More than 200 jobs in 35 new companies have been created through a £7m Oxfordshire business angels network making the county a UK leader.

The Oxfordshire Investment Opportunity Network was awarded a Certificate of Merit from Business Link Heart of England, which has backed the network to the tune of almost £100,000 since it was founded six years ago, for passing the landmark figure and for an outstanding contribution to innovation.

OION, which brings together companies seeking finance with investors wanting to put money into high risk ventures, looks set to clinch 21 deals this year tripling last year's previous record. With four events in the next four months, the network is expecting further record achievements.

Network manager George Whitehead said: "This year has beaten all expectations and is proving to be a highly successful and exciting time. In just one year the number of investors has doubled.

"All this points to Oxfordshire placing itself firmly on the map as being the UK centre for technology and, not surprisingly, it is attracting a great deal of interest at home and abroad.

"We are a mirror of the opportunities in Oxfordshire at the moment. Technology has boomed here and there are some canny investors and quick thinking companies who are ready to reap the rewards."

Business Link director, Colin Alexander, who is also chairman of OION, said: "According to figures from the British Venture Capital Association, OION is one of the most successful networks in the country."

OION is staging an event on November 28 at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Didcot.

*More information is available from George Whitehead on 01865 811127 or Paul Coleman on 01235 468000.