Business competition launched to celebrate 30th anniversary

Culham Innovation Centre is helping to find the next Scale-up Star of the Future. A nationwide competition has been launched by Oxford Innovation, who manage this centre, to mark their 30th anniversary of supporting ambitious businesses across the UK. 

The nationwide competition has been created to identify the next generation of high-growth businesses. The winners can choose a tailored package in-line with their requirements and what support is needed. The unique offering includes:

• private/shared/lab/virtual workspace up to the value of £5,000 (offering current Culham Innovation Centre customers a discount on their existing tenancy)
• business coaching which will be delivered locally by expert consultants who are part of the Oxford Innovation network
• and opportunity to pitch to investors.

Any SME registered in the UK is eligible to apply no matter what stage they are at. Dianne Heath, Centre Director said: “There are a number of exciting small businesses in this area with growth potential and it really would be fantastic to see home-grown talent in the top three of the Scale-up Stars of the Future competition. I’d strongly urge people who are looking to scale-up their business to enter to benefit from professional support and Oxford Innovation’s 30 years of supporting business growth.”

Oxford Innovation has helped over 10,000 SMEs to become sustainable businesses since renowned entrepreneurs, Martin and Audrey Wood, founded the company in 1987.  The husband and wife team also co-founded Oxford Instruments and The Oxford Trust.

According to a report* from innovation foundation, NESTA, just 6% of high growth companies generated over half of the UK’s employment growth.

Dianne Heath added: “We’re excited to discover the next generation of scale-up stars who will create jobs and help to strengthen the economy in this area in addition to ensuring the UK is at the forefront of innovation.”

To enter the Scale-up Stars of the Future competition, businesses are required to complete an online application form and submit a short three-minute video summarising the business, innovation, growth plans and how you could benefit from Oxford Innovation’s support.  The deadline for entry is 1 September 2017. 

To enter or find out more, please visit www.oxin.co.uk

* NESTA report that looks at the role of fast-growth companies in the UK