The Ukrainian Education Centre has officially opened its doors at the Oxford Westgate Library, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of educational and cultural support for Ukrainians in the UK.

Supported by Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre, the event brought together over 120 attendees, including representatives from academia, local government, business and Ukrainians.

The ceremony was opened by Yevgenia Zhyryakova, Head of the Ukrainian Education Centre in the UK, and Alla Skrynnikova, Head of the Oxford Centre.

Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “The opening of the Ukrainian Education Centre in Oxford is testament to the strength and spirit of our Ukrainian communities in the county and the power of education to bring people together.

“It’s inspiring to see such a vibrant initiative take root in our city. We’re proud to support a space that fosters learning, cultural exchange and resilience.”

Distinguished guests included Professor Lord Tarasenko (University of Oxford), Dr Nadiya Ivanenko, Dr Serhiy Savytskyi and Paddy Harris, who shared uplifting words of support and encouragement. The event concluded with a moving performance by Ukrainian musicians.

The Oxford centre is the third Ukrainian educational hub to open in the UK, following successful launches in London and Chichester. It forms part of a global network of 84 hubs supporting Ukrainian communities across Europe, North America and Asia.

Further events and activities are planned for later in the year, continuing the centre’s mission to empower and connect Ukrainians in Oxfordshire and beyond.

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For the fourth consecutive year, 60 students from seven schools exhibited their innovative business projects at the annual Young Enterprise event in the BIPC in Oxford’s Westgate Library on 28 April, with project themes ranging from tackling climate change to mental health.

Young Enterprise is a national organisation that aims to give young people the life skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in the world of work. It was joined at the event by representatives from the county council as well as the University of Oxford’s Said Business School and Westgate Oxford.

Ryan Johnson, Oxfordshire County Council’s Engagement Manager for the Business & Intellectual Property Centre, said: “We were really pleased to be able to host this event on behalf of Young Enterprise Oxfordshire once again. The day was filled with awards and celebrations, recognising the hard work and dedication of these talented students.

“The teams were very impressive with all that they had achieved, demonstrating their ability to prepare and submit business reports, give presentations and be interviewed. I’m confident many will go on to create thriving businesses and have a real impact in the county.

“The event is a great example of how the centre can support the ambitions of local young people, providing them with the skills and confidence to start and grow their own businesses.”

The BIPC offers many opportunities and activities for young people, where anyone can access one to one support or workshops to support their business start-up ideas.

For more information on the BIPC, visit the centre on the second floor of Oxfordshire County Library or go online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/bipc.

Find out how to get involved with Oxfordshire Young Enterprise by visiting its website. 

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Now, with the support of Oxfordshire County Council, Bryan’s company, Repolywise, has just secured funding from Innovate UK to put his ideas for plastic recycling into action.

He is now encouraging others to follow in his footsteps in taking up support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC).

Bryan, who became a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) at the University of Oxford, said: “I spent eight years at Oxford in the chemistry department as an undergraduate and a postgraduate, eventually obtaining my DPhil in inorganic chemistry in March 2024.

"As part of my DPhil work, I was involved in a project that looked at plastic degradation. That is where the inspiration for Repolywise came from,” explained the Oxford resident.

"The current limited options available for plastic recycling is partly a consequence of the difficulty in finding a solution. Nearly 80 per cent of all plastics in the world end up in landfill, just nine per cent is recycled.

“That’s why I wanted to create a business that focused on finding a solution to this.”

Bryan, 26, first came into contact with the BIPC back in September 2023, where his experience gave him the motivation to act.

Bryan continued: “I googled entrepreneur events in Oxford back in 2023 and that’s how I found the BIPC. I signed up to one of the start-up huddles to present my idea.

“Everyone was very enthusiastic and welcoming of my business proposal, and it was this that gave me the motivation to continue on with what I was doing.”

He has also utilised more of the services on offer, including one to one mentoring sessions, and computer software, such as Grantfinder.

Since then, Repolywise has gone from strength to strength, culminating in receiving £375,000 of funding from Innovate UK for the development of the ‘Atomic Scissors’ technology.

“The Atomic Scissors technology, developed at the University of Oxford, involves a highly innovative process to break down waste plastics at the atomic level to selectively convert waste into propane,” explained Bryan.

“This funding will allow us to develop the technology and get it to a point where it can be used commercially.”

With his business now thriving, Bryan is keen to encourage others to join the BIPC start-up huddles and share their ideas.

He said: “The BIPC centre is incredibly helpful to early stage entrepreneurs. You would be surprised what benefits the Oxford start-up community here can offer!”

Ryan Johnson, Manager at Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre, said: “Repolywise’s rapid rise is a real success story for the BIPC. The fact that it was the start-up huddle that gave Bryan the motivation to put his idea into practice shows how much the centre can make a difference.

“We provide a range of services, resources and activities from one on one support, workshops and our start-up huddle to equipment, software, and even office space. By doing this we can give people in Oxfordshire an extra hand to make their dreams a reality and help their businesses thrive.”

One on one support can be booked online.

The monthly start-up huddle provides an opportunity for individuals to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share knowledge, experience and ideas, and grow their businesses.

The BIPC was recognised by the national Libraries Connected Awards back in June 2023, winning the children’s award for its work engaging hundreds of new youth participants aged eight to 25 in enterprising activities.

The centre is part of the British Library's National Network of Business & Intellectual Property Centres, which aim to transform the way ideas grow into successful businesses.

Find out more about what’s on offer and what support is available by visiting the Business and Intellectual Property Centre’s website.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

However, for 35 year old Sadia Ali, Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) made the process a whole lot less daunting, and she is now encouraging others to make the most of the centre and its variety of resources.

She explained: “After years of working in investment banking I knew I wanted something more. I knew I wanted a family, and the demanding hours of the banking world would have made that difficult.

“I’ve had my own journey with this, but I’ve also met so many people that are stuck in less than ideal situations because of money; whether that’s an environment, a relationship, cultural dynamics or a job.

“I’ve also witnessed the detrimental impact and spiralling effect finances and bad money management can have on mental health and overall wellbeing. There is nothing that gives you more choice, more options, more independence than having your own money set for growth and building an independent source of income.

“I wanted to make finance and wealth building more accessible for the everyday person. I wanted more people to understand how simple it is to build wealth and how it’s possible for everyone at any level of income to invest in the stock market.”

The Oxford born and bred entrepreneur first came to the centre thanks to a women’s event hosted by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

 “It’s hard doing everything by yourself. Entrepreneurship is glorified as being easy, and so I felt out of my depth at times, especially as I was so used to high achieving,” Sadia commented.

“I found out about the BIPC through an event that I went to, hosted by OxLEP, at the Oxford Westgate Library.

“I was spending some time in Oxford, so it was the perfect little place for me to work from, providing the perfect balance between quiet focus time and also being around like-minded people in a similar position. I often used the marketing suite to film videos and podcasts. But mostly I used the booth for meetings!”

Sadia has also praised the support of the staff, particularly Ryan Johnson, Oxfordshire County Council’s BIPC Manager, and Sophie Silverstone, an officer.

She added: “The manager Ryan has also been a great help. He presented me with so many opportunities that I’m so grateful for, and Sophie was always available to help me through any real time challenges I was facing. I was really blessed to have had access to those two!”

Since using the BIPC to start her own business, Sadia is keen to share her own experiences and expertise to help others who may be feeling the same way she did.

She continued: “My business has grown so much in the last year and the centre had a huge role to play in this, mostly because of the space it gave me to focus and for helping me build a schedule for my work day. Also being around other business owners was so helpful, to support each other in quite a lonely journey. 

“I would strongly recommend anyone thinking about starting a business to use the BIPC and the resources available. From the free one on one mentoring to the marketing suite and the events that are held, it is such a brilliant space for anyone to start their journey. If you’re able to get through those first hurdles, then it is the most rewarding thing ever.”

Ryan Johnson, Manager at Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre, said: “Sadia’s story just shows, yet again, how much the centre can help anybody to make the next step with their business. I wish her all the best.

“Much of what is on offer is free of charge. By providing free resources and support, we can give people in Oxfordshire an extra hand to make their dreams a reality and help their businesses thrive.”

Located in the Oxford Westgate Library, the centre provides a range of services, resources and activities for start-ups. Individuals can benefit from one on one support, which can be booked online, or attend workshops designed to help develop their business ideas.

A monthly start-up huddle is held to provide a free opportunity for individuals to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share knowledge, experience and ideas, and grow their businesses.

The BIPC was recognised by the national Libraries Connected Awards back in June 2023, winning the children’s award for its work engaging hundreds of new youth participants aged eight to 25 in enterprising activities.

The centre is part of the British Library's National Network of Business & Intellectual Property Centres, which aim to transform the way ideas grow into successful businesses.

Find out more about what’s on offer and what support is available by visiting the Business and Intellectual Property Centre’s website.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Two years later, he kept his promise with support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC).

Now that his business, The Drone Rules, is thriving, 32 year old William is encouraging others to consider the BIPC to help turn their business ideas into reality.

Inspired by his Nigerian-born mother who was one of the first female aeronautical engineers in her town, William wanted to capitalise on his background in aerospace and astronautics engineering to create a business that centres on changing the world for the better through aerial technology – drones.

He said: “I had been working for an Oxford University spinout, having spent five years as a flight simulation engineer, building simulators and travelling the world to test them, but I had promised myself I would start my own business.

“The drone industry is a fast paced and rapidly growing market. This is because drones offer incredible value if used correctly – anything from aerial photography to delivering medical supplies at hospitals. There are so many opportunities with these incredible flying robots!”

William first came into contact with the team at the BIPC when he was offering free services at Oxford Westgate Library.

As he explains, “I quit my job in 2021, and I then began to offer free services to the library in the form of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) drone workshops. These were STEM based coding classes for young people.

“I was then introduced by a library manager to the BIPC management as she saw that I was keen to develop STEM workshops for young people.”

William was one of the first people to use the popular start-up networking huddles, which are now one of the most well attended of its kind in the country and has utilised almost every resource available.

“I have used almost everything at the centre to help my business, including the databases on offer, photography and lighting equipment, the green screen background, the meeting rooms for client discussions, and even the main room for various STEM sessions.”

Thanks to the help on offer at BIPC, William’s business is now thriving, providing educational and consultancy services to a range of different organisations.

“I have managed to branch the business out into two main areas: education and consultancy. “Drone City provides further development of STEM by inspiring young people (key stage one to two) through all mediums of education through practical sessions utilising our very own story books, online resources and STEM drones

“Meanwhile, Droneworxx (key stage two to post-16) helps with the development of careers by inspiring those aged 12 - 21 and over by offering programmes, workshops and practical sessions to help young adults to succeed in the world of autonomous aviation.

“The Drone Rules is the parent company for both Drone City and Droneworxx and is also helping businesses and organisations across Oxfordshire and surrounding counties adopt drone solutions including NHS, Oxfordshire County Council, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and Oxford Business Park.

“I would strongly recommend anybody who is thinking about starting their own business to attend a meeting with the BIPC for a one to one, or join one of the start-up huddles, and gain insights into taking the leap into developing your idea into a viable business.

“You may feel ready to fly, but learning about the financial, administrative, and business planning frameworks may help make the ride a little less bumpy!”

Ryan Johnson, Manager at Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre, said: “The Drone Rules is just another example of a small Oxfordshire startup that has benefited from the expertise and resources on offer at the BIPC.

“It’s always great to hear these success stories, and I hope to hear many more.

"The BIPC offers various free resources, including free business advice and mentoring from our team, networking events, database access, meeting spaces, and equipment. It's the perfect place to bring your business idea to life.”

Located in the Oxford Westgate Library, the centre provides a range of services, resources and activities for start-ups. Individuals can benefit from one on one support or attend workshops designed to help develop their business ideas.

A monthly startup huddle is held to provide a free opportunity for individuals to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share knowledge, experience and ideas, and grow their businesses.

The BIPC was recognised by the national Libraries Connected awards back in June 2023, winning the children’s award for its work engaging hundreds of new youth participants aged eight to 25 in enterprising activities.

The centre is part of the British Library's national network of business and intellectual property centres, which aim to transform the way ideas grow into successful businesses.

Find out more about what’s on offer and what support is available by visiting the Business and Intellectual Property Centre’s website.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

With support from Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) 55-year-old Tim Pakouse has made his idea a reality and is encouraging others to make the most of the resources on offer.

Get Fed CIC (Community Interest Company) launched back in 2022 as a means of supporting young people identified as at particular risk of exploitation or exclusion from school. It aims to help them access employment while developing entrepreneurial skills along the way.

Experienced as a youth worker in a criminal justice setting,  Banbury-based Tim was concerned about the growing number of students for whom school was not working. He saw a link between these children and the developing problem of drugs exploitation: young people who weren’t achieving at school were more vulnerable to the offer of the local drug dealers, which gave Tim an idea.

He explains: “I was a youth worker for more than twenty years and saw so many young lads missing out on school for various reasons. I saw many of them at risk of getting involved with drug dealers and county lines.

“My idea was to create something where young people learn barista and business skills on our coffee van and have the opportunity to help project manage a gig in their community where they can earn 50 per cent of the profits. Making frothy coffees is a lot safer than dealing drugs!”

Tim first got in contact with the BIPC back in the summer of 2022 when he did a day of training with Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP).

 Although at first, he wasn’t sure about the impact that the BIPC would have, it was clear very soon how much of a useful resource it is, and had particular praise for BIPC manager, Ryan Johnson.

“I have worked with Ryan Johnson previously and stayed connected over various changes in role. Ryan is an inspiring person and amazing connector. When I heard about the launch of BIPC I was intrigued, and the timing seemed perfect for what I wanted to achieve.

“I was a bit sceptical at first as to whether BIPC would help me to be honest – I felt a bit inadequate to accept the help and I had a bit of imposter syndrome.

“However, the trainers were so helpful, and resources were so easily accessible. Being able to network with other business owners was great too – seeing your idea become a reality and getting useful feedback from others.

“I have used every resource available and I never miss a BIPC opportunity if I don’t have to!”

Since getting involved with the BIPC, Get Fed CIC has gone from strength to strength, with exciting plans including more involvement at local events and new vans. Tim even hopes to use the experience to help shape local government policy for young people.

“Get Fed is growing and gaining traction. We have now worked with more than 50 young people, with a high percentage of those having gone onto employment or further training.

“BIPC is the nursery from which we’ve sprung. The day of OxLEP (free!) training germinated the idea – talked about for years – which began to take on a plan and strategy.

“BIPC’s value is so organic and multi-layered it has to be experienced.  Ryan and the BIPC team energise the eco-system, which has incredible resources and potential – it’s one of the most exciting spaces I’ve ever known.”

Ryan Johnson, Manager at Oxfordshire County Council’s Business and Intellectual Property Centre, said: “The BIPC is a great, but often underutilised resource that almost anybody with an idea could benefit from. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve already got a business, or you simply have an idea and want help taking it to the next step – the BIPC is here to help. Over 1,500 people have already been supported with their start-ups and their ideas.

“That’s why it’s so great to hear more about Tim’s business and the difference it’s already making to young people in the county. I am glad the BIPC was able to help Get Fed flourish.

“Much of what is on offer at our BIPC is free of charge, including one to one sessions with one of our advisors. If you have a startup, or simply a business idea, and need some advice, get in touch to book a free session now.”

Located in the Oxford Central Library at Westgate, the centre provides a range of services, resources and activities for start-ups. Individuals can benefit from one on one support or attend workshops designed to help develop their business ideas.

A monthly start-up huddle is held to provide a free opportunity for individuals to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, share knowledge, experience and ideas, and grow their businesses.

The BIPC was recognised by the national Libraries Connected Awards back in June 2023, winning the children’s award for its work engaging hundreds of new youth participants aged eight to 25 in enterprising activities.

The centre is part of the British Library's National Network of Business & Intellectual Property Centres, which aim to transform the way ideas grow into successful businesses.

Find out more about what’s on offer and what support is available by visiting the Business and Intellectual Property Centre’s website.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.