The boom in the Oxford cluster

With our base at the heart of Oxford, between the Engineering Department and the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, we are privileged to operate in one of the great knowledge clusters of the world. The University of Oxford has been ranked the #1 research university in the world every year since 2017, including again in 2024. Anyone trying to drive into Oxford will suffer the terrible traffic, but also marvel at the scale of construction in the city, which includes a revamped railway station close to the Saïd Business School, a new science park at Oxford North, new science buildings, offices and much needed residential accommodation. The Ellison Institute of Technology recently chose Oxford as the home to their state-of-the-art science park and accelerator, further advancing the Oxford technology ecosystem for years to come.

Oxford’s strategic location within the UK provides significant benefits for startups and investors. Situated approximately 56 miles northwest of London, it is well-connected to major UK cities such as Birmingham and Bristol (61 miles northeast), further enhancing its appeal as a hub for business and innovation. This connectivity allows Oxford to serve as a bridge between major business centers, offering startups the advantage of accessing a broader network of clients, investors, and partners. The city’s central position within the UK’s “Golden Triangle,” which includes London and Cambridge, enhances its role in fostering collaboration and innovation across these key regions.

Oxford offers unique advantages that distinguish it from other global innovation hubs. The city is home to world-leading research institutions, including the University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes University, which contribute to a high concentration of talent and cutting-edge research.

Since 2017, there have been 120 spinouts from the University, more than in the previous 65 years since the first one in 1959. These companies are addressing many of the world’s great challenges in health, climate, computing, and energy.

We are proud to play a small role in this great cluster as an investor, an employer, and a champion. We have backed many spinouts over the past 25 years and supported many founders who are Oxford alumni, academics, and local talent. We remain committed to many more years of support for Oxford’s innovation economy and to extend this reach as we continue to back ambitious founders across the UK and support the growth of their companies.