Oxfordshire’s best to gather as significant event for the county’s business owners and entrepreneurs is announced
Mar 18, 2026
One of Oxfordshire’s fastest growing events for the county’s businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs is returning later this year, it has been announced.
Enterprise Oxfordshire Business’ Marketplace and Celebration Event will return later this year, heading to Oxford Town Hall on 4 November.
Bringing together dozens of people from Oxfordshire’s business community, the event showcases a wide range of organisations through a special marketplace arrangement and awards.
The event was announced at last night’s (17 March) OxBoOSt event at Westgate Oxford Library – itself now a staple in the county’s ongoing business networking calendar.
It is expected that this year’s event will follow in the footsteps of previous gatherings, which have created a critical space for leaders and entrepreneurs to network, share business ideas and celebrate commercial achievements.
Last year’s event – which was also held at the city’s Town Hall – brought together around 200 people from across the county, representing a range of sectors.
The event forms part of Enterprise Oxfordshire Business’ commitment to the county’s business community – whether organisations are starting out, growing or taking on a new challenge – by creating a platform for businesses to showcase their products and services, while also celebrating success through a series of special awards chosen by business peers.
All categories across the awards are completely free for businesses and individuals to enter.
This latest announcement comes at a time when the impact of Growth Hubs in the region – of which Enterprise Oxfordshire Business is one – has been highlighted in a new report.
The Growth Hub Cluster Impact Report, which analysed support delivered by Growth Hubs in Oxfordshire (Enterprise Oxfordshire Business), the South Midlands, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, and New Anglia collectively between April 2020 and March 2025, revealed the significant effect being made across the region.
Overall impacts over the five year period included:
- Supporting 92,719 businesses
- Delivering 178,563 hours of business support
- Enabling 3,934 new business start ups
- Helping to create 6,970 jobs
- Helping to safeguard 6,093 jobs
Meanwhile, for every £1 of core Government funding, the Cluster attracted an additional £24 to support SME growth, while also delivering £35 of economic and social value.
Given this legacy of impact, Enterprise Oxfordshire Business believes this – coupled with significant networking and showcasing opportunities like OxBoOSt and the Marketplace and Celebration Event – should encourage businesses and entrepreneurs to access support.
Sarah Beal of Enterprise Oxfordshire Business, said: “Our track record of impact, combined with opportunities like OxBoOSt and the Marketplace and Celebration Event, shows the real value of engaging with Enterprise Oxfordshire Business.
“These platforms give businesses and entrepreneurs the chance to connect, showcase what they do and access the support that can help them take their next step with confidence.”
To take part in the Marketplace and Celebration Event – whether as an exhibitor or to be nominated for an award – businesses or individuals should have engaged with Enterprise Oxfordshire Business at any point since April 2022.
A full list of award categories, sponsors and details on how businesses can exhibit their products or services at the event can be found on the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business website.
Sarah Beal added: “Events like this, alongside our wider Growth Hub support, demonstrate the real impact that targeted, accessible business support can have.
“Whether a business is just starting out or looking to scale, we want to encourage people across the county to engage with us, access support and be part of Oxfordshire’s growing business community.”
Enterprise Oxfordshire became the new trading name of OxLEP in April last year, marking the completion of a two year transition that saw local economic development functions move under arrangements agreed by Oxfordshire County Council.
The council now acts as Enterprise Oxfordshire’s sole shareholder under a Teckal company arrangement.
To find out more, head to the Enterprise Oxfordshire Business website.