Business Support
Whether you’ve just started out or you're busy creating change, we are here to support you.
By joining our community, you get more than just office space. Our creatives have on-demand access to a dedicated network of like-minded entrepreneurs, plus a forward-thinking business support team who will be part of your journey as you grow and create change. Tap into expert support on operational matters, business planning, sales and growth tactics with the resources and know-how of our expert network.
HANDS-ON SUPPORT, AS YOU NEED IT
From questions on day-to-day running and strategic decision making, through to introductions to potential clients or getting support from experts, we give you hands-on business support – as and when you need it.
- Strategic growth planning
- 1-2-1 bespoke business coaching
- Events, workshops, and masterclasses
- Help with your marketing strategy
- Financial planning and accessing funding
- Leadership and management skills
Business support with our experienced mentor
Darren has a wealth of business experience, running his own international primary education business for almost 20 years before taking on roles that saw him providing support and mentoring to new start-ups and early stage businesses. His appointment has been described as a ‘gamechanger’ for Vulcan Works.
Darren is most looking forward to bringing the community to life and providing further support through organising networking events and workshops and training.
Learn more about Vulcan Creatives Programme.
Get ready to soar at Vulcan Works
We’ve teamed up with Barclays to provide the ultimate start-up support system and bring one of their acclaimed Eagle Labs incubators to Northampton – and they are nesting right here at Vulcan Works.
With the backing of Barclays and its industry expertise available in-house, we’re able to provide start-ups with even more comprehensive support and make a real impact to the growth trajectory of young businesses. Coupled with the guidance and know-how of Vulcan Works Business Growth Manager, Darren Smith, this innovative new partnership gives entrepreneurs unprecedented access to industry experts, mentors, growth programmes, workshops, investors, and funding streams.
INSPIRING EVENTS & MASTERCLASSES
Our packed programme of inspiring events, business growth workshops, and innovation showcases is perfect for those businesses that are serious about innovation, creativity and scaling-up.
Our knowledge is your knowledge, and our on-going calendar of events and growth opportunities will enable you to level up in the areas of business you’re keen to explore – freeing you up to be the master of your craft.
BRING YOUR BUSINESS IDEA TO LIFE WITH VULCAN CREATIVES
A free six-month cohort programme designed exclusively for local visionaries like you.
Get free co-working space, bespoke 1-2-1 support, events, masterclasses and access to our exclusive Vulcan Creatives Lift Off Grant Scheme of up to £1000.
GROWING YOUR CONNECTIONS
It’s not just the place, it’s the people, and at Vulcan Works you’ll be in good company.
Meet potential clients and collaborators in this vibrant business hub, where innovation meets inspiration. Rub shoulders with like-minded creatives and forge new connections with businesses and trailblazers that are just on your wavelength.
Plus, benefit from the wider connections with our neighbours and partners. Meet experts and like-minded personalities in Northampton’s dynamic Cultural Quarter – home of the Northampton Museum & Art Gallery and the University of Northampton Waterside Campus – and link up with inspiring creatives from our network of 27+ innovation centres across the UK.
“We are building a community for driven freelancers, creatives, and small businesses who want to do their thing and grow whilst working in a beautiful space with good company.”
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 Vulcan Works, 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
The Vulcan Works customers benefit from Google’s startup support, including mentoring, event sponsorships, and tailored cloud solutions to help founders navigate growth in the digital age.
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 – 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 Vulcan Works 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 over 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
THERE IS AN INSPIRING AND INFINITE FUTURE IN THE COMMUNITY WE BUILD IN THESE WALLS.
