The deal is intended to boost  links between high growth companies, investors and research organisations in Oxfordshire. The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is being developed into one of the world’s leading locations for scientific, academic and business collaboration through a joint venture between global property group Goodman, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and the Science & Technology Facilities Council (one of the UK’s seven research councils). The campus is home to over 100 science and technology companies as well as the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility.

The sponsorship deal will see the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus provide support for the OION Network, which helps technology companies secure funding from £200,000 to £2 million, and its sister network, Oxford Early Investments (OEI), whose remit is early stage companies requiring proof of concept funding from £25,000 to £250,000.

The significant contribution the OION Network made to the growth of early stage businesses was also recognised with the award of Business Angel Network of the Year by the British Business Angels Association – seeing off competition from rivals including Angels Den, Envestors LLP, Central England Business Angels, Octopus Investor Group and South E

OION’s investor members invested nearly £1 million in 16 companies during the past financial year. This direct investment enabled the firms to leverage an additional £5 million of funding from other sources.