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Oxford Innovation appointed to manage Milton Park Innovation Centre

MEPC Milton Park, based in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, announced today that it is increasing its support for entrepreneurial technology start-ups by launching a new, purpose-built Innovation Centre providing high quality offices and business support for up to 60 small and growing companies. Due to open this autumn, the centre is part of a longer-term strategy to attract more high-growth companies to the park, particularly in the science and technology industries.

Companies that join the Milton Park Innovation Centre, which will be situated at number 99 Milton Park, will benefit from a range of state-of-the art offices on flexible terms, access to investment networks that match investors to businesses, mentoring and regular networking events.

MEPC Milton Park has appointed Oxford Innovation, the UK’s leading operator of innovation centres, to manage the new building. Oxford Innovation has an impressive track record and unique experience of nurturing technology businesses. It already supports more than 350 start-up companies; managing 13 other innovation centres from Portsmouth to South Yorkshire and offering business support services such as access to its business angel investment networks.

Construction has already started on the Milton Park Innovation Centre, which will comprise 39,000 sq ft over three floors, split between offices, meeting rooms and conference facilities. Flexibility has been a key consideration in the design of the new centre: the space can be let on flexible licence agreements in a range of unit sizes from 90 to 1,500 sq ft. Plans also include a ‘graduation centre’ alongside the building to provide grow-on space for businesses that need more than 1,500 sq ft of space.

James Dipple, Managing Director of MEPC Milton Park Ltd, said: “By their very nature, high-tech, high-growth businesses often look for substantial help in their early years – whether that’s funding, mentoring or simply needing flexible office space. Companies that join the Milton Park Innovation Centre will have access to a complete support package as well as benefiting from the perfect environment for collaboration and innovation with other science and technology companies.”

Dr David Kingham, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation, said: “Working with MEPC Milton Park, our aim is to develop a flagship Innovation Centre that will be a hub of entrepreneurial activity for early stage technology companies on Milton Park and provide added-value support to give them the best possible start.”

MEPC Milton Park, which at 250 acres is the largest of the eight business parks in MEPC’s portfolio, was founded by property entrepreneur and business angel, Ian Laing, with his business partner, Nick Cross.

Ian Laing said: “I welcome the development of Milton Park Innovation Centre. It will provide a focal point for early stage companies with high growth potential who will complement the established cluster of larger technology firms at Milton Park.”

Home to more than 6,500 employees, MEPC Milton Park is a vibrant business community that includes a wide range of organisations, from start-ups to major multi-nationals. With a high proportion of cutting-edge science and technology companies already on the park, occupiers of the Milton Park Innovation Centre will have the chance to build collaborative relationships and network with like-minded innovative organisations.

The ethos behind MEPC Milton Park is to provide sustainable space in which businesses can thrive. Milton Park takes its responsibilities to the community extremely seriously, whether that’s providing sustainable transport solutions, such as ‘green’ cooking-oil powered buses, or its commitment to flexible, high quality and environmentally-friendly buildings.

The MEPC Milton Park management team is keen to work with all sizes of business to help them achieve their potential. MEPC has an outstanding track record of property development and management, owning eight sustainable business communities across the UK, home to over 1,000 businesses. Companies can expect a hands-on management team that actively engages in their development and proposes innovative property solutions to help them grow.

Above all, MEPC Milton Park has a real sense of community. Single ownership of the park means ongoing investment in the infrastructure and facilities on Milton Park. The result is an attractive, well-managed environment and amenities that provide a pleasant and productive place to work.

For more information about office space at Milton Park Innovation Centre, please contact either: Philip Campbell, Asset Manager, MEPC Milton Park on Tel: 01235 865555 or email pcampbell@mepc.com, or, Joanne Willett, Marketing Director, Oxford Innovation on Tel: 01865 811128 or email: j.willett@oxin.co.uk.