Working with London Gatwick
A strategic alliance driving innovation in Crawley and the Gatwick Diamond
Crawley Innovation Centre works in strategic alliance with London Gatwick, the UK’s second busiest airport, serving over 43 million passengers each year, and a major economic anchor for the Gatwick Diamond.
For businesses looking for innovation workspace in Crawley, this partnership creates practical opportunities to engage with real-world aviation, infrastructure and sustainability challenges just minutes from their office. Located less than 10 minutes from London Gatwick, Crawley Innovation Centre offers direct proximity to one of the UK’s most significant transport hubs.
The alliance supports innovation, entrepreneurship and sustainable business growth across Crawley, West Sussex and the wider Gatwick Diamond region.
What the alliance offers businesses
Businesses based at Crawley Innovation Centre benefit from structured opportunities, supported by in-house expertise to help turn those opportunities into growth.
Live innovation challenges
London Gatwick leads an annual innovation challenge focused on operational, engineering, digital and sustainability priorities. Companies at Crawley Innovation Centre can respond to clearly defined, real-world challenges with commercially relevant solutions.
Insight from a major international airport
Specialist colleagues from London Gatwick engage with the innovation centre community through networking events, briefings and knowledge-sharing sessions. This provides valuable insight into the operating environment, procurement landscape and long-term investment priorities of a global aviation business.
Access to a powerful regional network
As a major employer and supply-chain hub, London Gatwick plays a central role in the Gatwick Diamond economy. The alliance strengthens connections between startups, scaleups, SMEs and established organisations, helping ambitious businesses build partnerships that support growth, including potential commercial opportunities within Gatwick’s wider supply chain. However, the opportunities are open to a wide range of innovative businesses based at Crawley Innovation Centre.
In addition to these structured opportunities, being based at Crawley Innovation Centre places businesses in close proximity to Gatwick’s operational environment and wider supply chain. This creates potential for direct business-to-business opportunities, from developing new technologies and services to supporting operational, infrastructure and passenger experience challenges.
For innovative SMEs, this can provide a practical route to commercial engagement, pilot projects and longer-term partnerships, particularly in areas such as engineering, mobility, sustainability and digital systems.
Few innovation centres in the South East offer this level of direct engagement with a major international airport and its supply chain.
Who this is for
- Advanced engineering and manufacturing
- Clean energy, net zero and sustainability
- Digital, data and AI-led services
- Aviation, transport and infrastructure innovation
However, the opportunities are open to a wide range of innovative businesses based at Crawley Innovation Centre.
What our partners say
Working with London Gatwick is a significant milestone for Crawley Innovation Centre and Oxford Innovation Space. This collaboration opens doors for businesses to engage with one of the UK’s most important transport hubs, creating exciting opportunities for innovation and growth.”
Neil Griffin, Business Support Director,
Oxford Innovation Space
London Gatwick is delighted to be working in partnership with Oxford Innovation Space to provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs, startups and SMEs. As a regional economic anchor with an extensive supply chain, we recognise the importance of helping early-stage businesses grow and supporting the local innovation ecosystem.”
Richard Lennard, Economic Partnerships Manager,
London Gatwick
Built-in support to help you make the most of it
What sets Crawley Innovation Centre apart is the hands-on business support available alongside your workspace.
Working with our on-site Innovation Director, you’ll have access to the expertise, networks and opportunities needed to turn connections into real business growth.
Support includes:
- access to finance and funding opportunities
- introductions to key partners and collaborators
- opportunities to engage in innovation challenges
- peer-to-peer networking within the centre and wider network
- connections to industry specialists and advisors
- bespoke mentoring and coaching tailored to your business
Your Innovation Director is also part of a wider team across 30+ centres in the UK and Ireland, giving you access to a broader network of expertise, contacts and growth opportunities.
Why choose Crawley Innovation Centre?
Located in the Manor Royal Business District – one of the South East’s largest and most established business locations – Crawley Innovation Centre combines flexible workspace with direct access to innovation, collaboration and growth opportunities.
Being based near London Gatwick gives businesses:
- close proximity to a major international transport hub
- access to regional supply chains and investment activity
- a well-connected location within the Gatwick Diamond
- an environment designed to support innovation and growth
For businesses looking for workspace near London Gatwick, Crawley Innovation Centre offers a practical, well-connected base with access to opportunities beyond the workspace itself.
Explore workspace in Crawley
If you’re looking for innovation space in Crawley or workspace near London Gatwick, we’d be delighted to show you around. Explore our spaces or book a tour to see how Crawley Innovation Centre can support your next stage of growth.