Ocean Village Innovation Centre (OVIC)
The Ocean Village Innovation Centre (OVIC) is a dedicated business acceleration and workspace entity located in the Ocean Village Marina area of Southampton, Hampshire, United Kingdom. The core function of OVIC is to provide a comprehensive, supportive environment designed to foster the growth and success of start-up, early-stage, and growing companies. The centre operates under the management of Oxford Innovation Space, part of a wider network of innovation centres across the UK, and has been a hub for ambitious businesses since its establishment in 2010.
OVIC's model extends beyond simply renting office space; it is structured as an ecosystem that delivers flexible accommodation solutions integrated with a robust suite of specialist business support and networking services. The centre is particularly tailored to attract and support businesses in research and development and technology sectors, although it caters to a diverse range of companies, including those in Oil & Gas, Pharmaceuticals, Renewables, and Recruitment. Its overall mission is to help client businesses navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth within a vibrant, collaborative community.
Continue…Products and Services
The services offered by the Ocean Village Innovation Centre fall into three primary categories: Physical Workspace Solutions, Virtual Office Services, and Business Growth and Support Programmes.
Physical Workspace Solutions
OVIC provides flexible and modern accommodation options to suit various business sizes and stages, all accessible on flexible license agreements with predictable costs and no long-term contracts.
- Serviced Private Offices: The centre offers fully serviced private office suites, ranging in size from approximately 145 sq ft to 970 sq ft, designed to accommodate teams from 1 up to 30 employees. These modern and naturally-lit offices are ready-to-occupy, fully furnished, and include business broadband and telephony connections. The all-inclusive rental charge covers normal overheads and includes car parking. Tenants benefit from 24-hour access to their workspace.
- Dedicated Desks and Coworking: For individuals or smaller teams, OVIC provides dedicated desk rentals within shared workspaces. These are 24-hour accessible and come equipped with lockable storage.
Meeting and Conference Facilities
OVIC offers professional on-site facilities that are available to hire by both internal resident companies and external organisations.
- Meeting and Conference Rooms: A variety of superb rooms are available for hire by the hour or day, capable of accommodating between 2 and 50 delegates. These facilities are fully equipped for professional use, including presentation equipment, free WiFi, and videoconferencing capabilities. Break-out spaces and catering facilities can be arranged upon request, with support from the professional reception team for booking and guest management.
Business Support and Growth Programmes
The true value proposition of the Innovation Centre is the comprehensive suite of services dedicated to business acceleration and strategic development.
- Specialist Business Advice and Mentoring: Clients have access to an on-site management team, including a Centre Manager and Business Growth Manager, who provide tailored strategic advice, one-to-one mentoring, and practical support to help businesses succeed.
- Networking and Community Events: OVIC actively fosters a collaborative community by encouraging networking amongst customers. Regular networking events, training workshops, seminars, and learning events on relevant business topics are held to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience.
- Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer: The centre facilitates connections for growth by offering partnerships with local academic institutions, including the universities of Southampton, Solent, and Portsmouth, which can lead to knowledge transfer opportunities and internships.
- Access to Growth Platforms and Tools: Through its management by Oxford Innovation Space, OVIC provides access to high-value resources, including:
- Beauhurst: A subscription-based searchable database of the UK's fastest-growing businesses, which is used to track companies and identify comprehensive information on sources of funding and grants.
- Leading Edge Only (LEO): A Global Innovation Platform that connects innovative, fast-growth start-ups and scale-ups with corporations (such as IBM and Fujitsu) seeking new technologies, products, or expertise. This service is free to customers looking to get their solutions in front of major corporations.
- Angel Investment Showcase: OVIC offers coaching and preparation for companies to pitch for funding in the competitive angel investment environment.
- AWS Partnership: Clients may be able to benefit from free Amazon Web Service (AWS) support packages, potentially including AWS credits.
Virtual Office Services
For companies that require a professional, established presence without the cost of physical office rental, OVIC offers virtual office packages.
- Virtual Office Packages: These services provide a prestigious registered business address in Southampton, a local 023 telephone number, and professional mail and call handling options. Virtual customers also often receive discounted access rates to the on-site meeting rooms.
On-site and Administrative Support
Integral to the serviced environment is the high level of administrative support.
- Reception and Administration: A professional reception team provides day-to-day support, including telephone answering, welcoming guests, and managing bookings. Other administrative services, IT support, cleaning, and general maintenance are also included.
- Amenities: The centre is fully air-conditioned and includes amenities such as kitchens with free tea and coffee, showers, break-out/lounge spaces, and is fully wheelchair accessible.
