Oxford Innovation Helps Award-Winning Digital Start-up Launch New Headquarters

03/27/2013 (press release: DPRi) // United Kingdom // Helen Reid

An innovative start-up recently named as one of the hottest business prospects in the country has established a new headquarters to drive its ambitious expansion plans.

Audio tour app company ViewPoynt, winner of the Oxford VentureFest 2012 Launch Pad competition for innovative start-up companies, this week signalled the next phase of its growth with the launch of a new office backed by Oxford Innovation Centres.

Provided free as part of a prize package designed to give the company the resources it needs to underpin its plans for the future, ViewPoynt’s virtual headquarters deal will give it reception services, meeting facilities and access to expert advice as the company meets growing demand for its smartphone audio guide technology.

Speaking at the launch, ViewPoynt founder and director Chris Whatmore said: “This is a significant moment in our company’s development. We’ve just begun work on our first major commercial contract, and with a number of exciting new projects likely to land over the next few months, having access to first class business centre services is going to be vital to our future development.

“Oxford Innovation’s Harwell centre is the perfect location to launch our first headquarters from. It gives us state of the art meeting, presentation and business support facilities in an area with good transport links to the rest of the UK and a vibrant community that makes it a great place to live and work in.”

Founded in 2011, ViewPoynt provides audio guides for heritage sites – like Dorchester Abbey – that until now have not been able to afford them. By delivering tours through visitors’ own smartphones, the company eliminates traditional equipment and production costs, and is currently building an audio tour for the 125,000 tourists a year who visit London’s oldest church – its latest venture into a multi million pound market that attracts over 40 million visitors every year.

Awarded a year’s free office space by Oxford Innovation after being named the region’s most promising new business by VentureFest in December, ViewPoynt opted to select a virtual office package. The prize gives the fast growing company access to a flexible range of professional office services that will allow it to expand its Harwell operations as it develops, taking on extra floorspace as and when it creates new jobs.

Oxford Innovation’s Marketing and IC Development Director Jo Willett commented: “We have years of experience helping fast growth companies achieve their potential, and have supported hundreds of new firms with facilities and advice. We are delighted to welcome an exciting organisation like ViewPoynt on board, and look forward to working with them as they strive to establish their unique new service in a very lucrative market.”

Notes

About Oxford Innovation

Oxford Innovation is a leading operator of business and innovation centres that provide office and laboratory space to companies throughout the UK. The company also provides innovation services to entrepreneurs, including business planning advice, coaching and mentoring.

Oxford Innovation also manages three highly successful investment networks that link investors with entrepreneurs seeking funding from £20,000 to £2m. During the last five years, the investment networks have helped over 90 companies raise £19.5m. For more information: http://www.oxin.co.uk

Oxford Innovation is part of SQW Group. Other divisions and associated companies include SQW, a leading provider of research, analysis and advice on sustainable economic and social development solutions to the public and private sectors, and SQW China, which operates from Hong Kong providing economic and management consultancy services to China and the international market. For more information: http://www.sqwgroup.com

About Harwell Innovation Centre

Harwell Innovation Centre opened in 2000 and provides office space, virtual offices and meeting rooms in a supportive, serviced environment. Located on the Harwell Oxford Campus, near Didcot and with a dedicated onsite centre management team to greet visitors, manage calls and take care of the facilities management, companies can focus on running their business. Harwell Innovation Centre has space for up to 60 companies, spread across more than 25,000 sq ft of office space. Business suites range in size from 100 sq ft to 1,700 sq ft making the accommodation ideal for companies with up to 20 employees.

Harwell Innovation Centre differs from a standard business centre by offering a raft of practical support that encourages the development of start-ups, entrepreneurial and high-growth companies. With natural links already in place with the bigger science campuses on the doorstep, it’s an ideal place to base a business. For more information: http://www.harwell-ic-co.uk

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