Join a thriving community of innovators, entrepreneurs and like-minded businesses
A bold new home for tech businesses in Essex
The Innovation Centre is the focal point for the University of Essex’s Knowledge Gateway; a research and technology park situated on their Colchester campus.
A creative hub for technology innovation
ICKG is a place where start-up and early stage technology businesses can rent flexible, socially distanced office space, book impressive meeting and conference facilities, benefit from business support, and have access to research expertise – as well as student and graduate talent.
The Innovation Centre is based at the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus, which is an official University Enterprise Zone designated by the Government as a centre for nurturing and supporting new digital and creative businesses.

A catalyst for growth
By supporting early stage innovative businesses, the Innovation Centre is helping the University to drive economic growth in the East of England, and establish this area as a globally-recognised centre for innovation. Combined with the excellent facilities on the University campus, the thriving hub of the Knowledge Gateway is an essential place for entrepreneurs and business owners to base themselves and develop new ideas.
A strong partnership
Innovation Centre, Knowledge Gateway is a partnership between the University of Essex (University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards 2018) and Oxford Innovation (the UK’s leading Innovation Centre operator). Their joint aim is to make high-tech and creative start-up and scale-up businesses into sustainable and commercial successes, which has a continuous positive impact on the local economy.

What our customers say


Meet the team

Neil
Griffin
Innovation Director
Neil Griffin
Innovation Director
Neil comes to Oxford innovation with a wealth of business and senior management experience within a strategically driven commercial environment. Personal development includes obtaining an MBA through the UEA as well as a being Chartered in Consultancy & Management. He specialises in providing practical business support for our tech community and connecting customers with like-minded individuals through our commercial networks and the University.

Georgina
Watts
Assistant Centre Manager
Georgina Watts
Georgina comes to Oxford Innovation with a wealth of knowledge and experience in operations and customer service, within the retail sector. She is looking forward to working with the team, managing day-to-day centre operations and helping the centre to flourish. Georgina really enjoys meeting people and loves spending time with her family camping and going on bike rides.

Bryony
Shuter
Customer Experience Assistant
Bryony Shuter

Natasha
Miller
Customer Experience Assistant
Natasha Miller
Natasha’s background starts with a long history in the service industry, after studying Hospitality she built a career in hotels and customer service. Taking a break to raise a family, she retrained in childcare and ran her own successful childcare business locally in Colchester. Now her children are growing up she has decided to return to her customer service background and is looking to progress her business acumen and support the functions of the centres businesses whilst helping her personal growth and development.
Interested in joining our tech community?

Find out how our customers are thriving at ICKG
Grow your innovative business at the University of Essex’s Knowledge Gateway.
For more information about pricing, availability, or to arrange a virtual or socially distanced tour, please get in touch.
10 minutes from Colchester High Street
26 miles from Chelmsford on the A12
46 minutes from London Liverpool Street
30 miles to London Stansted Airport