About Us
A purpose-built hub of science and technology innovation
Launched in November 2019, Grassroots is a collaborative space for talented entrepreneurs who are starting out, with opportunities to mix and join forces with postgraduates, professors, and investors.
With an impressive array of entrepreneurs at our specialist base in Oxford and a supportive team offering advice and expertise, you can trust that Grassroots is the perfect place to put down roots and grow your business.
We make sure success is on the cards for each of our customers, thanks to our easily accessible location – close to bicycle parking, public transport links, the A40, A34 and major road links – as well as the specialism-diverse community we are connected to. Joining us means you will benefit not only from the support of a vibrant network but also be part of something bigger. Here, it’s possible to tap into hundreds of innovative minds from different science and technology industries and use that knowledge to collaborate with others and thrive.Central Oxford Location
- Short walk from Oxford’s main station
- Great links to major road links M40, A34 and A40
- Bus stops directly outside
- Walking distance to Oxford High Street
Owned by: Oxford Science Enterprises
Oxford Science Enterprises is an early-stage investment firm based in Oxford. It operates in partnership with the University of Oxford, as the University’s preferred investor and several prominent financiers back the firm, including Google Ventures. The firm uses academic research from the university’s science departments to form commercial businesses, also known as spinouts. Since their first investment in November 2015, OSI has been helping Oxford scientists address the world’s leading challenges, from infectious disease to sustainable energy
Managed by: Oxford Innovation Space
We’re part of Oxford Innovation Space – the largest operator of innovation centres in the UK, with a network of 30+ spaces that nurture businesses of all sizes by providing flexible workspace options, expert business support, and partnerships with local enterprise ecosystems.
Meet the experienced team growing the Grassroots community and supporting business success
Anna Goodman
Centre Manager
Originally from West Sussex and living in Oxfordshire for the first time, Anna is a people focused manager with a passion for building supportive, community driven environments. She believes work should be enjoyable—after all, we spend too much of our lives working not to have fun—and she brings that positive, energising mindset into everything she does, including her ongoing BSc in Psychology, fuelled by her interest in how people think, work, and connect. Anna is powered almost entirely by tea, which she considers essential for both a productive day and maintaining a smiley disposition.
Originally from West Sussex and living in Oxfordshire for the first time, Anna is a people focused manager with a passion for building supportive, community driven environments. She believes work should be enjoyable—after all, we spend too much of our lives working not to have fun—and she brings that positive, energising mindset into everything she does, including her ongoing BSc in Psychology, fuelled by her interest in how people think, work, and connect. Anna is powered almost entirely by tea, which she considers essential for both a productive day and maintaining a smiley disposition.
Johanne Morgan-Smith
Assistant Centre Manager
With over 25 years of experience in customer focused roles, Jo knows how to keep things running smoothly — even when Murphy’s Law tries its best to interfere. She enjoys creating an environment where people feel supported, understood, and able to get on with their day hassle free. Outside of work, Jo is an avid reader and a committed “recipe collector.” She loves discovering new dishes on TikTok, enthusiastically bookmarking them… and then never quite getting around to making them (even when she writes them down!). And don’t worry — the red hair and South African accent aren’t something to fear. She’s always happy to help.
With over 25 years of experience in customer focused roles, Jo knows how to keep things running smoothly — even when Murphy’s Law tries its best to interfere. She enjoys creating an environment where people feel supported, understood, and able to get on with their day hassle free. Outside of work, Jo is an avid reader and a committed “recipe collector.” She loves discovering new dishes on TikTok, enthusiastically bookmarking them… and then never quite getting around to making them (even when she writes them down!). And don’t worry — the red hair and South African accent aren’t something to fear. She’s always happy to help.
Lanabelle Arcilla
Customer Experience Assistant
Raised in Oxford and now with over a year of experience as a CEA at Grassroots, Lana brings a vibrant, youthful energy to the team. She’s always happy to lend a hand—whether it’s needing someone to talk to, or if the coffee machine/printer is acting up (she will simply press every single button until it magically starts working again). Lana is an Oxford Brookes University graduate with a BSc in Digital Media Production. Outside of work, she’s a passionate dancer who mainly specialises in hip hop—and knows how to make a mean matcha latte!
Raised in Oxford and now with over a year of experience as a CEA at Grassroots, Lana brings a vibrant, youthful energy to the team. She’s always happy to lend a hand—whether it’s needing someone to talk to, or if the coffee machine/printer is acting up (she will simply press every single button until it magically starts working again). Lana is an Oxford Brookes University graduate with a BSc in Digital Media Production. Outside of work, she’s a passionate dancer who mainly specialises in hip hop—and knows how to make a mean matcha latte!
Micah Bhatti
Customer Experience Assistant
Born and raised in Oxford, Micah brings a friendly, organised approach to the team, along with a strong background in administration—particularly in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is passionate about creating welcoming environments where everyone feels supported and is always happy to help keep things running smoothly around the centre (or at least look like she knows what she’s doing while figuring it out). Outside of work, Micah is a big fan of live music and can usually be found at a concert or festival whenever possible. She also loves travelling, watching films and diligently updating her Letterboxd like it’s a second job, as well as filming makeup videos and experimenting with creative content online. Proud of her Indian heritage, she enjoys learning more about her culture and history whenever she can. With a keen interest in social media and events, Micah is excited to bring plenty of fun, community-focused events to Grassroots Workspace—hopefully adding a little Gen Z flair along the way.
Born and raised in Oxford, Micah brings a friendly, organised approach to the team, along with a strong background in administration—particularly in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is passionate about creating welcoming environments where everyone feels supported and is always happy to help keep things running smoothly around the centre (or at least look like she knows what she’s doing while figuring it out). Outside of work, Micah is a big fan of live music and can usually be found at a concert or festival whenever possible. She also loves travelling, watching films and diligently updating her Letterboxd like it’s a second job, as well as filming makeup videos and experimenting with creative content online. Proud of her Indian heritage, she enjoys learning more about her culture and history whenever she can. With a keen interest in social media and events, Micah is excited to bring plenty of fun, community-focused events to Grassroots Workspace—hopefully adding a little Gen Z flair along the way.
Rob Nicoll
Innovation Director
Rob enjoys over 20 years of experience building companies that are high growth operating in the compliance sectors. He has extensive business experience, having floated, acquired, delisted, de-merged, and sold companies here in the UK and in the USA. Shareholder value and getting your business fit for sale has been an important part of his journey over the last 10 years. Now Rob is a Director and investor in a number of small companies but also enjoys working for a large VC backed UK operation, alongside his work at Oxford Innovation.
Rob enjoys over 20 years of experience building companies that are high growth operating in the compliance sectors. He has extensive business experience, having floated, acquired, delisted, de-merged, and sold companies here in the UK and in the USA. Shareholder value and getting your business fit for sale has been an important part of his journey over the last 10 years. Now Rob is a Director and investor in a number of small companies but also enjoys working for a large VC backed UK operation, alongside his work at Oxford Innovation.
