with no sector focus, whereas in some cases they are dedicated to SMEs in a specific sector, e.g. the Colin Sanders Innovation Centre provides premises for software, IT, knowledge-based and creative businesses.

6.4.1.3Links with research

Research institutions represent an important partner of Oxford Innovation Ltd. even if they are not involved as shareholders. Some innovation centres are located within research areas. In some cases, they are even owned by research institutions (e.g. Begbroke Innovation Centre that is based within the Begbroke Science and Technology Park of the University of Oxford) and managed by Oxford Innovation. In all cases, research spin-outs are an important target for innovation centres even if the link with a research structure is not always a pre-requisite.

6.4.1.4Project development

Innovation Centres provide workspace and support to small companies mainly in the early stage.

6.4.2Diagnox Lab⁹

DiagnOx Lab is an initiative set within the DiagnOx project, a full service platform for the diagnostics sector that facilitates the commercial exploitation of research in the field, increase competitiveness and scientific excellence. DiagnOx offers services to meet the needs of researchers, new and established businesses, and professionals with an interest in the diagnostics sector.

These services include:

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  Technology Audit
  
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  Intellectual property identification, protection and intelligence
  
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  Assistance in sourcing proof-of-concept and development funding
  
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  Assistance in sourcing start-up finance
  
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  Establishment of company
  
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  Support with finding staff and facilities
  
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  Introductions to partners
  
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  Organising meetings, training courses, partnering and networking events
  
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  Specialist consultancy
  
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  Provision of specialist reports
  

The design of the DiagnOx services has been guided by a Steering Committee with representation from across the sector including; British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA); The Diagnostics Club; Universities and NHS Trusts (IP generators); plus major international diagnostic companies and smaller companies.

DiagnOx Lab represent a particularly innovative initiative: Diagnox Laboratory is a unique managed and equipped laboratory and office facility which opened in late 2003 within Cherwell Innovation Centre. The lab enables researchers or companies, particularly those with medical diagnostic technologies, to undertake proof-of-concept work, cost-effectively and in a supportive environment.

6.4.2.1Main origin of funds

DiagnOx was initially awarded funding through the DTI's Biotechnology Exploitation Platform (BEP) Challenge. Government has long recognised the strength of the UK in producing world-class medical research but subsequent commercial exploitation has been an area of persistent weakness. The BEP Challenge initiative was introduced to try and rectify this position.

DiagnOx membership has grown rapidly and now includes researchers, new businesses, established businesses, organisations and professionals with an interest in the UK diagnostics sector. Members of DiagnOx pay a membership fee which contributes to managing costs of the platform.

As regards DiagnOx Lab, managing costs are also financed by individuals/companies that have access to the lab’s facilities.

6.4.2.2Target enterprises

DiagnOx targets enterprises and individuals working in the medical diagnostics sector. As regards DiagnOx Lab, priority access is given to researchers or companies working in medical diagnostics, even if other application fields are also possible.

6.4.2.3Links with research

DiagnOx has tight links with several research institutions. It is guided by a Steering Committee with representation from across the sector including the British In Vitro Diagnostics Association (BIVDA), The Diagnostics Club, Universities and NHS Trusts (IP generators), plus major international and smaller diagnostic companies.

6.4.2.4Project development

DiagnOx Lab is both for individuals – with a research project at the proof of concept stage – as well as for small enterprises wishing to use the lab facilities.