The founder of Rideo Systems, Dr Paul Apte, tells how his technology business has benefited from having a prestigious address at Culham Science Centre and reveals his future plans.
My Oxford Innovation journey
“I spent 15 years working for large companies such as Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Exitech Ltd where I developed many new product innovations. I decided to take the plunge to start-up my own business in 2003 to become a consultant, designer and developer on a somewhat smaller scale. I specialise in laser-based equipment for Laser Micromachining and Photonics applications working across a range of markets including electronics, semiconductors, digital holography, biomedical devices and laser instrumentation.
Living in Oxford, I had the option to go north or south and chose Cherwell Innovation Centre, part of the Oxford Innovation network of centres, near Bicester. However, South Oxfordshire became a better location for business development with so many technology businesses based in the district with close access to London too. In 2013 I moved to Culham Innovation Centre located at the prestigious Culham Science Centre. One of my clients, Tokamak Energy, also happened to be based at the centre. In fact, I helped the founding managing director, David Kingham, to build one of the world’s first compact tabletop Tokamaks.
Soon after moving to the centre, I transformed my office space into a development lab to support my business needs and the space now operates as both with plans already in motion to create a separate demonstration lab next year. Culham Innovation Centre has provided me with a fantastic community both within the centre and the wider site with an overlap of long-term residents. The site is extremely secure, so I have no worry about leaving valuable equipment here and the centre team are very accommodating and flexible. The innovation centre offers a professional address, nice meeting rooms and a big company feel. This is important to the development of my new venture.