Equinox update

Since our launch, significant work has taken place behind the scenes to shape the next phase of Equinox. Building on the insights gathered before and during the launch event, we are exploring key challenges, developing potential solutions, and strengthening connections across our ecosystem.

Interest in Equinox is strong, with organisations keen to understand how they can get involved and contribute to its development. We continue to engage with partners and stakeholders across the region. This includes workshops with developers, professional services, and community organisations, as well as attending events to share more about Equinox and the role we can play.

Ongoing engagement with people and organisations across our ecosystem is vital to ensuring that our work delivers meaningful and lasting impact.

As part of our launch, we announced our partnership with NatWest, who are bringing an accelerator programme to the region. A recently launched Accelerator Pitch Competition will see five entrepreneurs pitch for prizes totalling £100,000 at an event on Thursday 18 June. This will be a valuable opportunity to bring together founders, entrepreneurs, and investors, creating space for ideas to flourish and connections to be made.

Work relating to an Inward Investment Unit for the region is ongoing. This involves a number of organisations, and we are navigating the complexities of the political, economic, and social systems within which we operate. We expect to make meaningful progress in the coming months and will share further updates in due course.

We are also engaging with wider developments across the region, including the consultation on a Greater Oxford Development Corporation, and will continue to contribute as this evolves.

At a national level, we are committed to supporting the retention of talent and jobs within the UK. This includes working in partnership with the Ox-Cam Growth Corridor, as well as through the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February between the University of Oxford, Oxfordshire County Council, the University of Liverpool, and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

At the end of this month, Professor Constantin Coussios will begin his tenure as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Oxford. As co-founder of OrganOx, he brings extensive experience in translating innovation into real-world impact, and we look forward to working closely with him.