Getting investment

Building a strong financial foundation for your company often involves navigation of funding options and access to investor networks – and we can help with both.

Why investment matters

Depending on your business model, development plan and the type of company you’re forming, you may need external investment to fund elements including:

Product development

Laboratory or office space

Salaries

Legal and administrative costs

You can begin conversations with investors from the Oxford ecosystem and beyond as soon as you have a first draft of your pitch deck. Don’t worry if that sounds daunting now – we work closely with you to identify suitable funding routes and to help you approach investors with confidence.

Types of funding available

Our companies access funding from a wide range of sources, depending on sector, stage and mission. Your OUI expert will help you assess eligibility and identify the most appropriate funding routes.

Early stage funding: These cover the early costs you may be facing to get your business started, such as market research and product development. Funding converts to equity under agreed terms once a company is formed.

University Challenge Seed Fund (UCSF) is for researchers developing University-owned IP, to help you get to a point where you can show your idea is commercially viable through spinout or licensing - amounts range from £2,500 to £250,000

Oxford Science Enterprises’ Uncover Fund is for researchers to explore the potential for commercialisation, including regulatory, IP and commercial guidance - investment up to £750,000

Oxford Seed Fund (OSEF) is Europe’s largest student-led fund, investing up to £100,000 in early-stage startups founded by Oxford University students, faculty and alumni
Later-stage funding: Our network of investors is wider than the Oxford ecosystem, from venture capitalists (VC) to angel investors. Alongside financial backing, these partners offer guidance and industry connections to help early-stage unlisted companies accelerate growth and secure longer-term stability.

Spinout Equity Management Fund (SEM Fund) manages Oxford University’s equity stakes in its spinout companies, and gives additional financial support to a small number of its portfolio companies each year. This follow-on funding helps companies grow and scale, which in turn further supports the University’s innovation ecosystem

Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) is the University’s preferred partner for funding and development of science-, technology-, engineering- and medicine- (STEM-) based spinouts. It’s an independent, billion-pound early-stage venture capital firm with a strong track record of supporting Oxford spinouts from seed stage through to Series A, B and beyond

The Parkwalk University of Oxford Innovation Fund (UOIF) is a fund managed by Parkwalk - a leading UK investor in university spinouts across sectors such as life sciences, AI and quantum computing. Parkwalk co-invests in Oxford spinouts across all technology and intellectual property areas, including software companies. It’s an Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) fund open to individuals to invest in Oxford University spinouts

Oxford Investment Opportunity Network (OION) is one of the UK’s largest and most active angel networks, offering access to a diverse group of investors through regular pitching events
Mission-led companies: If you’re forming a mission-led company, additional options may be available, including:

ImpactU FdT Health Impact Loans for early stage companies, offering up to £60,000 to run a pilot of a scalable business that will help improve health

Innovate UK offers practical support and funding for businesses of all sizes

Introductions to impact investors, facilitated by your OUI contact

Non-dilutive funding

Many types of investment are dilutive, meaning you give up a share of equity in your company in exchange for capital.

Non-dilutive funding works differently. Sources such as grants allow you to secure funding without giving up ownership, which can be especially valuable in the early stages when you’re building traction and want to retain control.

Programmes such as ImpactU and Innovate UK offer non-dilutive funding opportunities, and there may be sector-specific grants relevant to your work. We can help you identify suitable options and guide you through the application process.

Accessing investors through OUI

We have a growing, global network of investors and will work closely with you to identify those best aligned with your company and ambitions.

Support includes:

Helping you map suitable investors based on sector, stage and mission

Making introductions across the Oxford investment ecosystem and beyond

Sharing opportunities with early-stage investors and funds

Supporting applications to relevant funding programmes

Getting investment ready

Raising investment is as much about preparation as it is about pitching. We support you by:

Helping you refine your pitch deck and business case
Offering practice pitch sessions to rehearse presentations and prepare for investor questions
Advising on what investors typically look for, including IP position, market validation and financial assumptions
Hosting networking events to give you exposure to investors and industry contacts
Facilitating warm investor introductions to help you build relationships and initiate funding discussions

A man and two women sit together in a meeting, engaged in discussion

Once an investor expresses interest, a due diligence process begins. This can involve detailed questions on patents, finances, market traction, and the founding team. It may take time – and we’ll support you throughout.

If due diligence is successful, investors issue a Term Sheet (also known as Heads of Terms). This non-binding document sets out the key commercial and governance terms of the investment. We review the Term Sheet on behalf of the University to make sure requirements are met and that terms align with the University’s equity position before it is agreed and signed.

A well-prepared Term Sheet helps reduce time, cost and complexity when full legal documents are drafted.

Find out about company structures and ownership

Professional advice and compliance

As you begin fundraising, you’re strongly encouraged to engage with lawyers and accountants. While we can’t provide legal or tax advice, we can introduce you to experienced professionals within the Oxford ecosystem.

All investments must comply with: