Welcome to January's Innovation Insights

Get ready to kick off the new year with a power-packed edition designed to fuel your business growth and success. Whether you’re a start-up founder, small business owner, or seasoned entrepreneur, this newsletter has something tailored just for you.

As we step into 2025, we’re here to equip you with the tools, insights, and inspiration to make this year your most successful yet. From dynamic workshops and events covering a wide range of essential business topics to uplifting success stories and case studies from our Innovation Centres, you’ll discover what’s possible when innovation takes the lead. We hope you find this newsletter both informative and inspiring—and don’t forget to share your own successes with us!

Here’s to a year of bold moves, smart strategies, and innovative breakthroughs. Let’s dive in!

News & Updates

Barclays Eagle Labs Academy - a?Digital Learning Platform to Help Founders Start or Scale Their Business

Eagle Labs Academy equips founders with the knowledge and skills they need to launch and grow a tech business. With courses on everything from funding to team building, marketing to management, it's built to help you succeed. Courses include:

• Starting your business -?All great businesses started as an idea. But ideas only become successful businesses when they’re commercially viable, profitable and sustainable.
• Leadership and management -?How do you build a dynamic and agile team? This course covers how to develop a people strategy, when to make your first hire and where to find the support you need to lead your business.
• Scaling and growth -?Ready to leap from startup to scaleup? In this course you'll learn about preparing to grow, how to scale your sales and marketing and the value of continuous product development and innovation.

Find out more here >>

How a Serviced Office or Lab Environment Helps Navigate the VUCA World

Operating in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA) world requires agility, adaptability, and resilience. A serviced office or lab environment provides a dynamic solution for businesses and professionals looking to thrive in such conditions. Read this?insightful piece from the Heyford Park Innovation Centre team on why serviced offices are a strategic ally for businesses facing unpredictability. ?

Read more?here?>>

Oxford Brookes Scale Up Network for Oxfordshire Bioscience SMEs

Applications are now open for Oxford Brookes Scale Up Network, starting Tuesday, March 18 2025 and available for Oxfordshire-based Bioscience SMEs. The peer-to-peer network brings together like-minded businesses to support one another in addressing the challenges and opportunities they face in the current climate. Use the peer network to help overcome challenges or implement change in your business whilst building a trusted network of connections to support you now and in the future.

Read more?here?>>

OxLEP Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards

Each year, OxLEP celebrate apprentices, employers, training providers and skills champions through the Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards.?The Oxfordshire Apprenticeship Awards 2025 are now open for entries and nominations until midnight on the evening of Monday 24 February 2025. The categories are judged and awarded by sponsoring organisations. The?headline sponsor – The Hill Group – will be selecting the overall Oxfordshire Apprentice of the Year from the winners of the five apprentice awards.

Read more?here?>>

Get Your Business MOJO Back in 2025 with Free Business Coaching

OxLEP Business is offering all businesses in West Oxfordshire and Cherwell up to 30 hours of business advice, peer support, mentoring and coaching for the first few months of 2025 to get your business MOJO back. This business coaching offering is being delivered as part of the Cherwell and West Accelerator Programme to support businesses. ?It is a time-limited opportunity (only available until mid-Feb 2025) to get expert help with masterclasses, leadership development training, facilitated peer support and one-to-one coaching; all tailored to your business needs.

Read more?here?>>

Events

OI Sessions: Unlock Funding Opportunities with Barclays Demo Directory

22nd?January, 11:00 - 13:00

Online

In partnership with Barclays Eagle Labs, we’re excited to present an exclusive session about the Barclays Demo Directory, a platform connecting ambitious founders with a diverse network of attested investors, from angels to venture capitalists. What to Expect:

• Learn how the Demo Directory works and how you can showcase your business to attract investors.
• Hear success stories from founders who’ve used the platform.
• Discover key insights about investor engagement and the latest funding trends.
• Network with like-minded entrepreneurs and industry leaders in the Oxfordshire startup ecosystem.

Whether you’re new to fundraising or a seasoned entrepreneur, this session will provide actionable insights to enhance your capital-raising journey.

Find out more here >>

CONEXEN Oxford

29th?January, 18:00 - 20:30

Grassroots Workspace

Welcome to CONEXEN Oxford – a warm and welcoming hub for professionals in pharma, biotech, life sciences, and health tech in Oxford! Here, we invite you to join us for an informal and friendly gathering where connections are made, knowledge is shared, and friendships are formed. Come with an open heart and a willingness to “listen” rather than “sell.” We will be hosting our next Oxford event at Grassroots Workspace. Our events are run in a casual setting where we can come together, exchange greetings, engage in conversation and simply enjoy a pleasant time.

Register here >>

OxLEP Start-Up Club - Bootcamps

15th, 22nd & 29th?January, 17:00 - 19:00

Online

For start-ups and early-stage entrepreneurs - this bootcamp is designed to encourage businesses to focus on the fundamentals of a successful business and develop a viable, successful and sustainable business. Three intense sessions, each delivered by one of our experienced business experts, providing practical content to help you learn and make progress, alongside a group of supportive peers. You will finish the Bootcamp with a clear plan on how to move your business forward and reach your next milestone.

Reserve your spot for Session 1?here >>

Mathys & Squire | Freeths: Free Legal Clinic

28th January, 12:00-16:00

Witney Business and Innovation Centre

Neglecting intellectual property (IP) protection can leave your business exposed to copycats, legal disputes, and even hinder your company’s growth potential. Take proactive steps to secure your IP and strengthen your business foundation. Join us at WBIC for an?IP Consultation with Jessie Harrison from Mathys & Squire and?Legal Guidance for Scaling with Malin from Freeths.

Find out more here >>

NHS Procurement and Sales Training

5th February

Online

We designed our Selling to the NHS – NHS Procurement and Sales Training in response to the frequent inquiries from tech companies with regards to how to sell their products and services into the NHS.?

You'll learn all aspects of the NHS procurement pathway, from contracting with the NHS, to routes to compliant procurement and learning how to create a business case. If you're looking to get your digital innovation into the NHS in 2025, this could be the workshop for you!

Reserve your spot here >>

Upgrade your business location

Do you know of someone looking for office space or coworking space? Introduce us to them and if they take an office space in one of our centres then you will receive ￡200 worth of vouchers of ￡50 if they sign up for coworking. With over 32 locations your friends will have plenty to choose from! (T&Cs apply, see website for more info).

Fill in the referral form here >>