A PROPERTY consortium developing the Harwell site into a major high-tech employer has signed a deal that could see more investment in start-up businesses.

The Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is being developed in a public-private partnership between multinational property group Goodman and two public-sector bodies, the UK Atomic Energy Authority and the Science & Technology Facilities Council.

They are paying an undisclosed sum to sponsor the Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) to boost the links between high-growth companies, investors and research organisations in Oxfordshire.

Before privatisation in the 1980s, Harwell employed tens of thousands of people in nuclear research.

Since then, the site has been cleaned up with Government money, and is now home to more than 100 science and technology companies as well as the Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility.

Oxford Investment Opportunity Network helps technology companies secure funding from £200,000 to £2m, and its sister network, Oxford Early Investments, finds funding from £25,000 to £250,000 for start-ups.

Its manager, Eileen Modral, announced the sponsorship at an event for business angel investors at the Diamond Light Source facility.

Ms Modral said: “We are delighted to welcome the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus on board as a prestigious new sponsor of both the OION Network and Oxford Early Investments. Their support, alongside our existing sponsors and members, will enable the networks to maintain a high-quality service for both investors and companies.”

Megan Morys, of the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, said: “The combination of sponsors offering access to research, facilities and business support services and investors offering funding and experience provides businesses with a stable platform for the next phase of their development.”

Tim Bestwick, of the Science Technology & Facilities Council, said: “There’s a good fit between the campus, which supports the commercialisation of cutting-edge research and development of spin-out companies and these networks.”