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.”

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