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.

Oxwash – environmentally friendly laundry services

Oxford’s reputation for creating dynamic spin-outs from its world-famous university means ambitious young companies have a platform to attract well-known serial entrepreneurs. Oxwash is a good example. It is an environmentally friendly laundry service launched in 2018...

Oxford PV – increasing the efficiency of solar cells

Oxford PV is a perfect example of how Oxford and Oxfordshire are at the epicentre of the green recovery, yet its start-ups still need more government support to turn cutting-edge innovation into viable products. Its innovative solar cell design extends the...

Oxford Nanosystems – making heat exchange devices better and smaller

Pour a glass of champagne and the average person will be excited as the rising bubbles prompt a celebratory toast. At Oxford nanoSystems those bubbles are both exciting and the perfect example of how its technology works. Each one is the result of the carbon dioxide...

Oxbotica – autonomous vehicles, the future of mobility

Oxford residents may not have realised it, but they may have already seen the future of mobility. Oxbotica has been running trials of its autonomous vehicle software on a route between Oxford Parkway and Oxford station. Known as Project Endeavour, the programme is...

Ocean Mind – satellites and AI to fight illegal fishing

If we are determined to truly reduce our impact on the natural environment, the green recovery cannot only apply to land, it has to extend to the 70% of the world’s surface covered by oceans. Though it is hard to quantify, illegal fishing is estimated to account for...

The physics of water: HR Wallingford – navigating towards a new innovation hub

Historic government decisions can turn out to inadvertently pave the way for vibrant tech hub development. HR Wallingford is the perfect example, sitting at the heart of a new innovation centre, taking shape in South Oxfordshire over the next two to three years....

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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