A strong relationship between academic research organisations and technology companies is at the core of many of Oxfordshire's successful entrepreneurial ventures. The transfer of technology between academia and business is recognised as a major component in developing and sustaining the Oxfordshire science industry's cutting-edge products and services in the national and international marketplace.

This importance in knowledge transfer has prompted initiatives aimed at strengthening this relationship and these are being implemented in some of the county's business centres.

Oxford University's Begbroke Science Park is a good example of these initiatives in action.

It is an innovative centre that offers a space where entrepreneurs and scientists can work alongside each other in an environment that stimulates the creation of commercial opportunities from cutting edge research.

Under the direction of Professor Peter Dobson, the activities on the site provide an ideal environment for new companies to grow and for mature companies to seek advice from the academic community, through involvement in the interdisciplinary centres of technological excellence.

John Catling, chief executive of WheelRight, highlighted the association with Oxford University as being a key driver in the decision to move to the park.

The company focuses on the development of an automatic system to measure the tyre pressure, axle loading, weight and tread depth of any vehicle passing over it.

Mr Catling said: "The closeness to academic staff has enabled us to discuss ideas and we are hoping to continue to forge new relationships when the transport group of the Department of Engineering moves to the park."

Mr Catling believes that Begbroke is an excellent community to work in, with first-rate facilities and like-minded companies with a similar scientific focus in their business activities.

It is in this sort of dynamic environment that academic researchers and entrepreneurs can develop world-class research and products.

The recently expanded Centre for Innovation and Enterprise forms a vital hub for knowledge transfer at Begbroke and is managed in a pro-active way to suit company needs.

There are underlying themes of nanotechnology, environmental technology and energy research on the site and these are underpinned by the presence of experts in materials science with strong interdisciplinary track records and business experience.

One of the strengths of the centre is its proximity to several specialist facilities and networking centres that are also located at Begbroke.

There are world-class materials analysis facilities in the Department of Materials BegbrokeNano centre, which are convenient for companies engaged with the site and there is new interdisciplinary space available for companies to work with Oxford University in the Institute for Advanced Technology.

The IAT includes commercial research activities working across disciplines in the energy, nanotechnology, aerospace and automotive sectors.

Faraday Advance is one of the networking centres based at Begbroke and provides a range of research benefits for companies.

It works to increase the impact of science on UK business competitiveness in the automotive, aerospace and transport sectors by developing future materials for low-pollution, high-efficiency, cost-effective transport.

It provides a national focus for transport materials research, technology and development, with particular emphasis on future lightweight and high temperature materials for low pollution, high efficiency sustainable transport.

Benefits offered include Government funding sources that provide grants for basic university research, the Technology Programme which offers supporting costs for industrial development, and a variety of regional development agency and European Union schemes available for product development.

Dr Colin Johnston of Faraday Advance said: "The management overhead associated with preparing successful proposals for these opportunities, and the project management burden once successful projects are started, can be substantial and unattractive, especially for smaller companies who may have limited resources, or experience."

Faraday Advance can help bear much of the management burden and help smaller companies to access research funds.

There are many events held at Begbroke for companies and organisations that do not have their offices on site.

These take the form of seminars and workshops focusing on high technology contemporary issues such as nanotechnology, environmental technology, renewable energy and advanced aerospace materials.

Meetings are also held on business-related matters concerning intellectual property, fund-raising for businesses and project management.

o Contact: www.begbroke.ox.ac.uk and www.cie.ox.ac.uk o Page compiled by The Oxford Trust: www.oxtrust.org.uk