Oxford Innovation expands services to help small businesses get into Europe

Oxford Innovation has joined the Enterprise Europe Network – the world’s largest network of 600 business support organisations that specialise in helping companies to grow through innovation, access to finance and internationalisation support.

As a result, small businesses in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley can now access additional services from Oxford Innovation’s advisers ranging from support with accessing sources of European funding and securing international business partners, to sourcing and licensing of new technologies.

The new services are an expansion of Oxford Innovation’s support services for start-ups and growing businesses. Oxford Innovation already provides business planning and coaching support under the Growth Accelerator service for ambitious, high growth businesses across the southern region. The company also manages three business angel investment networks including the European leader, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network.

Oxford Innovation also runs a network of 21 business and innovation centres used by over 500 businesses, including seven centres in Oxfordshire and the Bracknell Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Bracknell town centre.

Triin Udris has joined Oxford Innovation’s business growth services team as Enterprise Europe Network project manager to lead the delivery of the new European services for small firms.

Triin Udris brings an extensive network of European contacts as well as substantial experience in supporting companies from a range of sectors to enter foreign markets and to find international business partners. Most recently, she worked as project manager of the Enterprise Europe Network in Estonia, based in Tallinn.

Ms Udris said: “There are plenty of opportunities for small businesses in Europe but they can find entering foreign markets daunting simply because of lack of relevant contacts, and not knowing how to access financial support and networks. Through the Enterprise Europe Network, we can support the companies in their endeavours. The Network is made up of 3,000 experts spanning 53 countries and provides instant access to markets and support.

“Our services are tailored to meet the needs of individual businesses. We can advise companies on how to access various sources of European public funding and private financing for business development and expansion. We can also connect technologies and R&D activities with international partners and help companies find new technologies and solutions to development problems. Companies can access a database of more than 23,000 profiles of foreign companies looking for business partners and participate in international ‘business speed dating’ events – all designed to make entering new markets quicker and easier.

“I look forward to hearing from businesses in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley who are interested in exploring how we can support their growth.”

Linda Russell, director of Reading based cosmetic company, JooMo, has signed up as one of the Network’s first clients. JooMo prides itself on creating truly natural cosmetics including the word’s first truly natural face wash.

Mrs Russell commented: “We wanted to expand into European and international markets and UKTI put us in touch with Triin Udris at Enterprise Europe Network in Oxford. We have been very impressed with their services, both in terms of their ability to put us directly in contact with suitable distribution partners in a whole range of countries, and also their extremely helpful, constructive and knowledgeable approach to introducing our product into new markets.”

Don McLaverty, managing director of Oxford Innovation’s business growth services division, added: “We are delighted to join the Enterprise Europe Network and to be providing focused services for businesses seeking to access European funding and enter international markets. Oxford Innovation has a strong track record in business growth coaching and innovation support, with a team of dedicated professionals who are familiar with European issues, so this is a natural expansion of our existing services.”

Companies wishing to find out more about the European services on offer should contact Triin Udris, Enterprise Europe Network project manager at Oxford Innovation, on Tel: 01865 261480; Mobile: 07747 273 826; email: t.udris@oxin.co.uk

Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow.

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

2016-09-24T12:44:28+01:00

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-is-becoming-a-hot-bed-for-new-and-existing-businesses-that-want-to-grow/

Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

2016-12-06T14:46:03+00:00

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/membership-bicester-vision-provided-best-possible-conduit-military/

Being a member enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses

“Chiltern Railways provides fast, frequent train services from Bicester North station and the newly opened Bicester Village station to London, Birmingham, Oxford and key locations in between. Being a member of Bicester Vision enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses and helps us to shape our future growth strategy.”

Stephen Barker, Chiltern Railways

2016-12-07T09:04:34+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/member-enables-us-build-close-understanding-needs-local-businesses/

We have a profound interest in the progress of the Town

“The Bicester Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Vision have a profound interest in the progress of the Town and understand that in some circumstances the continual increase in the numbers of houses and businesses will cause disquiet, to individuals and existing business alike. Change is always with us, and both the “Chamber” and “Vision” endeavour to keep the standards from the past while facing, and working, with the challenges of the future.”

Peter Cox, Chairman of Bicester Chamber

2016-12-07T09:07:17+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-chamber-commerce-bicester-vision-profound-interest-progress-town/

The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."

Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

2016-12-07T09:10:34+00:00

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/primary-objective-bicester-vision-provide-opportunities-job-creation/

The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."

Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

2016-12-07T09:30:32+00:00

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/county-council-key-partner-delivering-infrastructure-housing-employment-growth-bicester/

Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception

"Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception and are pleased to be able to work alongside the business community and all tiers of local government to make Bicester the ‘go to’ place for business opportunity."

Sue Mackrell, Bicester Town Council

2016-12-07T09:44:43+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-town-council-part-bicester-vision-since-inception/

Through our work with Bicester Vision we are able identify the development needs of the town

“Ziran Land and its predecessor Stockdale Land has found that working closely with the business community of Bicester has enabled us to successfully develop Pioneer Square Shopping Centre and now to develop Franklin House, which was completed in 2016. The growth of Bicester enables us, through our work with Bicester Vision, to identify the business, retail and leisure development needs of the town and to work closely with the business community to provide these.”

John Liggins, Managing Director, Ziran Land Limited

2016-12-07T09:47:00+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/work-bicester-vision-able-identify-development-needs-town/

Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."

Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

2016-12-07T09:49:31+00:00

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-vision-effective-way-interested-parties-collaborate/