Oxford Innovation Finance is pleased to announce a new sponsorship agreement with HSBC Innovation Banking. As part of the collaboration, HSBC Innovation Banking will sponsor the Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION), further enhancing the support available to innovative, high-growth companies across the UK.
The agreement reflects Oxford Innovation Finance’s commitment to working with leading ecosystem partners to broaden the expertise, networks and financial solutions accessible to its portfolio companies and investor community.
HSBC Innovation Banking plays a key role in the UK’s innovation landscape, supporting venture-backed tech and life science businesses with specialised banking solutions, growth financing and investor connections. With presence in ten of the world’s leading innovation hubs, its team understands what it takes to navigate new challenges at the forefront of some of the world’s most dynamic industries.
Oxford Innovation Finance backs ambitious, innovation-led businesses across the UK through its early-stage EIS funds and co-investment opportunities, providing capital at pivotal stages of growth. Beyond investment, it plays an active role in fostering a connected ecosystem of founders and investors to help companies scale and create long-term value. Central to this approach is its established angel network, OION, which brings together experienced private investors and carefully selected, investment-ready businesses seeking growth capital.
“We are excited to welcome HSBC Innovation Banking as a sponsor of Oxford Innovation Finance’s angel network OION,” said Jens Tholstrup, Executive Chairman of Oxford Innovation Finance. “Their long-standing commitment to supporting innovative and venture-backed businesses aligns closely with our mission to empower ambitious entrepreneurs and deliver strong outcomes for our investors. By working together, we can further strengthen the support available to our portfolio companies as they scale.”
Through this sponsorship, Oxford Innovation Finance’s portfolio companies and investor community will gain enhanced access to HSBC Innovation Banking’s sector insight, specialist products and growth expertise, alongside opportunities for closer collaboration across the innovation ecosystem.
“Access to capital remains a key challenge for many early-stage and growth businesses, particularly when it comes to connecting with the right investors at the right time,” added Matthew Gazeley, Regional Coverage Director – Oxfordshire & Thames Valley, HSBC Innovation Banking UK. “At HSBC Innovation Banking, we see how critical those connections are as businesses move through different stages of growth. Partnerships like this play an important role in strengthening connectivity across the ecosystem and supporting the continued growth of innovative businesses across the UK.”
Oxford Innovation Finance continues to develop strategic partnerships that ensure the businesses it backs benefit not only from capital, but from the networks, insights and resources required to achieve sustainable growth.