What is the AgileLab?
The AgileLab is a wet lab, co-working facility with a range of shared equipment to use, a dedicated lab technician and adjoining office space. It offers access to your own dedicated lab bench and office hot desk, providing flexible, low-cost space to support the early stages of commercialising scientific research. It provides low overhead, low commitment space within a wider entrepreneurial environment.
With 15 start-ups supported to date, AgileLab tenants benefit from one-to-one support (e.g., assistance with seeking future funding), networking opportunities with businesses on site and access to seminars and workshops. We can also help with sourcing access to equipment within the university, including the characterisation and prototyping services hosted by the Department of Materials on site at Begbroke.
The AgileLab was established in 2019 by the University of Oxford and the European Regional Development Fund.
Who is the AgileLab suitable for?
- Pre-start-up science entrepreneurs looking to complete short-term proof of concept experiments required for funding applications
- University researchers undertaking experiments to confirm research impact prior to company incorporation
- Newly formed SMEs developing their pipeline before expansion
What facilities and equipment do AgileLab tenants have access to?
Facilities & Services
- Individual bench space (approximately 1.8m), drawer, cupboard and shelving – suitable for one scientist per company
- On-site support by qualified laboratory technician
- Desk and locker in open plan office
- High-speed internet
- Free OBN membership
- A reception service to receive calls, deliveries and guests (during core hours)
- Shower rooms, lockers, secure bicycle and car parking
- Use of on-site conference facilities
- Further access to a wide range of support within the University
- Use of on-site restaurants and coffee shop
- Access to on-site events and social activities
Equipment
- Externally ducted fume cupboards
- Gases: nitrogen, compressed air
- Rotary evaporator and chiller
- De-ionised water supply
- Analytical balances
- Stirrer hotplates
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Ice maker
- Heater plates/blocks
- Chemicals/solvent storage
- General laboratory glassware and consumables
What other access do AgileLab tenants receive:
- The Prototyping Lab – which hosts a suite of 3D printers:
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- Form 2 – 3D printing (down to 25 μm) from liquid resin to hardened plastic using Low Force Stereolithography (LFS) ™ technology. Build volume of 14.5 × 14.5 × 18.5cm
- Ultimaker S5 – dual extrusion 3D printing (down to 20 μm) from a range of plastics/composites. Build volume of 33 x 24 x 30 cm
- Markforged Onyx – carbon fibre 3D printing (100 μm) for Industrial grade parts. Build volume 32 x 13.2 x 15.4 cm
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- The Oxford Materials Characterisation Service – which offers a comprehensive service for the investigation of materials and materials related problems including:
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- Microscopy
- Surface analysis
- X-ray techniques
- Molecular spectroscopy
- Thermal analysis
- Particle size analysis
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- The Nano Fabrication Cleanroom – which hosts a suite of equipment, including:
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- e-beaevaporator
- PECVD
- photolithography
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Contact
To enquire about the availability and suitability of the AgileLab space, please contact agilelab@begbroke.ox.ac.uk
Download the AgileLab Flyer
Centre for Innovation and Enterprise
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