Trust will give start-up six months free office space
January 9, 2019
We are delighted to be supporting the latest cohort of innovative start-up companies in the Innovation Forum Oxford (IF-Oxford) accelerator programme, by offering the winner of their IMAGINE IF! competition up to six months of free office space. The space will be at one of our innovation centres – either the Oxford Centre for Innovation (OCFI) in the heart of the city or our new Wood Centre for Innovation (WCFI) in Headington.
Innovation Forum is a global network of forward-thinking scientists, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs and investors with 15 branches spread across three continents. As part of this international network, IF-Oxford is committed to accelerating the development of innovative technology by connecting these people with industry experts, clinicians and policy makers.
IMAGINE IF! is the Innovation Forum’s pre-accelerator competition for science-based ventures. It gives early-stage science start-ups the access and opportunities to transform a great idea into a successful start-up business. The program includes bespoke mentorship, the chance to secure non-dilutive capital, business development advice from leading professional services companies, and access to a global network of scientific innovators spread across the Innovation Forum network.
After a record-breaking number of applications, fourteen young businesses have been chosen to take part in the final of the competition. They are:
Adelie Health, Scout Health, Spectre Bio, Emendox Devices, Screen2Care, Imladris Technologies, HuCELL, Sociable Waiting in A&E, Oxford Neuro Technologies, Konis, Demoira Therapeutics, Inulox, Cutting Edge Healthcare Solutions and GeneOmics Solutions.
The finalists will now begin a program of bespoke mentorship from a team of IF Oxford Mentors to further develop their concept, business case, and pitch before the Oxford IMAGINE IF! final in February. The winning business will get six months free lab space at the Oxford BioEscalator and/or six months free office space at either OCFI or WCFI.
Oxford Trust CEO Steve Burgess said, “The Oxford Trust is committed to supporting innovation and we know how valuable it is to start-ups to have a base they can call home while they get established. Affordable and flexible office space in the city is hard to find so we are delighted to be able to offer some start-up space at no cost to the winner of the IMAGINE IF! competition.”
Mira Kassouf from the Innovation Forum said, “It goes without saying that the provision of a physical space – be it lab bench or office space – at no cost is invaluable for an early-stage startup in providing a secure base. But just as vital is the company of experts and like-minded innovators and entrepreneurs, an optimal supportive environment for an early-stage startup.”
