5 Things You Might Not Know About Mansfield Innovation Centre

5 Things You Might Not Know About Mansfield Innovation Centre

Many people already know that our innovation centre is a great place to work, collaborate, and grow your business. But there is often much more happening behind the scenes than people realise. From the wider innovation network that we’re part of, to the flexible ways businesses can join our community, here are five things you might not know about our centre and the opportunities available to the companies based here.

1. Mansfield Innovation Centre connects you to a wider innovation network

While our centre is rooted in the local business community, businesses based here also benefit from being part of a much wider innovation ecosystem. We don’t operate in isolation; we are part of Oxford Innovation Space, which connects innovation centres and flexible workspaces across the UK and Ireland. For businesses working from our centre, this creates opportunities to connect with a wider community of entrepreneurs, startups, and growing SMEs. Through shared events, collaboration opportunities, and digital platforms such as The Wire, businesses here can access insights, connections, and support beyond the walls of the centre.

2. Mansfield Innovation Centre is supported by strong local partnerships

Innovation centres like ours are designed to support local businesses and strengthen regional economies. We work alongside a range of partners who share a commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. Across the wider network, centres are developed in partnership with organisations such as local authorities, universities, developers, and science and research parks. For the businesses based here, these partnerships help create an environment that supports business growth, collaboration, and access to the wider local innovation ecosystem.

3. You can join our business community before you need a workspace

You don’t need a physical office to become part of our community. Our virtual office service allows businesses to join the centre community at an early stage of their journey. Access to professional business support and networking opportunities is available even if you’re not ready to move into a workspace yet. It’s a flexible way to build your presence, grow your network, and access support while your business develops.

4. Our spaces support more than just desks

Mansfield Innovation Centre is designed to support a wide range of businesses and ways of working, not just traditional office-based roles. Across the wider network, innovation centres include a variety of specialist facilities alongside offices and coworking spaces. These may include workshops, laboratories, and wet lab environments designed to support research, product development, and testing. This means innovative SMEs can access the facilities they need to develop ideas, collaborate with others, and scale their businesses in a supportive environment.

5. Sustainability and responsible business matter to us

Sustainability and responsible growth are important values within our centres and the communities they support. The wider organisation behind our centre, Oxford Innovation Space, has a strong Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitment. This includes a published Net Zero strategy and clear targets to reduce emissions across its centres. For businesses based here, this means being part of a community that values sustainable innovation, ethical business practices, and long-term responsible growth.

Join our innovation community

Whether you’re looking for flexible workspace, a supportive business community, or opportunities to collaborate with other innovative companies, Mansfield Innovation Centre is designed to help businesses start, grow and succeed. Get in touch today today to learn more about joining our community or to arrange a tour of the centre.