Culham Innovation Centre – a cornerstone of Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem – is celebrating its 25th anniversary this Spring. Since opening its doors in 2001, the Centre has supported more than 150 early stage businesses, helping to create over 600 high-value jobs and accelerating the development of pioneering technologies in fusion energy, Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics and life sciences.
Located at the heart of the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Culham Campus near Abingdon and operated by Oxford Innovation Space, the Culham Innovation Centre provides flexible office, laboratory and workshop space, alongside in house business support services to help entrepreneurs to start and scale their businesses.
A new impact report carried out by SQW has confirmed the exceptional performance of companies based at Culham Innovation Centre – underlining the Centre’s role as an important contributor to Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem and local economy.
Commissioned to mark the quarter-century milestone, the report found that businesses currently or previously located at the Centre collectively hold more than £80 million in assets and have far higher rates of patenting compared to the wider UK business population. They also significantly outperform national averages in raising growth capital, having collectively secured £254 million in external investment and £25 million in grants since 2010.
Jo Stevens, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Space, said:
“Celebrating 25 years of Culham Innovation Centre is a moment to recognise the extraordinary companies and individuals that have made this community what it is today. We are incredibly proud to have supported so many businesses to start-up, scale-up and bring pioneering ideas to life.
“The findings from this latest impact report demonstrates the distinctive and valuable role that the Culham Innovation Centre plays within Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem and reinforces Culham Campus’ position as a world-class environment for science and technology‑led businesses.”
Over its 25 year history, the centre has played a key role in strengthening the growth of the UK’s fusion supply chain. One of the Centre’s most prestigious graduates is Tokamak Energy. Since starting its journey at the centre in 2010, the company has become a global leader in fusion energy. Today, Tokamak Energy employs over 300 people, operates from two buildings at Milton Park and has offices in Japan and the United States.
David Kingham, Founder and Senior Advisor of Tokamak Energy, explains:
“We graduated from the Centre after three years and now, more than 10 years later, we employ over 300 people, nearly all in Oxfordshire. We wouldn’t be where we are now without the early-stage support we received. The Culham Innovation Centre helped us tap into available programmes and grants in addition to providing us with flexible space and in-house support.”
However, it is not just innovators in the fusion sector that are benefitting from the specialist support provided by the team at Culham. More recent success stories include molecular diagnostics company, GeneFirst, Luffy AI, Sigma Lithium and Active Needle.
Active Needle moved in to the Culham Innovation Centre in April 2016 and has seen significant growth ever since. Founded in January 2016, the medical device company uses innovative needle technology that enables needles to be more visible and precise in biopsies and drug delivery, while reducing pain for patients.
Through the Culham Innovation Centre, Oxford Innovation Space delivers a comprehensive package of flexible workspace, events, mentoring and business support designed to meet the complex and rapidly evolving needs of science and technology startups.
Oxford Innovation Space runs the UK’s largest network of innovation centres. Working closely with universities, local authorities, science parks, developers and investors, the company creates dynamic environments for entrepreneurs to innovate, collaborate, develop their technologies and grow their businesses.
To download the Culham Impact Report, visit https://www.culham-ic.co.uk/about-us/.
