Oxford launches regional partnership to drive equitable, innovation-led growth

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.

Richard Todd, Head of Built Environment for Bidwells, said, “We’re proud to support a partnership that recognises the vital role of the built environment in enabling equitable, innovation-led growth, through the launch of Equinox. Oxford’s world-class research and entrepreneurial strengths need the right places to collaborate, attract talent and scale sustainably. By working together across universities, investors, industry and local leaders, we can create the infrastructure that helps breakthrough ideas start, grow and deliver shared prosperity for our region.”