Innovation is the lifeblood of Oxfordshire. Birthplace of the British motor car industry and scores of spin-outs from its world-class research establishments and major industrial firms, the county’s track record of generating innovative companies is among the best in the world.

Oxford University’s first spin-out, Oxford Instruments, founded by Sir Martin and Lady Wood, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

More than any other individuals, the Woods have had the most remarkable impact on Oxfordshire’s entrepreneurial culture, and set the mould for future generations of innovators who are generating employment and wealth for our region and beyond.

Milton Park is home to many of these trailblazing individuals and firms. Today, the Innovation Centre at the park (pictured below) will host a visit by Lord Drayson, Minister for Science and Innovation, who will mark the role it is playing in supporting innovative start-ups.

Oxfordshire’s research base and innovation support structure has gone from strength to strength. Oxford University remains one of the world’s premier research institutions, with a higher research budget of almost £390m in 2007/08, and more world-leading academics than any other UK university.

Its technology transfer company, Isis Innovation, has created 58 spin-outs in the past ten years.

Oxford Brookes University also enjoys an enviable reputation for its provision of training and education based on industry needs, particularly in automotive, engineering, biotechnology and healthcare.

At Begbroke Science Park, world-class scientists work alongside colleagues from industry to translate research in advanced engineering and materials into commercial ventures.

In southern Oxfordshire, the Diamond Synchrotron facility is the spectacular symbol of the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, representing a £500m investment in new science and business facilities, and within a few miles are the Culham Science Centre, home to the world’s largest fusion experimental facility, and theRutherford Appleton Laboratory, with STFC Innovations, its knowledge transfer arm.

Funding and flexible premises are crucial to the survival and growth of new companies and in Oxfordshire there is a good supply of both.

Sources include Oxford Investment Opportunity Network, which has helped about 70 companies raise more than £12m during the past five years, Oxford VCT, Oxford Capital Partners and Oxford Ventures Group.

The latest arrival on the scene is Rockley Group, set up by Dr Andrew Rickman, founder of optical components giant, Bookham.

Rockley invests in and manages a portfolio of high growth companies and is raising a £60m million fund to invest in technology firms serving the Chinese market.

Across the county, six innovation centres run by Oxford Innovation provide premises on flexible terms to more than 200 innovative start-ups.

The Oxford Science Park offers facilities for larger science companies while Milton Park has built a reputation for working with companies to foster their growth and for its added value services.

During these difficult times, the ability to innovate is more important than ever. Since opening in December 2008, Milton Park innovation centre has attracted 30 innovative companies.

One of them, Claresys, is a spin-out company from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The company holds worldwide rights to several optical designs and is developing optical lens products for the civilian and commercial markets for uses such as surveillance and optical inspection.

Chief executive Andy McLeod said: “We chose to locate at the innovation centre because it offers flexibility — we can take the space we need depending on how our business model and the market progresses.

“For instance, we have already brought testing of lenses in-house, which has required us to double our floor space here.”

Meanwhile, Inngot has developed an innovative service enabling businesses to protect their intellectual property (IP) whilst also showcasing it to find customers, partners and investors.

Any kind of IP can be registered on the Inngot.com site and Inngot categorises and describes the business activities and IP without disclosing any trade secrets.

The IP owner can then use it to attract new business and development opportunities.

Chief executive Martin Brassell said: “Inngot is attracting a lot of attention within the innovation community, not least because our registration process helps companies understand the full range of intellectual assets they possess.

“Innovation Centres provide a great environment for growth-oriented early stage businesses. At Milton Park we have a convenient and prestigious location for our sales office that says something about our aspirations, but doesn’t cost the earth.”

This page is compiled by Oxford Innovation, www.oxin.co.uk