Thames Valley: Oxford Innovation expands services to help small businesses get into Europe

Oxford Innovation has joined the Enterprise Europe Network – the world’s largest network of 600 business support organisations that specialise in helping companies to grow through innovation, access to finance and internationalisation support. 

As a result, small businesses in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley can now access additional services from Oxford Innovation’s advisers ranging from support with accessing sources of European funding and securing international business partners, to sourcing and licensing of new technologies.

The new services are an expansion of Oxford Innovation’s support services for start-ups and growing businesses. Oxford Innovation already provides business planning and coaching support under the Growth Accelerator service for ambitious, high growth businesses across the southern region. The company also manages three business angel investment networks including the European leader, Oxford Investment Opportunity Network.

Oxford Innovation also runs a network of 21 business and innovation centres used by over 500 businesses, including seven centres in Oxfordshire and the Bracknell Enterprise and Innovation Hub in Bracknell town centre.

Triin Udris has joined Oxford Innovation’s business growth services team as Enterprise Europe Network project manager to lead the delivery of the new European services for small firms. Udris previously worked as project manager of the Enterprise Europe Network in Estonia, based in Tallinn.

She said: “There are plenty of opportunities for small businesses in Europe but they can find entering foreign markets daunting simply because of lack of relevant contacts, and not knowing how to access financial support and networks. Through the Enterprise Europe Network, we can support the companies in their endeavours. The Network is made up of 3,000 experts spanning 53 countries and provides instant access to markets and support.

“Our services are tailored to meet the needs of individual businesses. We can advise companies on how to access various sources of European public funding and private financing for business development and expansion. We can also connect technologies and R&D activities with international partners and help companies find new technologies and solutions to development problems. Companies can access a database of more than 23,000 profiles of foreign companies looking for business partners and participate in international ‘business speed dating’ events – all designed to make entering new markets quicker and easier.

“I look forward to hearing from businesses in Oxfordshire and the Thames Valley who are interested in exploring how we can support their growth.”

Linda Russell, director of Reading based cosmetic company, JooMo, has signed up as one of the Network’s first clients. JooMo prides itself on creating truly natural cosmetics including the word’s first truly natural face wash.

Mrs Russell commented: “We wanted to expand into European and international markets and UKTI put us in touch with Triin Udris at Enterprise Europe Network in Oxford. We have been very impressed with their services, both in terms of their ability to put us directly in contact with suitable distribution partners in a whole range of countries, and also their extremely helpful, constructive and knowledgeable approach to introducing our product into new markets.”

Don McLaverty, managing director of Oxford Innovation’s business growth services division, added: “We are delighted to join the Enterprise Europe Network and to be providing focused services for businesses seeking to access European funding and enter international markets. Oxford Innovation has a strong track record in business growth coaching and innovation support, with a team of dedicated professionals who are familiar with European issues, so this is a natural expansion of our existing services.”