Oxford Venture Builder

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Unlock your entrepreneurial potential

Duration:

  • 7 weeks

Time commitment:

  • Short programme

Location:

  • Oxford

Cost:

  • Free

About the programme

Oxford Venture Builder is a programme for all members of the University of Oxford - including students, staff, faculty members and researchers - who are looking to develop their business ideas, whether individually or as a team.

The programme is designed to provide you or your team with the tools, knowledge and experience you need to research the market, test the viability of your ideas and develop your products and services.

Top-performing teams will have the opportunity to compete for a share of a cash grant.

The programme is supported by EnSpire Oxford, a University initiative, and delivered by the Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre.

Oxford Venture Builder is designed to address the most common needs of entrepreneurs in the idea stage and provide ‘how-to’ skills.

These include:

  • understanding customers
  • gaining 'how-to' skills
  • validating business ideas
  • understanding how to develop products
  • networking with mentors, experts and other entrepreneurs
  • gaining experience in starting a new business
  • learning how to find the right team.

The Entrepreneurship Centre does not take any equity from your participation in the programme.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 16 March. Successful candidates will be informed by Monday 31 March.

Want to know more about the programme? Join our online information session on Wednesday 12 February from 4-5pm.

Outline

Bootcamp

Three-day in-person bootcamp from Friday 25 April to Sunday 27 April 2025. This will be an intensive learning experience where you can develop your ideas, collaborate with others and receive coaching. 

Weekly sessions and mentorship

In-person, each Wednesday for five weeks from 7 May-5 June 2025. You will be invited to attend after hours sessions on various business-related topics. During this period, you will be matched with mentors to help you develop your ideas and tackle your challenges. 

Pitching night

In-person. You will have the opportunity to pitch your ideas to our network. This is also a chance to access further support or funding.

Application timeline

How to apply

Applications

Monday 20 January 2025.

Deadline

We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and we encourage you to apply early. Applications will close on Sunday 16 March 2025.

Overview

117

Participants (48 teams)

23

Industry sectors

70+

Training hours

190+

Mentorship sessions

Mentors

OVB's range of mentors, covering various industries and areas of expertise, are on hand to guide participants throughout the programme. Here are just some of our near 30-strong pool:

 

OVB archive

Contact

If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, please contact us at ovb@sbs.ox.ac.uk.