Business Support
From connecting you to the right people, reviewing your business strategy and signposting you to available investment, we’re here to help.
As well as incredible workspace, our mission is to help you grow with inclusive onsite business support. Whether you are just starting out, growing your business or an established company moving to the next level, our dedicated Innovation Director is there at every stage of your journey. From initial business planning to managing day-to-day operations and everything in between, our dedicated team of experts is here to help you succeed. We can also connect you with our community of like-minded entrepreneurs who share your passion and commitment to succeed, which means you have a network and support along the way. Your success is our priority – we’re here to support you at every step.
Connect, Innovate, and Grow with The Wire
Join an exclusive community platform for Oxford Innovation Space customers, teams, and trusted partners where you can:
- Discover strategic partners and collaboration opportunities across the network
- Attend webinars, live streams, and masterclasses by industry leaders
- Showcase your business and increase visibility
- Connect with like-minded people in chat rooms, interest groups, and cross-centre networking
- Tap into expert business support, playbooks, and resources
Business Development Tools
When you join The EpiCentre, you'll gain access to a wide range of tools and services to help your business achieve its goals.
GROWTHmapper™
Oxford Innovation has developed GROWTHmapper™ to help high growth businesses achieve their ambitions. This digital diagnostic tool consolidates over 20 years’ experience of nurturing successful high growth businesses and is used to model your business across multiple areas for future strategic growth.
Google for Startups Cloud Program
Microsoft – Accelerating Startups & Scaleups
We partner with Microsoft to support software companies through comprehensive Cloud solutions, including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure. Startups gain access to go-to-market channels and transformative digital tools.
Dell for Startups Access
Dell provides EpiCentre customers with exclusive discounts, technical advisory services, and comprehensive end-to-end support, along with speaking opportunities and event access.
Oxford Innovation Finance Angel Network
We offer access to one of the UK’s largest and oldest Angel Investment Networks, helping businesses secure vital funding for their next growth phase.
GrantFinder
GrantFinder provides comprehensive access to local, national, and international funding opportunities, ensuring you stay ahead in securing financial support.
Barclays Eagle Labs
Partnering with Barclays, we bring Eagle Labs currently to three of our centres, offering expert mentorship, industry insight, and investor access to accelerate startup growth.
Expert support across every business function.
GrowthCanvas
GrowthCanvas is an AI-powered platform that quickly generates tailored growth insights and action plans for SMEs. It helps businesses make smarter decisions faster by turning complex data into clear, practical recommendations.
Leading Edge Only
Oxford Innovation Space has an exciting partnership with Leading Edge Only (LEO), the world’s largest Global Innovation Platform. Operating in over 120 countries, LEO connects innovative fast-growth start-ups & scale-ups to corporations seeking the latest innovative technologies, products, services or expertise – corporates such as IBM, Fujitsu & Walgreens Boots Alliance.
This is a free service for those customers who are seeking to get their solutions and expertise in-front of major corporations.
How your membership unlocks expert support
Hear from Neil Griffin, Business Support Director at Oxford Innovation Space, explaining the business support you receive as part of your membership.
“
Gary has a real skill for asking the right questions at the right time. He encourages you to reflect without any pressure or judgment. Because of this, I came away with a much clearer understanding of my USP, more confidence in articulating my value, and a stronger sense of how I can develop and scale my business from here. Above all, Gary is kind, generous with his knowledge, and deeply invested in helping people succeed.”
Alicia Williams The Social Mastery Co.
Antler: The PropTech Incubator
Test, prove and scale your property technology in real buildings
Antler is Oxford Innovation Space’s PropTech incubator, helping start-ups and scale-ups pilot, refine and commercialise new property technologies in real-world environments. The programme connects innovators working on smart buildings, sustainability, energy efficiency and carbon reduction with live buildings, expert feedback and collaboration opportunities.
Ready to put your technology to the test? Get in touch to explore whether Antler is right for your business.
Access to Tools
GROWTHmapper™
Oxford Innovation has developed GROWTHmapper™ to help high growth businesses achieve their ambitions. This digital diagnostic tool consolidates over 20 years’ experience of nurturing successful high growth businesses and is used to model your business across multiple areas for future strategic growth.
Beauhurst
Beauhurst is a searchable database of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses, along with the funds and accelerators that back them.
Oxford Innovation Space has a subscription to the Beauhurst platform, which allows us to track 32,000+ companies across the country, from early-stage start-ups to established scaleups.
Using Beauhurst we can find comprehensive information on sources of funding and grants.
Leading Edge Only
Oxford Innovation Space has an exciting partnership with Leading Edge Only (LEO), the world’s largest Global Innovation Platform. Operating in over 120 countries, LEO connects innovative fast-growth start-ups & scale-ups to corporations seeking the latest innovative technologies, products, services or expertise – corporates such as IBM, Fujitsu & Walgreens Boots Alliance.
This is a free service for those customers who are seeking to get their solutions and expertise in-front of major corporations.
Microsoft
Oxford Innovation Space have partner with Microsoft to support software companies through comprehensive Cloud solutions, including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure. Startups gain access to go-to-market channels and transformative digital tools.
AWS
Oxford Innovation Space is one of 160 official Amazon Web Service Partners worldwide, which means that you may be able to benefit from free support packages. This can include up to $25,000 of AWS credits.
Support for Start-ups
For start-ups and early-stage businesses, The EpiCentre is the place to be.
Being an expert in your field doesn’t necessarily mean you’re an expert in business. That’s where we come in. Our business support team provides free, personalised 1-2-1 business coaching to help you turn your ideas into a lucrative venture. We’ll help you with strategic business planning. marketing strategy, financial planning – including raising investment – and all the essential elements needed to get your business off the ground.
Accelerate Business Growth
Ready to scale up your business? Expand your team and find new avenues for growth with the support of our experienced business strategists.
Get Connected
Being part of The EpiCentre means you can tap into our wider network, which has big benefits for your business.
You’ll be invited to events and development sessions run in-house and by our partners, and you’ll get fast-tracked introductions to companies you want to connect with, because we know them already. Working together really does make great things happen.
There’s more – if Gary can’t help, he can facilitate access to our network of innovation directors, all of whom have different skills and experience, so there’s bound to be someone that can help with a particular challenge or question.
Growth Accelerators
At the EpiCentre, we’re dedicated to helping innovative businesses thrive. Our Growth Fund Programme offer a comprehensive approach to scaling your business, whether you’re seeking funding, space, or expert support.
With two unique options to suit your business —the EpiFund to work towards applying for Angel Investment and EpiBoost for cash injections and tailored business support—you’ll have everything you need to take your venture to the next level.
Meet our Innovation Director
Frequently asked questions
Is Business Support included for companies at The EpiCentre?
Yes. Companies based at The EpiCentre have access on-site Business Support as part of the package. That includes one-to-one support from the Innovation Director, help with business strategy, introductions to useful contacts, and access to Oxford Innovation tools and networks such as The Wire, GROWTHmapper™, GrowthCanvas and GrantFinder.
We do not charge for the expert Business Support we offer. It is included, is not limited, and we do not charge for deeper support. The EpiCentre is more than just office space, labs and amenities; it is the full package including hands-on support.
Our Innovation Director maintains a wide network across the region to help with connections and signposting, gives one-on-one support through to running workshops and keeps knowledge and skills updated to ensure you get the latest and best advice possible. We don’t pretend to know everything which is why we have a wide net of specialist contacts who can help too.
Who is the Business Support for?
Business Support is relevant to all companies, irrespective of age, size and sector. Whether you are an early-stage founder, growing SME, established business, innovation-led company or tech-based, our Innovation Director is here to support you.
What sort of problems can business support help with?
Businesses don’t need basic generic advice. They need help with the real things that slow them down. That might be unclear strategy, weak sales follow-up, patchy marketing, lack of focus, uncertainty over funding options or being busy but not really growing. The EpiCentre’s Business Support is practical, not theory.
Can The EpiCentre help me sharpen my business strategy, sales and marketing?
Yes. The EpiCentre’s Innovation Director is a business owner too, so gives real-world support with all elements of your business. Getting clarity on issues and solutions is one of the keys to moving forwards with your SME.
Can Business Support help me prepare for investment in future?
Yes – if investment is part of your growth plan, we will be your friendly critic to help you get ready. This may mean working on your GEO so you can be found by investors, deciding the best funding options, building a clearer story around your market, traction, business model, use of funds and ability to deliver. Our Innovation Director can work with you on pitch refinement, investor readiness and due diligence preparation, which strengthens your approach to investors.
I have built a technically strong solution. Can business support help with the commercial side?
Yes. Innovative tech businesses can struggle not because the product is weak, but because the route to market is unclear. Business Support can help translate innovation into a stronger commercial plan, clearer customer messaging, and a better understanding of who buys, why they buy, and what proof they need before saying yes.
Can support help me work out whether there is a real market for what I do?
Yes. One of the most valuable forms of support is pressure-testing demand before you over-commit time or money. That means looking at the problem you solve, how urgent it is, who feels the pain most, the cost verses value to customers, and if they will pay. The goal is to replace guesswork with evidence.
I feel like everything in the business still depends on me. Is that normal?
Yes. It is common, especially in young businesses, but it is not sustainable over the long term. A business becomes stronger when sales, delivery and decision-making are not all trapped in the founder’s head. Our Innovation Director can help you with structure, processes and flow to reduce over-reliance on one person.
Can The EpiCentre support science and technology businesses as well as general SMEs?
Yes. The EpiCentre’s Innovation Director, along with the Laboratory Supervisor support a mix of businesses including life sciences, healthtech, bioscience, medtech, agritech and scitech start-ups and scale-ups. We work with diverse sectors including software, gaming, business services and care-related businesses. Our space is relevant to both commercial and R&D-led companies, regardless of size and stage.
Is an innovation centre different from a standard serviced office?
Yes. A standard serviced office usually gives you space, facilities and flexibility. An innovation centre does more. The EpiCentre has Business Support is it’s heart, so there is no limit to what you can achieve. We don’t limit or charge for our on-site Innovation Director to work with you, whether you need traditional support, introductions, tools, or access to a wider network.
How do I get the best value from business support?
Our Innovation Director will help unearth any issues, giving you clarity on what the real question is, getting rid of that vague sense that something is off. Be open to challenge, act on advice, and use The EpiCentre’s Business Support early rather than waiting for a crisis. Our recent national survey found that businesses that engaged with support reported better outcomes and stronger satisfaction.
Why should I trust the business support at The EpiCentre?
There are strong trust signals. Gary Jennings is Innovation Director at The EpiCentre Haverhill. He has run his own SME since 2003 and worked in senior roles across global organisations. The EpiCentre’s five-year impact report evidences support for 172 companies, helped secure £150m in grants and investment, and delivered over 2,000 hours of business support.
In addition, The EpiCentre is managed by Oxford Innovation Space who are part of the SQW Group , which also includes Oxford Innovation Finance and Oxford Innovation Advice.
Being part of the Oxford Innovation network means that we can offer our entrepreneurs a range of connections, knowledge and infrastructure, and countless opportunities to help you achieve your goals.
- Founded by The Oxford Trust to provide support to science, technology, and knowledge-led early-stage companies
- The largest operator of innovation centres in the UK – we have 35 years of experience of running spaces and places to support SMEs and entrepreneurs
- Our clients are universities, research and major science site owners, public sector, private investors and charities
- We deliver a range of objectives: support to high-growth SMEs and spin outs, on-going revenue and financial sustainability, economic development, jobs growth, profile, and business engagement
- Access to Beauhurst – a searchable database of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses
- One of the largest Angel Investment Networks in the UK
- Access to active investors who can add value to early-stage companies, in addition to capital
- Seven investment showcase events every year so that selected companies can meet potential investors
- Access to support and tools from Oxford Innovation Finance
Ready to grow your business?
Be at the centre of an inspiring and ambitious science and technology community. Be at The EpiCentre.