Powering up the green recovery: Oxfordshire's role in building a cleaner future

How Oxfordshire businesses are contributing to lowering the carbon and environmental footprint and how we ensure their success and growth

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time.

There are many Oxfordshire-based companies that are developing technology that will help in the transition to a low carbon, more sustainable economy. During 2020, Advanced Oxford has been undertaking research to examine the innovation-based low carbon and environmental goods and services sector within Oxfordshire – an area of activity that some refer to as clean-tech. Below you will find the results of our work, including case studies, a report on the sector and our recommendations to drive a green focused economic recovery, with innovation-based companies at its heart.

Key findings from our research

88% of companies surveyed think that Government’s focus on the green recovery is an opportunity for them
The majority of pre-revenue companies expect to be revenue generating within one to two years
Hiring to meet anticipated demand will see head count rise across innovation-based companies, with all companies projecting growth in the next three years, ranging from 10% – 500% growth
3 in 4 companies will need to raise more funds to fuel growth over the next three years
Investment (80%), access to skilled employees (50%) and grant funding (50%), are quoted as vital growth enablers.
Investment (60%), uncertain market (40%) and protecting IP (40%) are called out as key barriers to growth

Case Studies

Oxfordshire is home to a range of companies developing new research, technologies, products and services, all of which will contribute to a low carbon and cleaner future. Read about the exciting work that is being undertaken by companies across the region and find out more about their plans for growth and how they are contributing to a vibrant innovation ecosystem.

Tokamak Energy – pioneering globally deployable fusion energy

Tokamak Energy is pioneering commercial, clean, economic and globally deployable fusion energy in the heart of Oxfordshire It is hard to think of a clearer symbol of Oxfordshire’s central role in replacing the planet’s reliance on fossil fuels than the development of...

Reduce My Footprint

Many people found their plans had to change in 2020, but the team behind Reduce My Footprint put the time to good use. Studying a Masters in Energy Systems within the University of Oxford engineering department, founders, Marcus Lima, Mbongeni Dube and Erik Millar...

YASA puts the performance in electric motors

The University of Oxford plays a key role in the region in creating spin-out companies. Many of these spin-outs choose to stay and grow in Oxfordshire and there is now a cadre of leading companies that are at the heart of the region’s innovation ecosystem. One such...

Tackling sustainable chemistry challenges

Meet new University of Oxford spin-out, HydRegen The idea behind new University of Oxford spin-out company HydRegen started as a masters project in 2009. Co-founder of the company, Holly Reeve (pictured above on the right), then carried on the research towards...

Spintex – learning from spiders, producing environmentally friendly silk

Spin-out is a very apt term for Spintex, the start-up from Oxford developing an environmentally friendly way to produce silk. Its co-founder, Alex Greenhalgh, has always been fascinated by spiders and, as a researcher at the University of Oxford’s Silk Group, worked...

Reaction Engines – spearheading cleaner flight

It is not just road vehicles that need to be more environmentally-friendly, aviation needs to move away from burning kerosene and embrace sustainable fuel sources. Reaction Engines is pioneering the move to cleaner flight with its hydrogen-powered SABRE engine. It...

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Low carbon and environment business directory

Advanced Oxford has undertaken work to map the industrial landscape of innovation-based companies working within the low carbon and environmental goods and services sector. All of the companies have premises or are based within Oxfordshire. Information about the companies can be found in our business directory.

View directory

Download the report

This report draws together our research and shines a spotlight on some of the exciting developments that are yet to reach the market – companies that are developing ground-breaking work to help solve the climate change emergency and address environmental challenges. As well as highlighting the technology and capability within the region, we detail a range of opportunities for companies working to develop low carbon and sustainable goods and services, including opportunities to work with the NHS, our universities and other industries and how to engage with local policy makers. Our report also examines what needs to be done to support growth and assesses the challenges faced by our innovative companies.

Report download