DFI has launched Techbox, a £500 million industrial platform focused on investing in technology-led industrial assets located near research institutions and innovation hubs across the UK.

As part of the platform’s launch, DFI has acquired Catalyst Bicester, a leading technology park in Oxfordshire, for £90 million. The acquisition marks the first investment for the Techbox platform and represents a significant step in DFI’s strategy to grow a portfolio of industrial real estate assets that support the UK’s innovation economy.

Catalyst Bicester is home to advanced engineering and design companies including Tesla, Evolito, and Yasa. The estate features bespoke, high-specification buildings designed for research, development, and manufacturing uses, serving as a key hub within one of the UK’s fastest-growing innovation regions. The site also has planning permission for expansion, with several development phases approved to deliver further high-quality employment space and attract additional investment.

The Techbox platform will focus on acquiring and developing industrial technology assets located close to research and knowledge centres across the country. It marks DFI’s entry into the UK industrial technology real estate sector, responding to growing market demand for modern, innovation-focused industrial space. The £90 million acquisition of Catalyst Bicester is a key early milestone in scaling the platform and building a national portfolio of high-quality, technology-driven industrial assets.