Business Basics
The basics of business. . . valuable information and essential resources for building a business.
Check out our top picks, then use the filters below to further customise your search.
Fundamentals of Starting a UK Business
Government Advice and information for starting a business in the UK.
First Questions to Ask - Part 1
Dr Stuart Wilkinson gives advice on the questions to ask when you have that big idea.
How to Start a Startup
Sam Altman from Y Combinator leads this exciting online class from Stanford.
What is Intellectual Property (IP)?
An Oxford guide to IP and where to find information and support
Startup Tips Videos
Oxford students and alumni talk about their top tips for starting a business
Entrepreneurship @ Oxford
Our handy map shows you how to navigate the Oxford entrepreneurship ecosystem.
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SSE Funding List
A page where to find all the details about grants and support to social enterprises.
EIT Health Summer School
The EIT Health Summer Schools support innovation by empowering the healthcare leaders and innovators of tomorrow.
TechNation: Upscale
Helping the UK’s most promising tech companies to accelerate their growth and unlock the key to scaling successfully.
Udemy: Build. Measure. Learn. Lean Startup
Become a Lean Startup Guru. Learn Lean Methodology from Lean experts like Eric Ries, Steve Blank, and more.
Emerge Education
We invest in pre-seed and seed rounds in European and North American companies focused on education.
Why Humanities Graduates Make Great Entrepreneurs
Th benefits for business that come from humanities.
Code Academy: Online Coding Courses (MOOC)
Teaching the world how to code. Learn to code interactively, for free.
Charm Impact
Charm Impact is an impact investing platform that crowdsources small scale loans for clean energy startups in emerging markets.
Hexagon Business Centres
A unique business hub in central Witney providing serviced offices, meeting rooms, virtual office services and business support to businesses of all sizes.
Tech City Digital Business Academy
Free online courses to help you start, grow or join a digital business.
Oxford Healthtech Labs
Oxford Healthtech Labs builds on years of experience running needs-driven innovation training programmes at the University of Oxford.
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.
The Oxford Academic Health Science Network
The Oxford AHSN brings together the NHS, universities, business, patients and the public to promote best health for the population and prosperity in Oxfordshire.
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.
Unleash Your Potential: Innovation and Enterprise
Get an introduction to innovation and enterprise, and learn to generate and evaluate your own ideas.
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.
University of Oxford Entrepreneurship Support
Organisations and student groups providing opportunities to explore entrepreneurship in the University.
Tech Nation
Empowering ambitious tech entrepreneurs to grow faster through knowledge and connections; to build a UK economy fit for the next generation.
10 Ways Entrepreneurs Think Differently
How often have you thought to yourself, "I wish I had my own business"? Many people dream about how good it would be, being their own ...
Fundamentals of Starting a Business in the UK
Six different steps listed to starting a business in the UK.
YES Young Entrepreneurs Scheme
A global competition developed to raise awareness of how ideas from science and engineering can be commercialised.
OSEF 2020: An Entrepreneurial Space Odyssey
Attending OSEF 2020 was a great way for new Enterprising Oxford team member Andrea to learn more about Oxford’s entrepreneurial ...
Support ‘hubs’ will boost Oxfordshire’s growing social enterprise sector
eScalate, the newest programme from OxLEP Business, is creating 6 ‘hubs’ to nurture social entrepreneurship across the county.
Ethical Property
Office area set up specifically to support small, start up charities, social enterprises & local businesses.
OxWEST (Oxford Women in Engineering, Science and Technology)
We promote gender equality in STEM subjects by supporting women studying or working in these fields
Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success
Learn how to apply tools to better solve problems, generate ideas, and excel in your chosen career.
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?
What is an Entrepreneur?
Academia, entrepreneurship and . . . motorcycles? Dr Katie Jennings talks about what she thinks an entrepreneur is.
Oxford Case Studies: Mycelium
It is better to be extraordinary and fail, then try to be ordinary and succeed.
Global Challenges Research Fund
A £1.5 billion fund announced by the UK Government to support research addressed to developing countries.
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.
MPLS Enterprise Programme
Opportunities for Oxford University members to get information about Oxford Entrepreneurial ecosystem.
eScalate Social Enterprise Support
Supporting social entrepreneurs, enterprising charities and other purposeful businesses in Oxfordshire.
CreativeLive video classes
Practical sessions about creativity, entrepreneurship, communication, design thinking and emotional intelligence.
Startup Bootcamp: Fintech London
A leading program supporting innovative companies in the financial services industry.
OX1
Oxford's first start-up incubator programme designed by student entrepreneurs, for student entrepreneurs, which does not take equity or IP.
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.
Building a Business
Providing basic business skills to those who would like to develop/enhance their skills.
Agile Lab – Begbroke Science Park
A shared workspace comprising an equipped laboratory with bookable bench space and equipment, and adjoining office space.
Perch @ Eco Business Centre
A mixture of offices and coworking space. The perfect place for people who live and work sustainably
Amazon Small Business Accelerator
Join the #AmazonAccelerator to access a catalogue of more than 15-hours of online training anytime, led by leading business experts. The e-learning is tailored to individuals just starting their entrepreneurial adventure, as well as those looking to go for growth!
Entrepreneurship.org
An online resource from the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation to help entrepreneurs grow great ideas.
Meet Prime Advocates: Business for Good
Prime Advocates is a London-based not-for-profit corporate law firm and social finance consultancy. Its Social Finance Hot Desk connects pioneering social enterprise initiatives with free specialist legal advice.
Social Enterprise Mentorship
Providing direct support to enable social entrepreneurs to reach their goals.
Translational funding
Translational funding is used to bridge a ‘gap’ in development between early stage university research and its commercialisation.
Key Characteristics of an Entrepreneur
What does it take to become an entrepreneur? Do you think you could do it? There are a set of key charcteristics which many ...
nanovert
nanovert is a platform boosting the value of business promotions with authentic exposure from local nano-influencers.
Making decisions
This free course will help you understand some of the processes involved in decision making.
The ‘secret’ network that transformed my startup
An unusual type of network where you could build really good business relationships.
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.
The Curious Bear Club
The Curious Bear Club, a fun and interactive virtual coffee club bringing people together to learn about, discuss, and drink fantastic coffee.
OXFO L.E.V8 Women
Empowering Oxford's current and future female leaders and founders to pursue their entrepreneurial purpose.
MaRS: Entrepreneurship 101
MaRS’ Entrepreneurship 101 (E101) online course equips you with the skills you need to launch a successful business.
OxLEP
Championing Oxfordshire’s economic potential, acting as a catalyst and convener to drive a dynamic, sustainable and growing economy.
Idea Exploration workshops
This series will take you through the stages of turning an idea into a potential venture.
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.
Entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries
Exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship and creativity.
TED Talks for Exploring Entrepreneurship
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.
Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards
One of the UK’s largest student and graduate business pitching competitions.
The Oxford Social Entrepreneur’s Journey
Useful information about social entrepreneurship in Oxfordshire.
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses
An investment to help entrepreneurs create opportunities for education, capital and business support services.
IT Innovation Challenge
Supporting small start-up digital projects that will bring a benefit to the University.
Oxford Case Studies – Hutano Diagnostics
A start-up developing a diagnostic, tracking and surveillance platform for dangerous infectious diseases in Africa.
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.
Oxford Case Studies – Albus Health
An University spinout determined to combat this with a radical approach to asthma care.
When can I call myself a science entrepreneur?
Holly Reeve's journey from research scientist to startup co-founder
Brainomix
Brainomix is a spinout from Oxford University which automates the assessment of stroke damage on CT scans.
Koody
Koody is an online marketplace for financial advice making it cheaper and more accessible, building the future of wealth management.
Argos & Artemis
Argos & Artemis is the first global community and lifestyle platform designed to inform and inspire dog parents.
Oxfordshire Business Support
A practical guide to supporting Oxfordshire businesses at all stages, by people with honest first-hand experience.
Head-to-head with Helen Williams of Vitaccess
Recently The Oxford Trust went head-to-head with Helen Williams, Director of Operations, at Vitaccess – a pioneering digital healthcare consultancy.
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 ...
Institute of Directors (IoD)
Organisation supporting, representing and setting standards for business leaders nationwide.
Leading for Impact
Leading for Impact helps you solve social and environmental problems in your current or future career.
10 Ways to Scale a Business from Startup to a Huge Company
It’s one thing to start a business and another to scale it.
Working in Startups: Understanding the Growth Cycle
Growing pains - What are the phases a start-up goes through as it grows?
Aspect
A network of organisations to support innovation, entrepreneurship and research commercialisation in social sciences.
Keats, pitching and being enterprising
How negative capabilities can help to identify opportunities for becoming enterprising.
Digital Skills: Digital Marketing
Empowered by Accenture, this course will teach you some of the different digital marketing strategies and techniques.
Business in Oxford
Business in Oxford has been designed to provide a detailed programme of informative presentations combined with networking opportunities.
Startups.co.uk
UK’s leading independent, online resource for anyone starting and growing a business, established in 2000.
Online FinTech Courses
Learn and understand fintech with free online classes from top universities and institutions.
Oxford Venture Capital Network – Student Society
A network to help both Oxford students and startups grow.
Social Impact Education
A variety of co-curricular courses aimed at providing high potential, socially-minded graduate students across the University of Oxford.
True.
Europe’s only retail and consumer sector specialist, that operates across the entire investment vertical.
Social Entrepreneurship: exploring the buzzword
Let's explore the buzzword that is increasingly featuring in the business and start-up sector.
DigiVue
DigiVue aims to address attendance and engagement issues in students and make a positive impact.
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.
Innovation for Entrepreneurs: From Idea to Marketplace
Developing insights on navigating the innovation process from idea generation to commercialisation.
Oxford University Innovation (OUI)
A wholly-owned subsidiary of the University of Oxford, it manages the University's technology transfer and consulting activities.
An Accidental Entrepreneur
Dan Holloway, founder of Mycellium, talks about embracing enterprise by chance.
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.
Business Model Canvas Explained
The Business Model Canvas is a business tool used to visualise all the building blocks of starting a business
Online Entrepreneurship Courses (MOOC)
Free, online entrepreneurship courses from ALISON provide a top-notch online entrepreneurship education to create a startup business.
Business Fundamentals: Customer Engagement
Learn how to design business and marketing activities to engage customers through relationships instead of one-off sales.
WCFI
"Set in 15 acres of beautiful woodland, our state-of-the-art office, meeting and conference facilities create an inspiring business environment."
Witney Business and Innovation Centre
If you’re looking to accelerate your business growth, Witney Business & Innovation Centre provides the ideal environment to do just that.
OXFO Booster Grants
Apply for up to £2,000 grant funding for student society initiatives that introduce entrepreneurship in the University.
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.
Humanities Business Engagement and Partnerships
Supporting the breadth of academic research interests in the Social Science and Humanities Divisions.
The Oxford Research Centre in the Humanities (TORCH)
TORCH provides a range of training and development opportunities for early career researchers in Humanities.
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.
Oxford Case Studies: VeriVin
Smart technology for identification and classification of complex liquids in sealed containers.
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!
YellowNest
Kannan Ganga is Founder of YellowNest, an early years education business providing affordable high quality education to all in the UK.
Student Entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship education is becoming more prominent, with many students seeking to learn more about business.
“We are all going to change the world: it’s just where and how?”
Food for thoughts: measuring the impact of our lives.
Urbanoid
Providing high quality serviced office working space for small businesses and organisations.
So What is Innovation Anyway?
A definition co-written by Oxford students, the Careers Service and the Humanities Division.
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.
Culham Science Centre
Creating a powerhouse of high technology innovation and enterprise in South Oxfordshire.
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.
xEdu
Europe's leading business accelerator for edtech startups creating transformative learning solutions with pedagogical impact.
Neve’s Bees
Neve’s Bees is a 100% natural skincare brand made from their bees’ beeswax with recyclable tins and board packaging.
Oxford firm launches AI-powered interactive graphic novel app
TechTribe Oxford met Guy Gadney CEO of Charisma.ai.
What does it mean to be Entrepreneurial?
It is not just about starting a business, or spinning out a company from research. It's a mindset, or a way of thinking.
Oxford Fintech Programme
This programme on financial technology and innovation is designed to offer you the tools to face the future of finance.
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.
Venturefest Oxford
An annual event that brings together innovators, investors and entrepreneurs within the high-tech sector.
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.
Trendineer
Trendineer is a new, scalable, affordable online marketplace, redefining the way you shop online.
Ideas for Your Business Model
Every business needs a business model. But what exactly is a business model?
Business Plans and Other Important Documents
10 sections that could be included in your business plan.
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.
Coursera: Entrepreneurship Online Courses (MOOC)
Online, free courses taught by top instructors from world-class universities and companies. So you can learn anywhere, anytime.
Science Innovation Union
A training platform, bridging the gap between academia, industry, and government.
Social Enterprise Awards
Since 2013, over 40 different ventures have been supported, from a community cafe to a soap recycling enterprise.
How a Degree Can Help You Run Your Startup
Three members of Bloom&Wild discuss how their degrees have helped in their entrepreneurial life
Oxford Case Studies – OxyClot
Training the next generation of global leaders in digital health innovation.
Brookes Enterprise
Enterprise Support offers exceptional opportunities for students, staff and recent graduates.
TAYO International
TAYO International provides financial education and management tools made for migrant workers.
Creating Business Start-Ups The Kawasaki Way
Learn how to start-up a business with advice from Guy Kawasaki.
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 ...
Startup Tips: What to do with your idea
Oxford student and alumni entrepreneurs give insightful advice about their startups
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.
OXFO L.E.V8
A University of Oxford acclerator designed to support and nurture early-stage start-up teams affiliated to the University.
The Oxford Foundry
A new entrepreneurial centre for the University of Oxford, supporting students to become more entrepreneurial people.
The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Oxford Explore and Build
A bit more in depth, a bit more work, but the effort will be worth it!
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 Enterprise UK
National body for social enterprise – business with a social or environmental mission.
Get Interactive: Practical Teaching with Technology
This is a very practical course that will teach you how to create interactive online courses.
Creative Industries Federation
Membership body that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries.
1715 Labs
1715 Labs is taking the technology behind the citizen science project Zooniverse.org to commercial applications.
Oxford Women In Business (OxWIB)
A thriving student society providing a platform for opportunities for enterprising young women at the University of Oxford.
What Really Fosters Innovation (Infographic)
The importance of innovation and the conditions that foster it.
Social Enterprise?Entrepreneurship? Innovation?
Let's shed some light on the definitions and relations between the three.
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.
Keeping your Startup Idea in Good Shape
Some advice from the Founder of ChattyFeet to aspiring entrepreneurs.
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.
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.
Developing your Creative Practice
A development fund designed to support independent creative practitioners.
How Entrepreneurs and Academics Are the Same
What's the difference between an academic and an entrepreneur?
The Hill
A healthcare ideas lab, situated at the heart of Oxford’s medical, academic, digital and entrepreneurial communities.
Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship
The centre aims to maximise the impact of social entrepreneurship to transform unjust systems around the world.
RisingWISE: empowering enterprising women
Oxbridge network that aims to foster long-term relationships between enterprising early-career researchers and women working in industry.
Why do an entrepreneurship course if you are not interested in entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship skills are essential whether you start a business or not. So what skills are these?
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.
10 Rules for a Great Startup Idea
If you are looking to start a startup , check out this great infographic from Founder Institute (designed by Andrea Chen).
Innovation Forum Oxford
The Innovation Forum seeks to promote innovation by building bridges between academia, industry and government.
How is Entrepreneurship Relevant to my Research?
A brief reflection about how being an entrepreneur fit in with an academic career.
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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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