Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION), Europe’s leading technology investment network, has announced the signing of the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus as a major new sponsor on a deal that is intended to boost the links between high growth companies, investors and research organisations in Oxfordshire.
The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is being developed into one of the world’s leading locations for scientific, academic and business collaboration through a joint venture between global property group Goodman, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Science & Technology Facilities Council (one of the UK’s seven research councils). The campus is home to over 100 science and technology companies as well as the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility.
The sponsorship deal will see the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus provide support for the OION Network, which helps technology companies secure funding from £200,000 to £2 million, and its sister network, Oxford Early Investments (OEI), whose remit is early stage companies requiring proof of concept funding from £25,000 to £250,000.
Eileen Modral, OION and OEI networks manager, announced the sponsorship at a special event for investor members held at the Diamond Light Source facility. The facility currently has 18 cutting edge operational experimental stations supporting the life, physical and environmental sciences. Diamond is funded by the UK Government via the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and by the Wellcome Trust.
Modral said: “We are delighted to welcome the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus on board as a prestigious new sponsor of both the OION Network and Oxford Early Investments. Their support, alongside our existing sponsors and members, will enable the Networks to maintain a high quality service for both investors and companies.”
Megan Morys, innovation manager for the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, said: “OION and Oxford Early Investments offer a unique and compelling service to early stage and growing companies, many of which are attracted to Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. The combination of sponsors offering access to research, facilities and business support services and investors offering funding and experience provides these businesses with a stable platform for the next phase of their development. We are looking forward to working with the investment networks.”
Tim Bestwick, director of innovation at the Science Technology & Facilities Council, said: “We’re really pleased that the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is developing this link with OION and Oxford Early Investments. There’s a good fit between the Campus, which supports the commercialisation of cutting edge research and development of spin-out companies and these Networks with their track record in helping technology companies to secure the equity investment that is so vital for their growth.”
The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus joins the existing sponsors of OION and Oxford Early Investments who include Laytons, Marks & Clerk, Manches, Dehns and Richardsons.