Oxford Innovation Finance

Oxford Innovation Finance represents a cornerstone in the UK investment landscape, encompassing the distinguished Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) and the Oxford Innovation EIS Growth Fund. Established in 1994, OION stands as one of Britain's pioneering angel investment networks, with nearly three decades of experience connecting promising ventures with capital resources. The organization strengthened its position in January 2020 through a strategic merger with Oxford Angel Network (OAN), previously operated by Oxford University Innovation, creating a unified and more robust investment ecosystem serving Oxford's innovation community and beyond.

The network operates through a carefully curated approach to investment opportunities, hosting regular Showcase events where selected entrepreneurs present their ventures to potential investors. These investment opportunities predominantly qualify for valuable tax incentives through either the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS) or Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS), enhancing their attractiveness to angel investors. This systematic approach to connecting capital with innovation has positioned OION as one of the largest and most respected angel networks in the United Kingdom, with a particular emphasis on technology and knowledge-based enterprises emerging from Oxford's renowned innovation ecosystem.

Expanding its investment capabilities, Oxford Innovation Finance launched the Oxford Innovation EIS Growth Fund in 2021, which rapidly deployed capital into nine innovative companies during its inaugural fiscal year. This success prompted the creation of Fund 2 in 2022, which similarly completed nine strategic investments, followed by Fund 3 in 2023. These funds represent a formalized investment vehicle complementing the angel network activities, allowing for more structured participation in promising early-stage and growth companies while providing investors with the tax advantages associated with the Enterprise Investment Scheme framework.

As an organization authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (reference number 564525), Oxford Innovation Finance maintains rigorous professional standards and compliance protocols. This regulatory oversight underscores the organization's commitment to responsible investment practices and proper governance. Through its dual structure of an established angel network and dedicated investment funds, Oxford Innovation Finance has created a comprehensive platform that supports innovation at multiple stages of development, from early-stage university spinouts to more established growth-phase companies, contributing significantly to the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem and technology commercialization landscape.