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CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

StEP
Challenges
Events
OX1
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Impact Report
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Team
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Introducing Oxford Edge

A resource for all at Oxford

Oxford Edge, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, was established to educate, inspire, and empower Oxford's entrepreneurial students. Based at 37 St Giles and open to students across all departments and colleges, Oxford Edge brings together academic knowledge, industry expertise, and alumni support to boost student entrepreneurs in any subject, from science and technology innovation to social and civic initiatives.

Launched together with the University of Oxford and its entrepreneurship hub, EnSpire Oxford, and made possible through the generous support of venture builder Blenheim Chalcot and other benefactors, Oxford Edge opened in early 2025. Students of all colleges and disciplines can benefit from education in the core principles of entrepreneurship from College and University tutors.

This goes hand-in-hand with practical support from established entrepreneurs drawn from Oxford’s extraordinary community of alumni and its wider ecosystem. Oxford Edge supports a broad range of ventures, ranging from social and civic entrepreneurship to innovation in science and technology.

Oxford Edge plays host to a lively programme of events throughout the year, designed to inspire entrepreneurial thinking and build valuable networks.

Students

Events at Edge

Discover all upcoming events, talks, and activities happening at the Oxford Edge centre. From expert panels to hands-on workshops, there's something for everyone.

Check out the full events calendar here
Students

Impact Report 2025-2026

Impact Report


One year ago, Oxford Edge opened its doors at 37 St Giles with a simple idea: to create a place where Oxford students could seriously explore entrepreneurship alongside their academic work.

One year later, students from across the University of Oxford are building ventures, finding co-founders, launching societies, winning grants, running hackathons, designing hardware, and coming together to test their ambitious ideas at one of the most active student entrepreneurship centres anywhere.

Our Impact Report captures what emerged in that first year: not just programmes and events, but a real culture of building, collaboration, and experimentation growing across the University.

We are proud of what has been built so far and deeply grateful to the students, mentors, societies, colleges, departments, partners, supporters, and wider Oxford community who made it possible.

Edge Challenges

Edge Challenges brings together Oxford DPhil and Master’s students who want to use their expertise to build something great.

Offered jointly by Oxford Edge, Oxford Science Enterprises, and the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, the programme brings together three distinct parts of Oxford’s venture ecosystem: student entrepreneurship, world-changing science and technology, and systemic social impact. 

Learn more about Edge Challenges
Challenges

Come and work at Oxford Edge

Oxford Edge also offers a collaborative workspace during term time, with hot-desking available Monday to Friday, 10am–6pm. 

Regular users may be eligible for a fob—please speak to us at Edge reception for more information.

Students

OX1 Incubator

OX1 is a student-run incubator that works closely with Oxford Edge. Their mission is to support student entrepreneurs with mentorship from subject experts, industry leaders, and established founders, while offering the opportunity to gain exposure to top-tier investors and build strong international networks. The programme runs over Michaelmas and Hilary term, culminating in a Demo Day in Trinity term where you get the chance to compete for £23,000 in equity-free grants.

Find out more at www.ox1incubator.com

OX1 Incubator demo day 2025

Vacation programmes

A summer of entrepreneurship at Oxford Edge 

StEP Ignite is the University of Oxford’s flagship student entrepreneurship programme – and this year, we're proud that the initiative has been hosted and co-run with Oxford Edge, combining cutting-edge academic insight with real-world venture-building expertise.

On 25 July, this year's StEP Ignite participants competed in a Demo Day, making pitches in a bid to win a £10,000 prize for their groundbreaking business ideas. Find out what happened and discover who won.

Through the annual StEP programme, University of Oxford students with a passion for innovation are offered the chance to step into the startup world. Whether you have your own idea in mind or want to build a business around Oxford IP, StEP Ignite gives you the tools, mentorship, and team to make it happen.

Throughout the programme, participants are given the opportunity to:

  • build a business from research;
  • collaborate with 30 like-minded peers;
  • learn from leading experts;
  • learn how to launch a career you never imagined.

Spaces are limited and significant bursaries are available.

Find out more about the programme at https://unistep.org/.

The StEP Ignite Demo Day 2025 participants

Host your own event at Oxford Edge

This is your centre—so bring your ideas to life! Whether it’s a talk, workshop, or meet-up, we encourage you to use the space and make it your own.

Book a room or submit your event idea here
events

Get involved as a volunteer

Are you passionate about fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators? We invite individuals with experience and enthusiasm to contribute their time and expertise as volunteers. 

Whether you are keen to offer mentorship and coaching, host office hours, deliver engaging workshops or talks, join panel discussions, or  assist with events such as hackathons and venture competitions, your involvement can make a real impact. Please express your interest via this short form.

Students
Newsletter

Subscribe to the Oxford Edge Bulletin

Stay up to date with the latest developments and news from Oxford Edge, and find out about upcoming events and opportunities. 

SUBSCRIBE TODAY
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Staff

Dr Irwin Zaid, Director of Oxford Edge

Moneli Samarakkodi, Programme Manager at Oxford Edge

Lizzie Lloyd, Operations and Community at Oxford Edge

Dan Houser event

Student representation

OX1 Incubator

Siddhartha Sensharma, President (MSc in Experimental Psychology, Harris Manchester)

Anastasiia Rudkovska, Vice-President (MSc in Energy Systems, Harris Manchester)

Representatives

Megan-Fei Atkins, Undergraduate Representative (BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, New)

Yushi Li, Postgraduate Representative (DPhil in Molecular Cell Biology, New)

Isabelle Thomas, MBA Representative (MBA, Reuben)

Alex Cheung, College Representative (BA in Geography, Christ Church)

Composite image, portraits of the Oxford Edge student representatives

Governance

Oxford Edge is extremely fortunate to enjoy the practical support of leading names in entrepreneurship, who are giving generously of their time to serve on its management and advisory boards.

Management Board

Professor Dirk Aarts, Chair of the Management Board

Ms Cathy Gigou, Treasurer, Christ Church

Professor Pegram Harrison, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

Mr Nick Gregg, Senior Manager for Impact Education, The Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, University of Oxford

Mr Jasper Joyce, Chief Operating Officer, Blenheim Chalcot

Professor Gail Preston, Director of the Interdisciplinary Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership, University of Oxford

Professor Nicola Smart, Professor of Cardiovascular Science, University of Oxford 

Dr Irwin Zaid, Convenor of the Management Board

Advisory Board

Professor Constantin Coussios, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, University of Oxford

Ms Sarah Budzier, Head of Communications, Christ Church

Ms Lilly Bussmann, Head of Strategic Capital, Oxford Science Enterprises

Mr Matt Clifford, CEO of Entrepreneurs First and leader of the UK Government's AI Opportunities Action Plan

The Very Reverend Professor Sarah Foot, Dean of Christ Church

Mr Charles Mindenhall, Founding Partner of Blenheim Chalcot and Christ Church alumnus

Professor Kamiar Mohaddes, Co-founder and Director of King's Entrepreneurship Lab, University of Cambridge

Ms Philippa Roberts, Development Director, Christ Church

Dr Becca Xiong, Managing Director, Harvard Innovation Labs

Professor Jennifer Yee, Senior Censor, Christ Church