A major new regional partnership, Equinox (Equitable Innovation Oxford) has officially launched to establish Oxford as a global centre for innovation and entrepreneurship.
Launched in Oxford by the Rt Hon Anneliese Dodds, Equinox will focus on creating the ecosystem needed to scale up companies, attract inward investment, and foster talent.
In support of Equinox, NatWest has announced the launch of a new NatWest Accelerator, which will provide tailored growth support with specialist banking expertise to help start-ups in Oxfordshire.
Initiated by the University of Oxford, Equinox is formed of over 40 key regional partners including Oxfordshire County Council, Moderna, Advanced Oxford, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford Science Enterprises, the Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), Oxford Nanopore, and Siemens Healthineers.
Bringing together universities, local leaders, government, businesses, investors, and communities under one collaborative banner, Equinox will champion equitable innovation and socially responsible economic growth.
Equinox’s objectives are to bring these elements together under one umbrella for the Oxford region. Equinox’s first success is collaborating with NatWest Accelerator to help local entrepreneurs connect with expert networks, access funding and scale their businesses.
Lord Vallance, Minister for Science, Innovation, Research and Nuclear, and Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion, said: “Equinox’s launch marks an important step forward for Oxfordshire and for the whole Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor: driving inclusive growth, fostering innovation, and delivering benefits that will be felt locally, nationally, and globally. The success of Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem is vital to our national mission for growth.”
Mairi Gibbs, CEO, Oxford University Innovation and member of the Equinox council, said: “At Oxford University Innovation, we see the ideas and discoveries emerging from across the University every day – ideas that can redefine industries and tackle global challenges. Through the Equinox partnership, we can connect this extraordinary pipeline of innovation to the regional strengths and shared ambition that will turn potential into a better future. Together, we can strengthen Oxfordshire’s innovation ecosystem, attract investment, and ensure that Oxford’s innovation leads to impact – impact that is shared, sustainable, and felt across our region.”
Cllr Ben Higgins, Cabinet Member for Future Economy and Innovation, Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We warmly welcome the launch of Equinox – and with it, the creation of a dynamic strategic partnership, one that unites stakeholders across the county to reassert Oxfordshire’s position as the leading force within the UK’s innovation ecosystem.
About Equinox
Equinox (Equitable Innovation Oxford) is an initiative created by the University of Oxford in partnership with regional stakeholders and government. It aims to unlock and accelerate regionally anchored, nationally significant growth for Oxfordshire.
Equinox brings together investors, corporates, local communities, policymakers and researchers to position Oxfordshire as a globally competitive innovation hub and attract inward investment.
