A Southampton hub for ambitious businesses is marking a major milestone – 15 years of helping companies grow, innovate and succeed.
Since opening in December 2010, Ocean Village Innovation Centre (OVIC), has supported more than 200 companies by providing flexible serviced office space and expert business support.
Today the centre is home to 35 businesses and 15 virtual customers, with 67 serviced offices, six meeting rooms and coworking space across 30,000 sq ft.
Managed by UKSPA member Oxford Innovation Space on behalf of MDL Marinas Group, OVIC is part of a network of 30 innovation centres across the UK and Ireland, creating thriving ecosystems where businesses collaborate and accelerate growth.
Jo Stevens, Managing Director of Oxford Innovation Space, said: “OVIC was one of our first innovation centres on the South Coast and we are proud of its track record of supporting more than 200 companies and organisations since opening 15 years ago. The anniversary is a celebration of the entrepreneurs and innovators who have made OVIC such a vibrant community.”
Dozens of people attended a special milestone event at the centre’s premises by Ocean Village Marina.
Tim Mayer, Sales and Marketing Director at MDL Marinas, said: “We’re delighted to congratulate Oxford Innovation Space on 15 years of success at OVIC. The centre has become a genuine hub for business innovation, and we’re proud to have played our part in supporting that growth within Ocean Village.”
With 326 berths, the marina is the UK’s first and only five-star marina and is surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants, a cinema and the Harbour Hotel Southampton, a luxury spa hotel.
Stephen Deller, OVIC’s Centre Manager for more than eight years, said: “Our role is to help businesses navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
“From strategic advice and mentoring to workshops and partnerships with local universities, we provide the tools and connections that make a real difference. OVIC is more than office space – it’s a place where businesses thrive.”
Support includes mentoring, workshops, seminars, programmes and knowledge transfers with the universities of Southampton, Solent and Portsmouth through internships.
One Spa World was the first to move into OVIC in 2010, with 563 sq ft; the business returned this summer to use the meeting rooms.
The centre’s success stories include companies such as DFS Composites, which started as a virtual customer and grew into a global supplier of blade tooling solutions for the wind power industry.
Aros Marine, which undertakes refit and outfitting work on cruise ships, expedition vessels, river cruise ships, ferries and yachts around the world, recently chose OVIC at its UK headquarters.
Other occupiers include Krysteline Technologies, which specialises in glass recycling systems on five continents, international water technology company DHI and BAS Property Consultants, a multi-disciplinary building consultancy & architecture practice serving the UK.
