Benefit from senior-level support and a nationwide network
We offer direct support from our Innovation Director and through the wider Oxford Innovation Space network, to help you scale up your business.
Join the fastest-evolving tech eco-system in Greater Manchester and the UK
Salford Crescent
Crescent is where industry, education and community come together to shape the future of Salford.
Crescent sits in a strategic location within Salford’s Innovation Triangle — with Salford Quays and MediaCityUK, the University of Salford and Salford Royal Hospital — and is home to an internationally significant cluster of activity across a range of sectors.
The Salford Innovation Forum is at the heart of the Innovation District, with hubs and labs within walking distance.
Discover the right office space for your business at Salford Innovation Forum.
Oxford Innovation Space
Salford Innovation Forum is managed by Oxford Innovation Space. Through this exchange of connections, knowledge and infrastructure, countless opportunities are created.
- Founded by The Oxford Trust to provide support to science, technology, and knowledge-led early-stage companies
- The largest operator of innovation centres in the UK – we have 35 years of experience of running spaces and places to support SMEs and entrepreneurs
- Our clients are universities, research and major science site owners, public sector, private investors and charities
- We deliver a range of objectives: support to high-growth SMEs and spin outs, on-going revenue and financial sustainability, economic development, jobs growth, profile, and business engagement
Angel Network and Investment Fund
We have proven results in raising funding and we manage our own Angel Network. We can help you identify the right funding for your business and connect you to finance providers. For over 30 years, we have developed many corporate relationships, which could just give you the leg-up you need.
- One of the largest Angel Investment Networks in the UK
- Access to active investors who can add value to early-stage companies, in addition to capital
- Seven investment showcase events every year so that selected companies can meet potential investors
- Access to Beauhurst
One-on-one business support and access to a network of mentors
Artur heads up our business support offering and comes with a wealth of business and product experience within the start-up, scaleup and corporate environment.
He’s an ex-CTO of a publicly listed company, Immotion Group Plc and gained experience within the various software, design and hardware departments for companies such as Jaguar Land Rover, Dassault Systemes/3DExcite, and developed multiple businesses, including VirtualSpeech, Virocast and Overfunded.
He specialises in providing practical business support for our innovation community through both hard and soft skills to help you solve the challenges you are facing. Artur also runs introductions whenever possible and is involved in a wider range of activities across Crescent Salford.
By joining our centre, you will also have access to a network of Innovation Directors across the UK.
Moving forward together
So much more than workspace
- 1:1 business support
- Oxford Innovation Network
- Community
- Product development
- Introductions & Opportunities
- Events & Workshops
- Fundraising
- Mentoring & Coaching
- Access to tools
Introduction & Opportunities
We are a part of many networks in Greater Manchester and across the country. We connect community members with opportunities and people who can assist their businesses in growing and scaling.
Community
Beyond space, we are a community. Salford Innovation Forum strives to create an environment where everyone can feel welcome and supported and grow their ideas into world-changing businesses.
Connect, Innovate, and Grow with The Wire
Join an exclusive community platform for Oxford Innovation Space customers, teams, and trusted partners where you can:
- Discover strategic partners and collaboration opportunities across the network
- Attend webinars, live streams, and masterclasses by industry leaders
- Showcase your business and increase visibility
- Connect with like-minded people in chat rooms, interest groups, and cross-centre networking
- Tap into expert business support, playbooks, and resources
Business Development Tools
When you join Salford Innovation Forum, you'll gain access to a wide range of tools and services to help your business achieve its goals.
GROWTHmapper™
Oxford Innovation has developed GROWTHmapper™ to help high growth businesses achieve their ambitions. This digital diagnostic tool consolidates over 20 years’ experience of nurturing successful high growth businesses and is used to model your business across multiple areas for future strategic growth.
Google for Startups Cloud Program
The Salford Innovation Forum customers benefit from Google’s startup support, including mentoring, event sponsorships, and tailored cloud solutions to help founders navigate growth in the digital age.
Leading Edge Only
Oxford Innovation Space has an exciting partnership with Leading Edge Only (LEO), the world’s largest Global Innovation Platform. Operating in over 120 countries, LEO connects innovative fast-growth start-ups & scale-ups to corporations seeking the latest innovative technologies, products, services or expertise – corporates such as IBM, Fujitsu & Walgreens Boots Alliance.
This is a free service for those customers who are seeking to get their solutions and expertise in-front of major corporations.
Microsoft – Accelerating Startups & Scaleups
We partner with Microsoft to support software companies through comprehensive Cloud solutions, including Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Azure. Startups gain access to go-to-market channels and transformative digital tools.
Dell for Startups Access
Dell provides Salford Innovation Forum customers with exclusive discounts, technical advisory services, and comprehensive end-to-end support, along with speaking opportunities and event access.
Oxford Innovation Finance Angel Network
We offer access to one of the UK’s largest and oldest Angel Investment Networks, helping businesses secure vital funding for their next growth phase.
GrantFinder
GrantFinder provides comprehensive access to local, national, and international funding opportunities, ensuring you stay ahead in securing financial support.
Barclays Eagle Labs
Partnering with Barclays, we bring Eagle Labs currently to three of our centres, offering expert mentorship, industry insight, and investor access to accelerate startup growth.
Expert support across every business function.
GrowthCanvas
GrowthCanvas is an AI-powered platform that quickly generates tailored growth insights and action plans for SMEs. It helps businesses make smarter decisions faster by turning complex data into clear, practical recommendations.
How your membership unlocks expert support
Hear from Neil Griffin, Business Support Director at Oxford Innovation Space, explaining the business support you receive as part of your membership.
Antler: The PropTech Incubator
Test, prove and scale your property technology in real buildings
Antler is Oxford Innovation Space’s PropTech incubator, helping start-ups and scale-ups pilot, refine and commercialise new property technologies in real-world environments. The programme connects innovators working on smart buildings, sustainability, energy efficiency and carbon reduction with live buildings, expert feedback and collaboration opportunities.
Ready to put your technology to the test? Get in touch to explore whether Antler is right for your business.
Access to tools
GROWTHmapper™
Oxford Innovation has developed GROWTHmapper™ to help high growth businesses achieve their ambitions. This digital diagnostic tool consolidates over 20 years’ experience of nurturing successful high growth businesses and is used to model your business across multiple areas for future strategic growth.
Beauhurst
Beauhurst is a searchable database of the UK’s fastest-growing businesses, along with the funds and accelerators that back them.
Oxford Innovation Space has a subscription to the Beauhurst platform, which allows us to track 32,000+ companies across the country, from early-stage start-ups to established scaleups.
Using Beauhurst we can find comprehensive information on sources of funding and grants.
Leading Edge Only
Oxford Innovation Space has an exciting partnership with Leading Edge Only (LEO), the world’s largest Global Innovation Platform. Operating in over 120 countries, LEO connects innovative fast-growth start-ups & scale-ups to corporations seeking the latest innovative technologies, products, services or expertise – corporates such as IBM, Fujitsu & Walgreens Boots Alliance.
This is a free service for those customers who are seeking to get their solutions and expertise in-front of major corporations.
AWS
Oxford Innovation is one of 160 official Amazon Web Service Partners worldwide, which means that you may be able to benefit from free support packages. This can include up to $25,000 of credits.
“Direct business support from Salford Innovation Forum helped us to receive funding, and we are now working with the senior members to develop our go-to-market strategy and marketing campaigns. The thriving community, weekly catchups, and various events make the space a perfect fit for our innovative business.”
Samuel Bishay, CIPAM Engineering
Events
Expand your expertise and promote your business with our online and in-person events.
The Hot Desk space at Salford Innovation Forum is a fantastic space with a variety of areas to meet and work, perfect for recharging and switching gears between tasks. The entire team is welcoming and engaging, providing lots of support to the business within the building. Artur’s knowledge, experience and guidance was also invaluable during our time there. If business are looking for a location to operate and thrive, Salford Innovation Forum is the ideal place”
Dave Bilsborough,
Founder at Nuntiaremedia
