Join Our Festive “Name the Reindeer” Competition!
2025-12-01 08:30 - 2025-12-19 17:00 UTC | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
As the festive season approaches, we’re delighted to kick things off with a fun Christmas competition to bring some holiday cheer to the building. You may have already seen the posters displayed downstairs, but we wanted to provide you with the full details on how you can take part — and be in with a chance of winning our charming festive reindeer friend! 🎄

We are inviting you to help us choose a creative and original name for our reindeer. As hinted on the poster, Rudolph is off the table, so we encourage you to think outside the sleigh! 🛷

To enter, simply visit Reception, where you’ll find our sign-up sheet. Please write your name alongside your suggested reindeer name. You may see previous entries, but we kindly ask that each name suggestion is unique. This competition is in support of The Gatehouse Oxford. They are a local charity that support the homeless and vulnerably housed community. To enter we are asking for a small donation via the QR code below.❄️

On 19th December, all submitted names will be entered into a raffle, and one lucky winner will be selected at random. The winner will then get to take home our newly-named festive companion! 🎁

The competition opens today, and we can’t wait to see your imaginative ideas. 🔔

Winter-Appeal-25-26-flyer-Final

The Gatehouse Christmas Gift Appeal
2025-12-01 08:30 - 2025-12-19 17:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
This year, we are proud to support a remarkable local charity: The Gatehouse. Since 1988, The Gatehouse has been a lifeline for Oxford’s homeless and vulnerably housed community. From their welcoming drop-in centre on Woodstock Road, they offer warmth, safety, food, clothing, activities, and—perhaps most importantly—a sense of belonging to adults who are struggling or simply seeking companionship.
As the holiday season approaches, The Gatehouse is running a Christmas Gift Appeal to gather essential supplies for Christmas Day and to stock their clothing store for those in need throughout 2026.
Your donation, no matter the size, can help make someone’s Christmas warmer, brighter, and filled with hope. It’s a chance to give comfort to someone who may be facing the holidays alone—and to help The Gatehouse continue their invaluable work well into the year ahead.
Please bring donations to reception by the 19th of December.
Thank you for considering a gift that truly makes a difference. ❤️

The Wire Launch Party
2025-12-04 12:00 - 14:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
To celebrate the launch of The Wire among all the centre’s, we are hosting a pizza party in Grassroots.
Join us for a slice and learn more about how The Wire can benefit you and your business.
You can sign up via this link.
Grassroots Kitchen. Midday. Thursday 4th December

Brew Monday
2026-01-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
As we start the new year, we’d love to shine a light on something that makes Grassroots truly special — our community.
Working at Grassroots places you in a unique environment where meaningful connections can happen naturally throughout your working day. We want to encourage that sense of togetherness by supporting the cross-pollination of businesses: growing your network, sharing ideas, and helping one another thrive.
To kick this off, we’re hosting a Brew Monday event designed to bring people together in a simple, relaxed way. Join us for a tea or coffee, enjoy a sweet treat, and take the opportunity to chat with someone you haven’t spoken to before. Whether it’s a new face or someone you pass every day, you never know where a conversation might lead.
📅 Monday 19th January⏰ Midday📍 Grassroots
Come along, take a break, and get to know your community — one brew at a time ☕🍰

International Day of Women and Girls in Science
2026-02-11 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
On 11 February, we are proud to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with an exhibition celebrating influential women who have shaped science throughout history.
From groundbreaking discoveries to quiet revolutions, these stories highlight the vital contributions of women whose work continues to inspire today.
Alongside the exhibition, we invite visitors to support the Oxford Hub, helping to empower communities and create opportunities for the next generation of changemakers.
You can find the donation page here: TotalGiving™ – International Day of Women and Girls in Science – Oxford Hub – Fundraising Page

Cultivate Growth: Capitalising on Trade Secrets & IP
2026-02-11 12:00 - 14:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
Whether you’re scaling a startup, exploring new markets, or building leadership skills, this series offers something for everyone.

Speaker: Dom Icely, Impact IP
Lunch Provided | 🤝Networking Opportunity
RSVP now to secure your spot or reach out if you’d like more details.
Looking forward to seeing you there!

National Love Your Pet Day
2026-02-20 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
February 20th is National Love Your Pet Day, and we’re ready to celebrate the furry, feathery, and scaly friends who steal our hearts! 💕
To celebrate we’d love for our members to share their cutest pet photos so we can create an adorable Grassroots Pets Board.
Please send photos and names of your pets to OSE@OXIN.CO.UK to be featured by the end of February.

World Book Day
2026-03-05 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
To celebrate World Book Day, we’re delighted to promote the Grassroots Book Club and welcome new faces to join us.
Welcome to our Grassroots Book Club — a relaxed and friendly group for anyone who enjoys reading and chatting about books together.
Our theme is Oxford — whether that means books set in the city, written by authors with Oxford connections, published by Oxford University Press, or inspired by its rich history and atmosphere. To keep things fresh and exciting, we choose a different genre each time.
We’re intentionally informal: there’s never any obligation to finish — or even start — the book to come along. If you’re curious about the theme, enjoy good conversation, or just want to take a break in the middle of the day, you’re very welcome to pop by.
Next meeting: 11th March, 12–1pm, HinshelwoodCurrent book: An Instance of the Fingerpost by Iain Pears
If you’d like to know more or sign up for the book club mailing list, please contact arumianek@cardiatec.ai.
We’d love to see you there!

Unlock Opportunities in the UK Defence Sector – Lunch with Make UK Defence
2026-03-20 13:00 - 14:30 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
Join us for a casual lunch to explore how Make UK Defence can open doors in the UK defence sector!

Unlock Opportunities in the UK Defence Sector – Lunch with Andrew Kinniburgh, Director General, Make UK Defence
Are you a small business leader looking to explore new growth opportunities in one of the UK’s most important industries? Join us for an exclusive networking lunch with Andrew Kinniburgh, Director General of Make UK Defence, and gain first-hand insights into how the Ministry of Defence is expanding its work with SMEs.
This event isn’t just for established defence suppliers — far from it.
Businesses from all sectors and technology areas are encouraged to attend. Whether you’re working in digital, engineering, manufacturing, data, sustainability, AI, professional services, or beyond, the MOD is increasingly looking for innovative solutions from non-traditional suppliers.

During this informal session, you will:

Understand the evolving UK defence supply landscape and where new opportunities are emerging
Learn how the MOD is adapting its procurement approach to increase SME involvement
Ask questions directly to industry leaders in a relaxed, conversational setting
Connect with other small business owners exploring diversification into defence

Spaces are limited, making this a valuable opportunity to hear from experts, share ideas, and understand how your capabilities — defence-based or not — can support this critical national sector.

Who should attend
Small business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators from any industry who have an interest in exploring opportunities within the UK defence sector. No prior defence experience required.

Don’t miss this chance to position your business at the forefront of defence innovation — reserve your place today.

Red Nose Day + International Day of Happiness
2026-03-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
Join us in the Grassroots Kitchen on 20th March from 1–3pm as we celebrate Red Nose Day and the International Day of Happiness with a community bake sale!
Whether you’re a star baker or trying your hand at something sweet for the first time, we’d love your contributions. Homemade or shop-bought, cakes, cookies, brownies, or savoury treats — all baked goods are warmly welcomed. Most importantly, it’s about coming together to share a little joy and raise money for a great cause.
Come along to enjoy some delicious treats, support fundraising efforts, and take a moment to celebrate happiness together. And don’t forget to wear something red to mark the occasion!
We can’t wait to see you there. 🍰❤️

Scale by Design: Building Systems for Sustainable Growth
2026-03-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Growing a business shouldn’t feel like holding everything together with sheer willpower. In this masterclass, we explore what it truly means to scale with intention rather than by accident.
Drawing on real founder challenges and practical frameworks, this session reveals the three biggest scaling pain points- loss of control, culture dilution, and operational friction- and shows you how to overcome them with a systems‑led approach.
You’ll learn how to identify which growth archetype your business is currently operating in – Accidental, Vanity, or Value – and how to transition to a model that is predictable, profitable, and resilient. We’ll unpack the “Power of No,” the four pillars of intentional growth, and how to productise your culture so it strengthens rather than strains as headcount grows.
Expect practical, founder‑friendly tools including the RASCI model, the Intentional Flywheel, and the Financial Clarity framework, all designed to help you build a business that operates smoothly without relying solely on founder “magic.”
This session is for founders and leaders who want to:

Build systems that reduce chaos and bottlenecks

Strengthen culture as the team expands

Make strategic, data‑driven decisions

Move from reactive growth to sustainable momentum

Create a business that is scalable – and scalable on purpose

Join us and take the first step toward building a company that grows stronger, not just bigger.

Wine Down Relaunch 🍕
2026-03-27 15:00 - 16:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
We’re excited to announce the return of our Wine Down event!

Join us on Friday 17th from 3–4pm for an hour of great conversation, community spirit, and a well‑deserved break.
We’ll be serving wine and pizza, and creating a relaxed space where our Grassroots members can connect with one another, take a breather from the week, and enjoy a stronger sense of community across the building.
April also marks Stress Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to pause, unwind, and support one another’s wellbeing.
You’ll also have the chance to meet and network with the Centre Team, who will be on hand throughout the event.
We can’t wait to see you there and raise a glass together! 🍷✨

Happy Easter 🐰🍫
2026-04-01 - 2026-04-02 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
Get ready for some Easter fun!

On 1st–2nd April, a group of cheeky little chicks will be hiding themselves all around Grassroots… and we need your help to find them!
If you spot one of our hidden chicks, simply bring it to Reception and you’ll receive a chocolate egg as your reward.
It’s a light-hearted way to take a break, explore the space, and join in a bit of seasonal fun with your fellow members.
Happy hunting — and Happy Easter! 🌼🐥

Wine Down Relaunch 🍕
2026-05-22 15:00 - 16:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
We’re excited to announce the return of our Wine Down event!

Join us on Friday 22nd May from 3–4pm for an hour of great conversation, community spirit, and a well‑deserved break.
We’ll be serving wine and pizza, and creating a relaxed space where our Grassroots members can connect with one another, take a breather from the week, and enjoy a stronger sense of community across the building.
You’ll also have the chance to meet and network with the Centre Team, who will be on hand throughout the event.
We can’t wait to see you there and raise a glass together! 🍷✨

Cultivate Growth: Business Leader Development
2026-06-02 | Online
The Cultivate Growth programme started in October 2025, and since then there have been a series of face to face meetings, combined with podcasts, and general support for our business leaders. Our ambition has to been to provide a structured course for business leaders to supplement our programme. Something to cover leadership, sales, finance, etc. in a bite sized pieces and in a digestible format.
We are delighted to announcement that we are working with Oxford Brookes University to deliver that business leader training, and promoting their Help to Grow programme. This course would normally cost £750* but there is currently a grant that covers this cost. It is 12 weeks long and the syllabus is just the sort of thing that I wish was available to me 25 years ago. Don’t fret, much of the training is done online, so it’s not a weekly hike to Headington but now we have ubers, even those trips are less painful.
I would encourage people to take a serious look at this. The details are outlined below:
Practical leadership development for ambitious small business leaders
Help to Grow: Management is a flagship, government‑backed leadership and management programme designed to help small and medium-sized businesses unlock sustainable growth. Developed and delivered by expert business schools accredited by the Small Business Charter, the course supports leaders to build confidence, capability and a clear plan for the future.
What is the course?
This 12‑week programme blends practical learning with real-world application. It is specifically created for SME leaders who want to strengthen their strategic skills while continuing to run their business. The course combines:
12 structured modules
Peer group learning sessions
One-to-one mentoring with an experienced business mentor
From the very first session, participants begin developing a Growth Action Plan, ensuring learning translates directly into measurable business improvement.
What will participants learn?
The curriculum focuses on the core areas that drive productivity, resilience and long-term success. Key themes include:
Strategy and innovation – clarifying direction, strengthening competitive advantage and identifying growth opportunities
Digital transformation – understanding how digital adoption can improve efficiency and scalability
Customer engagement and marketing – building demand through clearer value propositions and targeted marketing strategies
Leadership and culture – enhancing employee engagement, purpose and organisational resilience
Responsible business and performance – improving financial management and sustainable business practices.
Who is it for?
The course is open to UK businesses that:
Have been operating for more than one year
Employ 5–249 people
Are led by a senior decision-maker such as a founder, director or senior manager
The programme is ideal for leaders who may be technical experts or experienced managers but want formal development to support the next stage of business growth.
Why join?
Participants benefit from:
Practical, immediately applicable learning
Expert academic insight aligned to real SME challenges
Peer support and shared learning across sectors
Continued access to a national alumni network of business leaders and free events after completion.
With 93% of participants saying they would recommend the course, Help to Grow: Management is already making a tangible difference to thousands of UK businesses.
A unique opportunity to grow with confidence
Whether you are planning your next phase of expansion, navigating uncertainty, or looking to professionalise how your business is run, Help to Grow: Management provides the tools, confidence and support to lead with purpose and drive lasting performance improvement.
The next course starts on the 2nd June and you can easily register online (Register onto a course | Small Business Charter). Remeber this course is currently free, please be sure to select ‘Innovation Oxf‘ when you see the section about ‘how you heard about the course’.
* – the £750 funding is subject to meeting the universities criteria for entry into the programme.

Innovation Roadshow 2026: Grassroots
2026-06-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Grassroots Workspace, 46 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HT, United Kingdom
The Innovation Roadshow is on its way to Oxford.

Innovation involves challenging the status quo, thinking outside the box, and taking calculated risks to drive progress and achieve breakthrough outcomes.
Innovate UK grants provide opportunities for UK businesses to drive growth by innovating, developing novel and enhanced products, processes, or services.
Join Monika Dabrowska, the Director of Innovaction Global and a Monitoring Service Provider at Innovate UK, for an exclusive Innovation Roadshow workshop. Monika will share practical tools and three key focus areas to strengthen your grant applications:

Identifying Project Problem
Fostering Innovation
Evaluating Project Impact

She will also reveal her 10 Top Tips for preparing a successful Innovate UK proposal, increasing your chances of securing funding.
Make your funding journey less worrying and join our interactive workshop at the Grassroots in Oxford where we will provide more information and answer any questions you may have.
Who should attend?
This workshop is ideal for both newcomers to Innovate UK funding and those looking to strengthen their grant application skills.
The event is aimed at Founders, Managing Directors and Senior Managers of:

Innovative businesses
Currently engaged in or planning R&D projects
Interested in applying for Innovate UK grants in the near future.

Registration opens from 9:30am. There will be refreshments throughout the event.
Places are limited to 20 attendees; an early response is recommended.
About the presenter
Monika Dabrowska is the Founder & Director of Innovaction Global, an innovation consulting company that helps organisations improve performance and achieve their goals and vision by raising grants and managing R&D funded projects.
Monika is also a Monitoring Service Provider at Innovate UK. She is assigned to successful grant application projects and is a key point of contact for participants.
Monika has 15 years of experience in obtaining EU and UK funding and providing management for R&D and investment projects to public and private organisations. Working with maritime, healthcare, energy, and IT companies, she is adding value to teams looking for intelligent, insightful information.
