Startups in Oxford
Oxford has strengths in life sciences, publishing and research spinouts. OxLEP Business can help with local grants and advice, and our funding page explains how we help you get ready for a loan, a grant or investment.
What matters first for an Oxford research spinout?
Oxford's life-sciences and research spinouts often spend for years before earning revenue, funded by grants, angel investment and stakes held by the university or other institutions. Who owns the intellectual property, and on what licence terms, largely decides what the company is worth. R&D relief can be one of the largest sources of cash in the early years, and claims now need an additional information form filed before the corporation tax return. EMI share options let a company that cannot yet pay market salaries offer employees shares, and they need an agreed valuation and notification to HMRC on time. Publishing businesses in Oxford also have to account for royalties and apply the right VAT treatment to digital publications.
