Looking for support to develop your science and tech start-up? The Oxford Trust can help.

Set up in 1985 by Sir Martin and Lady Audrey Wood, the Trust’s mission is to encourage the pursuit of science and enterprise. Having founded and grown Oxford Instruments – the University of Oxford’s first spin-out company – the Woods understood the challenges faced by science and tech start-ups when trying to get their feet on the commercial ladder and established the charity to help. The Trust gives these early-stage companies the opportunity to take those first important steps by providing cost-effective, flexible office space and associated support in our two innovation centres – the Oxford Centre for Innovation (OCFI) and the Wood Centre for Innovation (WCFI). Our support is highly valuable as it allows companies to grow in a flexible way without any long-term commitments.

The Oxford Centre for Innovation (OCFI) is right in the heart of the city, a short walk away from many of the University of Oxford’s physical science facilities and the Said Business School. This centre supports 26 businesses, mainly at the earliest stage of development. Our new purpose-built Wood Centre for Innovation (WCFI) at Stansfeld Park in Headington has start-up space and bigger grow-on offices for companies looking to expand, as well as meeting and conference facilities. In a beautiful spot, surrounded by 15 acres of woodland, the centre is close to the health and data sciences quarter around Old Road Campus, clinical research facilities at local hospitals and Oxford Brookes University. Both centres are managed by Oxford Innovation, which has a wealth of experience in understanding the needs of young businesses.

Oxford Trust
14/05/2019
Picture by Ed Nix

Over the past 30+ years, the Trust has helped hundreds of local tech companies to grow and flourish thanks to the time they have spent in one of our innovation centres, including Mirada Medical, Perspectum Diagnostics, Navenio, Natural Motion and Oxford Computer Consultants. We also support the Oxford innovation ecosystem through our partnerships such as Venturefest Oxford, the annual Enterprise Awards, Advanced Oxford and the science and ideas festival, IF-Oxford.