Developing a Business Idea or Startup
If you have a business idea or are starting a startup, there are plenty of opportunities to develop your skills, networks and business.
There is something for everyone here, regardless of your startup idea, background, type of business, or startup stage.
Check out our top picks, then use the filters below to further customise your search.
I Have a Great Idea. . . Now What?
You finally found a great startup idea – what are the next steps?
Fundamentals of Starting a UK Business
Government Advice and information for starting a business in the UK
Business Plans and More
Guidance on writing Business Plans and other important documents from UK sources.
Basics of Pitching
Some basic advice on how to be persuasive when pitching your startup idea.
Finding Funding: An Overview
A short list of the different business idea funding options that a startup could choose.
Entrepreneurship @ Oxford
Our handy map shows you how to navigate the Oxford entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Looking for something specific?
Click on the categories below to narrow down your search.
1a Newtec Place
Flexible office space in East Oxford. You’ll find other like-minded, small businesses here, run by people who appreciate the benefits of working in a friendly, productive office environment.
Bethnal Green Ventures
Invests in new ideas to fix social and environmental problems through an intensive three-month programme.
Panacea Stars
Panacea Stars collaborate with the most exciting sci-entrepreneurs to help transform bold visions into thriving companies.
Climate KIC
Helping climate related start-ups to connect with the right experts for their business to thrive.
Innovation Forum Oxford
The Innovation Forum seeks to promote innovation by building bridges between academia, industry and government.
Oxford Startups
Oxford Startups is a meetup for startups and people interested in the startup scene in Oxford.
Startups.co.uk
UK’s leading independent, online resource for anyone starting and growing a business, established in 2000.
Oxfordshire Business Support
A practical guide to supporting Oxfordshire businesses at all stages, by people with honest first-hand experience.
Oxfordshire Business Enterprises
For non-profit organisation providing free and impartial advice on a wide range of business issues from self-employment to forming a company and from marketing to book-keeping.
European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre (ESA BIC)
Cash incentive, access to facilities, and business development for space entrepreneurs.
Venturefest Oxford
An annual event that brings together innovators, investors and entrepreneurs within the high-tech sector.
Oxfordshire Social Entrepreneurship Partnership (OSEP)
OSEP has been set up to help existing and prospective social entrepreneurs plan, develop and grow their businesses across Oxfordshire.
Innovation for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Marketplace
Developing insights on navigating the innovation process from idea generation to commercialisation.
Skillshare: Online Courses (MOOC)
Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes in design, business, tech, and more.
Oxford Science Park
Offices, lab space, virtual offices and meeting space to start-up and growing companies.
OUI Startup Incubator
The Startup Incubator helps entrepreneur-driven ventures that are not University spinouts.
Entrepreneur First
Selects purely on the basis of technical talent, so you can apply before you have a team or an idea. Our intensive 7-month programme is designed to give you the best possible support in the first 100 days of your startup’s life.
Oxford Innospace
Leave your spare room behind and join us in our thriving co-working space for entrepreneurs, startups and freelancers.
Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship
The centre aims to maximise the impact of social entrepreneurship to transform unjust systems around the world.
Oxford Centre for Teaching and Learning
The Centre for Teaching and Learning provides voluntary courses for university and college staff at the University of Oxford.
The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH)
TORCH provides a range of training and development opportunities for early career researchers in Humanities.
Skoll World Forum
A three day event gathering 1000 delegates from the social, finance, private and public sectors, in Oxford.
Conted: The Management and Business Skills Programme
Intensive, one-day courses in a variety of subjects.
Oxford Biodesign
The Oxford Biodesign short programme aims to provide a short introduction to the Biodesign Process.
Tech City Digital Business Academy
Free online courses to help you start, grow or join a digital business.
Oxford Angels Network
A business angels network for investors and private companies interested in investing in spin-out companies from the University of Oxford.
Oxford Technology
For more than 30 years, Oxford Technology has specialised in investing in start-up and early stage technology companies based near Oxford.
Startup Visa Endorsement (was GEV)
A UK endorsement scheme for those wish to stay in the UK to develop their business ideas.
The Hill
A healthcare ideas lab, situated at the heart of Oxford’s medical, academic, digital and entrepreneurial communities.
OUI – Engaging with Humanities
Supporting the Humanities Division research, through enterprise, entrepreneurship and consultancy.
IT Innovation Challenge
Supporting small start-up digital projects that will bring a benefit to the University.
Skoll Scholarship
A competitive scholarship for incoming MBA students who pursue entrepreneurial solutions for urgent social and environmental challenges.
Map the System Global Challenge
Social change is complicated. Mapping is a way of understanding its complexities.
Skoll Venture Awards
Looking for ventures that get to the root of some of the significant issues affecting our world.
MBA Entrepreneurship Project (EP)
Challenging participants to develop a full business plan and present it to a panel of invited investors and other practitioners.
Oxford Sciences Innovation (OSI)
A preferred partner of the University of Oxford to provide capital to, and develop science spin-out companies.
The Oxford Foundry
A new entrepreneurial centre for the University of Oxford, supporting students to become more entrepreneurial people.
I Have a Great Idea. . . Now What?
Okay, you have a great business idea, which you have spent time and effort validating. And now, presto, you are ready to start a ...
I Have an Idea Related to Research… Now What?
As a student or researcher you need to know the rules around IP in the university.
Business Model Canvas Explained
The Business Model Canvas is a business tool used to visualise all the building blocks of starting a business
Fundamentals of Starting a Business in the UK
Six different steps listed to starting a business in the UK.
Business Plans and Other Important Documents
10 sections that could be included in your business plan.
Ideas for Your Business Model
Every business needs a business model. But what exactly is a business model?
What is an MVP (hint: it’s not the most valuable player)?
The most basic form of your idea that will generate the most interest/validation.
Entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries
Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship and creativity.
Oxford Hub
A centre for social action that’s open to everyone, and that takes a collaborative approach to solving some of today’s most pressing issues.
Are You Ready to Start a Business?
So you've been thinking about starting a venture recently, but how do you know if you actually are ready?
The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Oxford Explore and Build
A bit more in depth, a bit more work, but the effort will be worth it!
The Oxford Social Entrepreneur’s Journey
Useful information about social entrepreneurship in Oxfordshire.
Understanding Intellectual Property (IP)
As a student, you need to understand what IP is, who owns it, and what can be done with it before proceeding with an idea.
University of Oxford Entrepreneurship Support
Organisations and student groups providing opportunities to explore entrepreneurship in the University.
Free Entrepreneurship Online Courses and Activities
Looking for something to do from the comfort of your own home? Check out these free online entrepreneurship courses, videos and resources!
TED Talks for Entrepreneurs
TED Talks are a great source of information, advice and experience to help you with any idea you have, no matter what stage you are at.
Social Entrepreneurship: exploring the buzzword
Let's explore the buzzword that is increasingly featuring in the business and start-up sector.
Researchers: make a social impact
Incubators/Accelerator The Skoll Centre offers plenty of resources for researchers looking to make a social impact with their ...
Oxford Case Studies: SociAbility
Matt Pierri is the CEO and Co-founder of SociAbility, whose main aim is to map the accessibility of social spaces within Oxford’s 44 colleges and halls, as well as a broad sweep of social venues, including cafes, restaurants and bars in a dedicated app.
Oxford Case Studies: Boresha Technologies
Providing reliable and low-cost sources of working capital for small farmers.
Oxford Case Studies: Language Amigo
Language Amigo is a new way for students to improve their spoken Spanish by providing an income to LATAM youngsters, too.
Oxford Case Studies: VeriVin
Smart technology for identification and classification of complex liquids in sealed containers.
Oxford Case Studies: Pick Me Up Parcels
Emily Tench bagged a social enterprise award for Pick-Me-Up Parcels, a venture that does what it says on the parcel.
Oxford Case Studies: Mycelium
It is better to be extraordinary and fail, then try to be ordinary and succeed.
Oxford Case Studies: Project SOUP
Enjoying a simple bowl of soup for an evening can be the first step to making a number of positive changes in your community.
Startup Tips: Is my idea good enough?
Oxford student and alumni entrepreneurs give insightful advice about their startups
Startup Tips: What to do with your idea
Oxford student and alumni entrepreneurs give insightful advice about their startups
Startup Tips: Finding funding
Oxford student and alumni entrepreneurs give insightful advice about their startups
Startup Tips: Lessons from our students
Oxford student and alumni entrepreneurs give insightful advice about their startups
Oxford Case Studies – OxyClot
Training the next generation of global leaders in digital health innovation.
Keeping your Startup Idea in Good Shape
Some advice from the Founder of ChattyFeet to aspiring entrepreneurs.
The First Questions to Ask Yourself when You have that Big Idea Part 1
Dr Stuart Wilkinson gives advice on business ideas and how to manage them.
The First Questions to ask yourself when you have that big idea Part 2
Dr Stuart Wilkinson gives advice on business ideas and how to manage them.
The First questions to ask yourself when you have that big idea Part 3
Dr Stuart Wilkinson gives advice on business ideas and how to manage them.
The First Questions to ask yourself when you have that big idea Part 4
Dr Stuart Wilkinson gives advice on business ideas and how to manage them.
The ‘secret’ network that transformed my startup
An unusual type of network where you could build really good business relationships.
Enterprising Oxford’s Inaugural Pitch @ the Pub
Changing the world, one pair of pants and a radiator at a time.
“We are all going to change the world: it’s just where and how?”
Food for thoughts: measuring the impact of our lives.
Fireside Chat: Making Responsible Technology the New Normal
Alex Koelbl was in the audience when Yossi Vardi sat down with Martha Lane Fox to discuss her journey as an early tech innovator.
#StartedinOxford Demo Night – November 2018
Read our blog post from Megan Morys-Carter and see some photos from the night!
Tech hubs where your start-up can flourish
Workspace is about more than a desk: it’s about access to the right equipment, services, and facilities.
Jake Schofield – CEO and Co-Founder of Labstep
Jake Schofield is the CEO and Co-Founder of Labstep, a platform to help scientists capture and record their research experiment steps.
Jemma Phibbs and James Lloyd – Co-Directors of School Space
Jemma and James started School Space while running events in high school.
Charley Darbishire – CEO and Founder of Educake
Charley is the Founder and Managing Director of Educake, an online homework and revision application for secondary school science.
Alastair Sussock, Co-Founder of SafeBoda
Alastair Sussock is the Co-Founder of SafeBoda, an innovative solution to motorcycle taxi transportation in Africa.
Steven Zimmer, CEO of MitoDys Therapeutics
Steven Zimmer is the CEO of MitoDys Therapeutics, a drug discovery company.
Charlotte Stacey, Film Maker & Video Journalist
Charlotte is a freelance film-maker, journalist and media trainer based in Oxford.
Susan Burton, Founder of Classlist
Susan is the founder of Classlist, a vertical social network and platform for school parents.
Riham Satti, CEO and Co-founder of MeVitae
Riham is the Co-founder and CEO of MeVitae, a cognitive recruiting system that makes intelligent and personalised hiring decisions.
Patrick Beattie, Founder of Redbird Health Tech
Patrick is currently developing Redbird Health Tech, a medical diagnostics distributor expanding access to health care in Ghana.
Dominique Piche, Co-Founder of UPROSA
Dominique is the Co-founder and Creative Director of UPROSA, a brand that aims to bring real science into the consumer market.
Ekaterina Damer, CEO of Prolific Academic
Ekaterina (Katia) is the CEO and co-founder of Prolific, a crowdsourcing platform for paid participant recruitment.
Richard Snow, Co-founder and CEO of Oxford Wood Recycling
Richard is the CEO of Oxford Wood Recycling Ltd, a social enterprise recycling wood waste.
Dr Shisong Jiang, CTO of Oxford Vacmedix
Shisong Jiang is the CTO of Oxford Vacmedix, which has developed a technique to grow overlapping peptides in bacteria, for vaccines.
Jessica White, VP of Meet’n’Learn
Jessica White is the VP of Meet'n'Learn, a platform for online & offline tutoring.
James Nettleton, Founder of the Central Research Laboratory
James Nettleton is the Founder of the Central Research Laboratory (CRL) Programme.
Rajarshi Banerjee, CEO of Perspectum Diagnostics
Rajarshi is the CEO of Perspectum Diagnostics, detecting and quantitatively measuring of liver, gallbladder and pancreatic disease.
Dr Colin Story, Co-founder and CEO of OxSonics
Dr Colin Story is the Co-founder and CEO of OxSonics, an Oxford University spinout company developing a new generation of ultrasound devices.
Professor Hagan Bayley, Founder of Oxford Nanopore and OxSyBio
Hagan Bayley is the Founder of Oxford Nanopore and OxSyBio.
Karl Loo, Co-Founder and CEO of ServisHero
Karl Loo is the Co-founder and CEO of ServisHero, a mobile application that links consumers with local service providers.
Oliver Cox, Creator of Thames Valley Country House Partnership
A way of linking entrepreneurial ideas in the heritage sector with researchers.
Julian Jost, CEO of Spacebase
Julian Jost is the CEO of Spacebase, an online booking-platform for workshop spaces and meeting rooms.
Rowan Gardner, CEO of Ozo Innovations Ltd
Rowan Gardner is the CEO of Ozo Innovations Ltd (OZO), a company which develops oxidative solutions.
Alex Caccia – CEO of Animal Dynamics
Alex Caccia is a serial entrepreneur, with start-ups in hardware and software, as well as sports equipment.
Mike Piddock – Founder of Glisser
Mike Piddock is the Founder of Glisser, a presentation software business designed to engage audiences and gather data at live events.
Lucy Gadkari – CEO of MooDoo
Lucy is the Co-founder of moodoo, an app that lets you know which friends are nearby and what they’re in they're in the mood to do.
Professor Kieran Clarke, Founder of T∆S®
Kieran Clarke is Professor of Physiological Biochemistry and runs T∆S®, a spinout company.
Abhinav Jain – CEO of PowerMarket
Abhinav Jain is the CEO of PowerMarket, an online renewable energy assessment and marketplace.
Noam Angrist, Founder of Young 1ove
Noam Angrist is the Founder of Young 1ove, a Botswana based not-for-profit organisation, providing evidence-based sex education.
Nicholas Shekerdemian, Co-founder of Headstart App
Nicholas Shekerdemian is the Co-founder of HeadStart App, a revolutionary graduate recruitment platform.
Shrochis Karki, Founder of Samaanta Foundation
Shrochis is the Founder of Samaanta Foundation, an initiative that promotes equality and empowerment to poor students in Nepal.
Erik Abrahamsson, Founder and CEO of Digital Fineprint
Erik is the Founder and CEO of Digital Fineprint, a fintech startup that is turning social data into insurance data.
Alex Froom, Co-founder of Zipabout
Alex Froom is the Co-founder of Zipabout, an Intelligent Mobility project.
Peter Dobson, Founder of Oxonica, Oxford Biosensors, and Oxford NanoSystems
Peter Dobson is the Co- founder of Oxonica, Oxford Biosensors, and Oxford NanoSystems.
Irina Fedorenko, Co-founder of the Kindness Collective
Irina is a Weidenfeld Hoffman Trust scholar, and Co-founder of a social enterprise named Kindness Collective.
Professor Tom Brown, Co-founder of Oswel, ATDBio and PrimerDesign
Tom Brown is Professor of Nucleic Acid Chemistry at the University of Oxford, and Co-founder of several biotech companies.
Simon Hombersley, CEO of Oxford Flow
Simon Hombersley is the CEO of Oxford Flow, an engineering innovation business developing industrial technologies.
Stephen Patrick, CEO of Wireless Excellence
Stephen Patrick is the Founder and CEO of CableFree: Wireless Excellence, a leading Oxford based wireless telecommunications company.
Matthew de la Hey, Co-founder and CEO of inploi
Matthew is Co-founder & CEO of inploi, a London-based employment marketplace for the service economy.
Samuel Conway, CEO of Zegami Limited
Samuel Conway is the Co-founder and CEO of Zegami Limited, an intuitive data discovery image technology platform.
Dr Les Russell, CEO of OrganOx
Les has been the CEO of OrganOx, a University of Oxford spinout company, since its formation in 2008.
Christer Holloman, CEO and Co-founder of Divido
Christer Holloman is the CEO and Co-founder of Divido, a startup that lets consumers spread the cost of any purchase over a period.
John Miles, Founder of InkPath
Dr John Miles is the Founder of Inkpath, a skills tracking and career planning app.
Professor Dame Carol Robinson, Co-founder of OMass
A company studying proteins in their native folded states.
Sergiu Matei, Co-founder and CEO of TRAVOD
Sergiu is the Co-founder of Travod, a leading on-demand translation service platform.
Dr Alexander Reip, CEO of Oxford nanoSystems (OnS)
An innovative nanotech biz developing coatings to improve heat transfer in two phase systems.
Fujia Chen, Co-founder of Oxford Space Structures
Revolutionising baby products by using space technologies.
Ben Wilkins, Co-founder of Fluid Motion
Ben Wilkins is the Co-founder of Fluid Motion, a water-based rehabilitation programme designed to be fun and beneficial.
Sylvester Lewis, Co-founder and CEO of Suppa
Sylvester is Co-founder and CEO at Suppa, a social eating app that enables users to network with new people at restaurants, bars and cafes.
Stephen Barnett, Founder and CEO of Util
Stephen Barnett is the founder and CEO of Util, a company which seeks to lead the next generation of company assessment and valuation.
Grace Gibbons, Founder of Bounce Video
Grace Gibbons is the founder/creative director of Bounce Video, a film and marketing company based in Oxford.
Macarena Hernandez and Ana Maria Ñungo, Co-founders of Language Amigo
Macarena Hernandez and Ana Maria Ñungo are the founders of Language Amigo, connecting language ’Learners’ with native speaking ‘Amigos’.
Dan Holloway, Founder of Mycelium
Dan is the Founder of Mycelium, a creative thinking training tool and game.
Liz Eden, Co-founder of OpenBenches.org
Liz Eden is the Co-founder of OpenBenches.org, a way to record and celebrate the existence of memorial benches across the world.
Helen Wright, Founder and director of 9-2-3
Helen Wright is the Founder of 9-2-3, specialising in placing high quality professional candidates into jobs with flexible hours.
Andrew Rimmer, CEO of Opsydia
Andrew Rimmer is the CEO of Opsydia, set to bring significant security advances to the diamond gemstone market.
Deqian Jia, Co-founder of Schema
Deqian Jia is the Co-founder of Schema, a web-based note taking application.
Mariana Morris, Founder of Fruto
Mariana is Founder and Director of Fruto, a digital experience design studio.
Emily (Man Ting) Kwong, Co-founder of InVent
Emily Kwong is a biomedical engineer and a co-founder of InVent, a solution for weaning hospital patients off mechanical ventilation.
Prof. David Edwards, Founder of Oxford Enhanced Medical
Prof. David Edwards currently serves as Founder Director and Chief Technology Officer for Oxford Enhanced Medical Limited.
Renee Watson, Founder of The Curiosity Box
Renee is the Founder and Head of Explosions at The Curiosity Box, the UK's first STEM subscription box.
Nick Pinks, CEO of Covatic
Nick is the Founder of Covatic, a company that helps broadcasters and publishers deliver the content their viewers want, when they want it.
Christoph Birkl, Co-founder and CEO of Brill Power
Christoph is Co-founder and CEO of Brill Power, developing game-changing battery control technology.
Alex McCallion, Co-founder of Greater Change
Alex McCallion is Co-founder of Greater Change, helping to provide a way of giving to the homeless.
Naveen Sharma, CEO of Connido
Naveen is the CEO of Connido, a UK-based start-up which develops products to help parenting and baby monitoring experience.
Dr Andy Woods, CTO of Flying Fish Research
Dr Andy Woods is CTO of Flying Fish Research, which helps companies + startups use the crowd to make smart decisions.
Simon Breese, Founder of Ground Data
Simon Breese founded Ground Data in 2017 to produce remote autonomous sensors for agricultural and other uses.
Dr Zsuzsa Mayer, Co-founder of EcoSync
Dr Zsuzsa Mayer, is the Co-founder of EcoSync, a company which is revolutionising energy saving for large organisations.
Dr Mark Larkin – Founder and CEO of Vitaccess
Dr Mark Larkin is the Founder and CEO of Vitaccess, a digital health and strategic consultancy start-up based in Oxford.
Richard Benjamin Allen, executive director of PalaeoPi Ltd.
Richard is Executive Director of PalaeoPi Ltd, a small lean spin out company originating in the School of Archaeology, Oxford.
Cristina de Sus, Founder of Miss Frida
Cristina de Sus is the Founder of Miss Frida, a social startup.
Harry Hall, Founder of UniCups
Harry Hall is the Founder of UniCups, a startup aiming to eliminate single-use coffee cups and food containers on university campuses.
William Cotton, Founder and Managing Director of TrustonTap Ltd
William Cotton, is the Founder and Managing Director of TrustonTap Ltd.
Ben Davison, Founder of Salient
Ben Davison is the Founder of Salient, a startup developing professional post workout clothing.
Dong Xie, Founder of CodeRobin Ltd
Dong Xie is the Founder of CodeRobin Ltd., a small software company based in Oxford.
Kate Nightingale, Founder of BackApper
Kate is currently working on her start-up, BackApper, a social media app designed to help solo-travellers meet others when abroad.
Lampson Leung, inventor and founder of Clipmatic
Lampson Leung is the Founder of Clipmatic, a company that specialises in spiral notebook accessories.
Ronit Kanwar, CEO and Co-founder of Empower Energy
Ronit Kanwar is the CEO and Co-founder of Empower Energy, a social enterprise start-up which provides electricity in India.
Andrew Beale, Co-founder of Finden
Prof. Andrew Beale is the Co-founder of Finden, a scientific consultancy company.
David Jackson, Founder and CEO of Oxtex
David is the Founder and CEO of Oxtex Limited, an early stage medical device company that was spun out from the University of Oxford in 2011.
Nicolai Thomson, Founder of Tosca Money
Nicolai Thomson is the Founder of Tosca Money, an app which allows you to grow your savings faster by sharing your goals with friends.
Elspeth Briscoe, CEO Founder Learning with Experts
Elspeth Briscoe is the CEO and Founder of Learning with Experts.
Jamie Dundas, CEO of The Refinery London
Jamie is the CEO of The Refinery London, a collection of workspaces across London.
Nix Ticehurst, Founder of Nixercise – a breath of fresh air
Nix is the Founder of Nixercise, a refreshingly realistic approach to health, fitness and nutrition.
Tobias Halloran, Co-founder of Pidge
Toby is the co-founder of Pidge, a software platform for the sports, fitness and wellbeing ecosystem.
Danae Maragouthakis, Co-founder of Pod Health
Danae is a medical doctor and Co-founder of Pod Health.
Bunmi Ayeh, Co-founder of The Loop
Bunmi Ayeh is a University of Oxford alumna, and fashion entrepreneur.
Trang Tran, COO of Archangel Imaging
Trang is currently working as the interim COO at Archangel Imaging.
Lilia Stoyanov, CEO of Transformify
Lilia Stoyanov is Chief Executive Officer and Angel Investor at Transformify.
Tom Shopland, Co-founder of Trail Unknown
Tom is a co-founder of Trail Unknown, providing adventure tours for mountain bikers.
Alex Barnes, Co-founder of Lanterne
Alex is the co-founder of Lanterne, an online platform showing the safest routes in conflict zones.
Olivia Munk, Founder of Part of the Night
Olivia is the founder of Part of the Night, a theatre company that supports people who identify as female, trans and non-binary.
Olivia Sibony, Head Of Impact Investment at Seedtribe
Liv is an award-winning entrepreneur, founder of a food-tech startup, GrubClub.
Online FinTech Courses
Learn and understand fintech with free online classes from top universities and institutions.
Makespace Oxford
Makespace Oxford is a new and affordable working and making space for individuals and organisations in North Oxford.
Idea Exploration workshops
This series will take you through the stages of turning an idea into a potential venture.
Student Entrepreneur Programme (StEP)
Your chance to explore what it takes to be an entrepreneur, if you're a student.
EIT Innovation
EIT is an independent EU body striving to nurture entrepreneurial talent and supporting new ideas.
Developing your Creative Practice
A development fund designed to support independent creative practitioners.
Agile Lab – Begbroke Science Park
A shared workspace comprising an equipped laboratory with bookable bench space and equipment, and adjoining office space.
OXFO L.E.V8 Women
Empowering Oxford's current and future female leaders and founders to pursue their entrepreneurial purpose.
eScalate Social Enterprise Support
Supporting social entrepreneurs, enterprising charities and other purposeful businesses in Oxfordshire.
TED Talks for Social Entrepreneurs
TED Talks are a great source of information, advice and experience to help you with any idea you have, no matter what stage you are at.
Humanities Business Engagement and Partnerships
Supporting the breadth of academic research interests in the Social Science and Humanities Divisions.
Oxford Venture Capital Network – Student Society
A network to help both Oxford students and startups grow.
ActInSpace
An international innovation contest based on space technologies, data, patents and infrastructures.
ImagineIF Accelerator
A programme of innovators across our branches worldwide, tailored mentoring and access to the Innovation Forum professional network.
EIT Health Summer School
The EIT Health Summer Schools support innovation by empowering the healthcare leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
Scientific Entrepreneurship – MPLS Enterprise
Success in a start-up business is significantly enhanced with an understanding of key entrepreneurial characteristics and competencies. This weekly, term-long course provides potential science/engineering entrepreneurs with the knowledge to help succeed in an entrepreneurial opportunity.
Ideas 2 Impact
This innovation and enterprise skills initiative is convened at Saïd Business School, in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Centre and the University of Oxford sciences division.
NHS Clinical Entrepreneur
The clinical entrepreneur training programme is designed to offer opportunities for clinical, NHS staff and wider health professionals to develop their entrepreneurial aspirations during their clinical training period.
Social Impact Education
A variety of co-curricular courses aimed at providing high potential, socially-minded graduate students across the University of Oxford.
The John Fell Fund
All subject areas are encouraged to apply, and interdisciplinary and/or interdivisional projects are especially welcome.
Social Enterprise Awards
Since 2013, over 40 different ventures have been supported, from a community cafe to a soap recycling enterprise.
Vice-Chancellor’s Social Impact Awards
Presented every year to Oxford University students who show exceptional commitment to positive social change.
Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards
One of the UK’s largest student and graduate business pitching competitions.
Tata Varsity Pitch Competition
A national early stage business pitching competition for businesses coming out of colleges and universities.
OUI – Funding Social Enterprise
Opportunities to fund social or environmental impact projects at all stages beyond research.
Urbanoid
Providing high quality serviced office working space for small businesses and organisations.
Wadham Entrepreneurs
Wadham entrepreneurs discuss the challenges and opportunities, sharing their experience and advice.
Social Enterprise Mentorship
Providing direct support to enable social entrepreneurs to reach their goals.
OxLEP
Championing Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy.
Brookes Enterprise
Enterprise Support offers exceptional opportunities for students, staff and recent graduates.
All-Innovate Idea Competition
Encouraging all students at Oxford to develop an entrepreneurial skill-set.
University of Oxford Innovation Fund
Investing across all areas of technology and intellectual property from Oxford including new Oxford-based software companies.
OX1
Oxford's first start-up incubator programme designed by student entrepreneurs, for student entrepreneurs, which does not take equity or IP.
Oxford Inspires
An intimate gathering of 500 of the world's most disruptive entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors.
Oxford Geek Nights
Oxford Geek Night is a regular meet-up for designers & developers run by Torchbox.
Social Enterprise UK
National body for social enterprise – business with a social or environmental mission.
OUI – Commercialising your research
Helping staff and students in the University of Oxford who want to protect and commercialise the results of their research.
Oxford Fintech Programme
This programme on financial technology and innovation is designed to offer you the tools to face the future of finance.
Tech Nation
Empowering ambitious tech entrepreneurs to grow faster through knowledge and connections; to build a UK economy fit for the next generation.
Arts at the Old Fire Station
Openness, inclusion, looking forward and different thinking. The Old Fire Station acts as a bridge between sectors, organisations and people.
Creative Industries Federation
Membership body that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries.
How to Finance and Grow Your Startup – Without VC
If you’re an entrepreneur at any stage of your journey, and you need money, this course is for you.
Unleash Your Potential: Innovation and Enterprise
Get an introduction to innovation and enterprise, and learn to generate and evaluate your own ideas.
Montana Butsch, Founder of spotivity
Montana Butsch is Founder of spotivity, a dynamic marketplace platform and personal utility app., aiming to change the way teens live, work, and play.
Perch @ Eco Business Centre
A mixture of offices and coworking space. The perfect place for people who live and work sustainably
Nicholas Russell, Entrepreneur-in-Residence on the Conception X programme.
Nicholas Russell is Entrepreneur-in-Residence on the Conception X programme. Conception X creates deep tech startups from PhD research.
WCFI
"Set in 15 acres of beautiful woodland, our state-of-the-art office, meeting and conference facilities create an inspiring business environment."
Eagle Labs at The Wood Centre For Innovation
A flagship for early stage science and technology companies aimed at supporting spinout scientists, university graduates and entrepreneurs.
Oxford Women In Business (OxWIB)
A thriving student society providing a platform for opportunities for enterprising young women at the University of Oxford.
Oxford Case Studies – Uncomfortable Oxford
Are you sitting comfortably? Then it’s time to get up and take a bumpy walk through Oxford’s past.
Oxford Healthtech Labs
Oxford Healthtech Labs builds on years of experience running needs-driven innovation training programmes at the University of Oxford.
Head-to-head with Low Carbon Hub
The Oxford Trust went head-to-head with Barbara Hammond, CEO of The Low Carbon Hub – a small social enterprise with big aims, now based at WCFI in Headington. They are working on the ground-breaking Project LEO, an ambitious and innovative smart grid trial.
Head-to-head with Katie Bedborough of Oxford VR
A company to watch, OCFI-based Oxford VR has just raised £10m Series A funding. The Oxford Trust went head-to-head with Katie Bedborough, their COO, to find out more about how their VR technology is being used in mental health treatments.
Head-to-head with Rupert Wilkinson at Oxford Product Design
The Oxford Trust went head-to-head with Rupert Wilkinson, MD of Oxford Product Design – based at OCFI, they are only product design consultancy working out of central Oxford. Their mantra is “making things better by making better things”.
Ella Barrington, Founder of Corse Concierge
Corse Concierge is a project management and business support consultancy based in Greatworth, North Oxfordshire, launched by award-winning business and operations director, Ella Barrington.
Mofe Binitie, Co-Founder of The Oxford Green Partnership Ltd
Mofe Binitie is the co-founder of the Oxford Green Partnership ("OGP"). OGP is an Oxford MBA spinout that leverages data and design to
Dr Martin-Immanuel Bittner, CEO of Arctoris
Martin-Immanuel Bittner is the CEO of Arctoris, the world's first fully automated drug discovery platform, that he cofounded in Oxford.
Aspect launch new Accelerator!
Aspect’s new flagship four-month social sciences student and alumni accelerator hosted by LSE to support and scale socially-responsible student and alumni ventures is now open for applications.
Oxford MBA candidate Diana Wangari recognised in Management Today’s 35 under 35
The annual awards were setup in 2000 with the purpose of highlighting the contributions of Britain’s young businesswomen.
Why Students Need to Learn Entrepreneurial Skills
Thinking about becoming a student entrepreneur? Or just looking to expand your skill set? Here’s why as a student you need to learn ...
How a Degree Can Help You Run Your Startup
Three members of Bloom&Wild discuss how their degrees have helped in their entrepreneurial life
Ed Rosser, Founder of NX Magazine
Ed Rosser is the founder and creative director of NX Magazine, which strives to inspire and educate by showcasing and engaging members of the next generation through interviews, articles and features.
Why Students Need to Learn Entrepreneurial Skills
Thinking about becoming a student entrepreneur? Or just looking to expand your skill set? Here’s why as a student you need to learn ...
Enterprising Women programme
Encouraging, inspiring and supporting the participation of female STEM researchers in innovation and entrepreneurship.
WeAreTheCity
WeAreTheCity includes gender-related news, a networks directory, calendar of events and conferences, returnships, business schools, inspirational women profiles, HeForShe interviews, giving back and jobs.
Female Entrepreneur Resources
A list of support groups and resources for female entrepreneurs in the UK, compiled by Startups.co.uk
Female Founders Fund
The leading source of institutional capital for female founders raising seed capital with over $3B in enterprise value.
Get Your Startup Started
In this course, you’ll learn how to pitch your business and secure the funding you’ll need to launch your new company.
OUI Social Enterprise Support
Through social enterprise, OUI now offers a business model that is adaptable, dynamic and supports all University Divisions equally.
Ludmila Milla, founder of UJJI
Ludmila Milla is the founder of UJJI, a platform supporting its users in actively but securely working towards their goals
Stephanie Gnissios, cofounder of Climate Risk Services
Stephanie Gnissios is the cofounder of Climate Risk Services, which supports its clients in responding and adapting to the physical, technological, regulatory, and social impacts of climate change
Alice Curry, founder of Lantana Publishing
Alice Curry is founder and CEO of Lantana Publishing, a company promoting diversity and inclusion in children’s literature.
Ashley Cavers, Founder of The Wonky Food Co
Ashley is a co-founder of The Wonky Food Company, which makes products from imperfect and surplus fruit and veg.
Bhavini Patel, CEO and Co-founder of BeamData
Bhavini is CEO of BeamData, a civic tech venture that improves the data capacity of social enterprises and local governments.
Carolyn Hicks, CFO of Brill Power
Carolyn Hicks is the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Brill Power, a spin-out company from the University of Oxford specialises in limiting battery wastage by extending the life-time of lithium-ion battery packs.
Elizabeth Filippouli, CEO of Global Thinkers Forum
Elizabeth Filippouli is CEO of Global Thinkers Forum, facilitating accountable leadership, women’s empowerment and youth development.
Hema Vallabh, Co-Founder and CEO of WomEng
Hema Vallabh is the CEO of WomEng and WomHub, assisting women in engineering and across STEM fields in order to combat gender discrimination.
Jessica Bruce, Founder of Run3D
Jessica Bruce is Founder of Run3D, who has developed a powerful and scientifically accurate way to analyse and prevent running injuries.
Julie Macken, Founder of Neve’s Bees
Julie Macken is ‘Deputy Queen Bee’ at Neve’s Bees, a 100% natural skincare brand made from their bees’ beeswax.
Katerina Spranger, CEO and Founder of Oxford Heartbeat
Dr Katerina Spranger is an Oxford alumnus who is now CEO and Founder of Oxford Heartbeat, making cardiovascular surgeries safer and more accurate.
Lauren Xie, Co-Founder of Lively Worlds
Lauren Xie is co-founder of Lively Worlds, a think-and-do tank that engages in research, education in order to create a regenerative future.
Ruthe Farmer, Co-Founder of Last Mile Education Fund
Ruthe Farmer built and scaled up NCWIT Aspirations in Computing, a multifaceted programme for women and girls in computer science.
Joy Foster, Founder of TechPixies
Joy Foster is Founder of TechPixies, upskilling women with tech for returning to the world of work, changing careers, or starting a business.
Oxford Case Studies: RisingWISE
Anne Miller is joint founder of RisingWISE, an initiative aimed at women in STEM at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge that aims to combat some of the disparities between men and women in achieving leadership roles and pursuing entrepreneurship opportunities in this sector.
Daniel McMahon, CEO of 1715 Labs
Daniel McMahon is CEO of 1715 Labs, taking the technology behind the citizen science project Zooniverse.org to commercial applications.
Jack Replinger, Founder of Positive Physics and One Classroom
Jack Replinger is founder of Positive Physics, an online learning platform aiming to make physics accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Mike Karim, CEO and co-founder of Oxford Endovascular Ltd
Mike Karim is CEO of Oxford Endovascular Ltd, a spinout from Oxford University developing a revolutionary medical device to cure brain aneurysms.
Henry Majed, Co-founder of MyMynd
Henry Majed is a co-founder of MyMynd, a digital health platform tackling the rising challenge of mental health & wellbeing.
Tami Majeed, CEO of Nigelle de Crѐte
Tami Majeed is the CEO of Nigelle de Crѐte, a new luxury skincare start up taking consumers back to nature.
Rodrigo Montenegro, Co-founder and CEO of Gamma Wave Technologies Ltd
Rodrigo Montenegro is the CEO of Gamma Wave Technologies Ltd, a start-up that applies neuroscience insight in the field of sleep.
Rosa Arias-Yague, Founder of EGALVIA
Rosa Arias-Yague, Founder of EGALVIA, aims to end discrimination, making learning and work environments more inclusive.
Spencer Beckman, Founder of Beckman
Spencer Beckman is the Founder of Beckman Automobiles, a new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, bringing sustainability, desirability, and value to the EV market in a way previously unseen.
Leon Rodin, CEO and Co-Founder of MyMynd
Leon is CEO of MyMynd, a digital mental health platform built around a holistic individual assessment of mental health and wellbeing for individuals.
Stephen Ringler, Founder & CEO of Space Store
Stephen Ringler, Founder of Space Store, an experiential retail store and café which aims to bring space to everyone, everywhere, every day.
Priyav Shah, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at CuraCode
Priyav Shah is a Co-Founder of CuraCode which creates highly secure, low cost authentication labels based on a patented technology discovered at Oxford University.
Huw Evans, Co-Founder and CEO of nanovert
Huw Evans is the CEO of nanovert, a platform boosting the value of business promotions with authentic exposure from local nano-influencers.
Nathania Aritao, Founder of TAYO
Nathania Aritao is Founder of TAYO International, providing financial education and management tools made for migrant workers.
Ellis Parry, CEO and Co-founder of neumind
Ellis is CEO and co-founder of neumind - a company dedicated to improving the lives of people with cognitive impairments.
Simon Yates, Founder of DigiVue
Simon Yates is the Founder of DigiVue aiming to address attendance and engagement issues in students and make a positive impact.
Ebunlomo Azeez, Founder of Oxfurnished
Ebun is the Founder of Oxfurnished, a platform to revolutionise and provide environmentally-friendly furniture options for short-term use.
Tejal Lodhia, Founder and Director of Senzill Travels Ltd
Tejal Lodhia is the founder and director of Senzill Travels Ltd which provides unbiased and value for money travel options.
Sarah Tress, Founder of Loop Cushion
Sarah Tress founded Loop Cushion which is developing low-cost inflatable wheelchair seat cushions from bicycle inner tubes for use in low-resource contexts.
Noël Duan, Founder and CEO of Argos & Artemis
Noël Duan is founder of Argos & Artemis, the first global community and lifestyle platform designed to inform and inspire dog parents.
Rafael Guper, Co-Founder of UJJI
Rafael Guper is Co-Founder of UJJI, a gamified, personal growth mobile tool combining the latest research and advances in neuroscience & AI.
Kannan Ganga, Founder and CEO of YellowNest
Kannan Ganga is Founder of YellowNest, an early years education business providing affordable high quality education to all in the UK.
Matt Woolford, Founder and CEO Trendineer
Matt Woolford is Founder and CEO Trendineer, a new online store that supports all types of businesses and promotes sales.
Louise Webster, Founder of The Curious Bear Club
Louise Webster is Founder of The Curious Bear Club, a fun and interactive virtual coffee club bringing people together to learn about, discuss, and drink fantastic coffee.
Halimah Omogiafo, Founder and CEO of Koody
Halimah Omogiafo is the Founder of Koody, an online marketplace for financial advice making it cheaper and more accessible.
Alexander Wankel, founder of Rooted Quinoa MilQ
Alexander Wankel is the Founder of Rooted Quinoa MilQ that creates milk-free "MilQ" made with peruvian quinoa.
Females for Finance (F^3)
Females for Finance are looking to increase female representation across executive banking positions through education, mentorship and networking.
Viaduct generation
Viaduct Generation is an independent SEO agency, supporting the (online) growth of Black, POC and allied brands.
Sendit.Money
Sendit.money is building the future of cross border payments for emerging markets through blockchain technology.
CuraCode
CuraCode creates highly secure, low cost authentication labels based on a patented technology discovered at Oxford University.
LoopCushion
Loop Cushion is developing low-cost inflatable wheelchair seat cushions from bicycle inner tubes for use in low-resource contexts.
UJJI
UJJI is a gamified, personal growth mobile tool combining the latest research and advances in neuroscience & AI.
Mark S Thompson, Founder of OxVent
Mark Thompson is Founder of OxVent, a social venture with the object of making low cost ventilator technology available in low middle income countries.
Senzill Travels
Tejal Lodhia is the founder and director of Senzill Travels Ltd which provides unbiased and value for money travel options.
Argos & Artemis
Argos & Artemis is the first global community and lifestyle platform designed to inform and inspire dog parents.
Fire Up
Fire Up manufactures and retails patented ultra efficient cookware that heats up to 44% faster than conventional ones.
Dashboard Labs
Dashboard Labs is a platform that integrates directly with your lab machines for a seamless lab experience and fast processing of results.
Gamma Wave Technologies Ltd
Gamma Wave Technologies Ltd is a start-up that applies neuroscience insight in the field of sleep.
Grace Baghdadi, Co-Founder of Females for Finance (F^3)
Grace Baghdadi, Co-Founder of Females for Finance (F^3), aims to bridge the male-female wealth gap by providing a free online program to high-achieving high school girls.
RisingWISE: ‘My career has taken exciting turns since the programme’
The RisingWISE programme helps women researchers thrive, as its alumnae have experienced firsthand.
Viktoryia Shautsova, Founder of SkyLimit
Viktoryia Shautsova is Founder of SkyLimit, a social impact venture combining science-backed content, interactive self-reflection tools, and social learning.
Prerna Wadikar, Founder of Jeeva Global
Prerna Wadikar is Founder of Jeeva Global, accelerating livelihoods through portable affordable energy using lithium-ion battery technology.
Jeeva Global
Jeeva Global is a social enterprise accelerating livelihoods through portable affordable energy using lithium-ion battery technology.
YellowNest
Kannan Ganga is Founder of YellowNest, an early years education business providing affordable high quality education to all in the UK.
TAYO International
TAYO International provides financial education and management tools made for migrant workers.
Charm Impact
Charm Impact is an impact investing platform that crowdsources small scale loans for clean energy startups in emerging markets.
Lantana Publishing
Lantana Publishing is a company promoting diversity and inclusion in children’s literature.
Oxford Endovascular Ltd
Oxford Endovascular Ltd is a spinout from Oxford University developing a revolutionary medical device to cure brain aneurysms.
nanovert
nanovert is a platform boosting the value of business promotions with authentic exposure from local nano-influencers.
IRmage
IRmage's aim is to create cost-effective, flexible and robust remote sensing products for use within the Building and Construction industry.
Green Leaves Group
Green Leaves Group is a social enterprise dedicated to helping individuals be more sustainable through tailored workshops and online campaigns.
DigiVue
DigiVue aims to address attendance and engagement issues in students and make a positive impact.
Oxfurnished
Oxfurnished is a platform to revolutionise and provide environmentally-friendly furniture options for short-term use.
EGALVIA
EGALVIA is a social enterprise aims to end discrimination, making learning and work environments more inclusive.
Magdrive
Magdrive is developing the next generation of spacecraft propulsion for the satellites which underpin modern life.
Trendineer
Trendineer is a new, scalable, affordable online marketplace, redefining the way you shop online.
Space Store Ltd
Space Store is an experiential retail store and café which aims to bring space to everyone, everywhere, every day.
Beckman
Beckman Automobiles is a new electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, bringing sustainability, desirability, and value to the EV market in a way previously unseen.
Koody
Koody is an online marketplace for financial advice making it cheaper and more accessible, building the future of wealth management.
spotivity
spotivity is a dynamic marketplace platform and personal utility app., aiming to change the way teens live, work, and play.
SkyLimit
SkyLimit is a social impact venture combining science-backed content, interactive self-reflection tools, and social learning.
Neve’s Bees
Neve’s Bees is a 100% natural skincare brand made from their bees’ beeswax with recyclable tins and board packaging.
1715 Labs
1715 Labs is taking the technology behind the citizen science project Zooniverse.org to commercial applications.
Samuel A Diaz Pulgar, Co-founder of Nutriendo El Futuro
Samuel Diaz Pulgar is Co-Founder of Nutriendo El Futuro' (NEF), an organization that, for the past two and a half years, has fed and provided education to children in Venezuela.
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Enterprising Oxford is a University of Oxford initiative to help connect people to the entrepreneurship resources they need, and to promote entrepreneurship across Oxfordshire.
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