Oxford Science Enterprises announces partnership with The Crown Estate and Pioneer Group

Oxford, UK – 22 May 2024 – Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) today announces a new partnership with The Crown Estate and Pioneer Group to deliver vital laboratory and office space to support the UK’s science, technology and innovation ambitions.

The first project under the partnership is The Crown Estate’s acquisition of the former Debenhams site in the heart of Oxford city centre, which will be transformed into c.100,000 sq. ft of life sciences, technology and innovation space. The project represents an initial investment of c.£125 million by The Crown Estate, marking the start of a partnership that aims to invest up to £1.5 billion over time to support the UK’s innovation economy.

Oxford is one of the world’s most intensive science and innovation clusters – ranked third globally overall and second for Life Sciences research. Its university is the leading academic institution for spinout creation worldwide, with 210 companies founded since 2011. The wider UK tech ecosystem is now the third largest globally and the largest in Europe, with UK start-ups securing more venture capital funding in 2023 than those in France and Germany combined.

However, a lack of available and suitable real estate, particularly for early-stage businesses, has been identified as a critical barrier to growth, especially in supply-constrained locations such as Oxford. This partnership brings together complementary expertise to address that gap:

• OSE – The world’s largest venture builder dedicated to a single university. OSE brings access to a cohort of the country’s most exciting science and technology businesses and a deep understanding of their requirements as they scale.
• Pioneer Group – Europe’s only life sciences growth facilitator to provide a complete ecosystem of laboratory space, venture funding, strategic guidance and state-of-the-art real estate. Established in 2003, its ecosystem is designed to nurture and accelerate enterprises focused on planetary and human health. It currently manages a portfolio of more than four million sq. ft in key locations, including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin.
• The Crown Estate – With a diverse national footprint, proven ability to bring together public and private sectors, and a mandate to act in the long-term national interest. It has identified science, technology and innovation as a sector where it can have a meaningful impact to support regional economic growth. By working in partnership with others, it can provide the space desperately needed to prevent world-class UK start-ups looking abroad, drive wider regeneration and attract inward investment.

Subject to planning, construction at the former Debenhams site will begin next year, with the new facilities expected to be operational by 2027/2028. The site will provide high-specification space tailored to the needs of Oxford’s fast-growing science and innovation community.

Ed Bussey, Chief Executive Officer at OSE, said:
“The UK’s science and technology sector is full of promising businesses with the potential to solve some of the world’s toughest challenges, but they often struggle to access the right lab or start-up space – which can be a significant barrier to growth. As a key player in Oxford’s innovation ecosystem, we’re proud to partner with The Crown Estate and Pioneer Group to ensure the next generation of pioneering life science and technology ventures have the facilities they need to scale. This collaboration will help Oxford remain at the heart of the UK’s ambition to be a science superpower, exporting world-leading research and innovation to the world.”