Incubator support
Got a business idea and a connection to the University of Oxford? If it’s not based on University-owned research, our Incubator can help you take it from idea to impact.
What is the Incubator?
The Incubator is Oxford University Innovation’s (OUI’s) range of programmes and support for entrepreneurs building businesses that don’t rely on University-owned IP.
The Incubator supports ideas emerging from the University’s wider entrepreneurial community – ventures that need technical or commercial development.
Since launch, we’ve supported around 50 startups a year, many of which have gone on to raise funding, begin trading and scale successfully. Whether your idea is commercial or mission-led in nature, our focus is simple: helping you get it off the ground.
Who is the Incubator for?
We support Founders from all backgrounds, disciplines and ages — from current students to alumni who left Oxford decades ago. All you really need is an idea and the commitment to work on it.
The Incubator is for you if:
- At least one Founder is a University of Oxford student, staff member or fully matriculated alum
- You’re working on an idea that’s not based on University-owned IP
- You’ve defined a problem statement and you’re testing and validating your solutions (although we also consider more mature ventures)
- Your team is based in – or able to travel regularly to – Oxford
- You plan to incorporate in the UK or USA
- You’re not a charity
Not sure about IP ownership? We’re always happy to talk it through.
How the Incubator works
The Incubator is delivered through a flexible, phased programme, designed to meet Founders where they are and support them as they progress.
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Validate your idea (up to 3 months)
This is our pre-incubation phase, focused on turning your idea into a credible business proposition.
You’ll take part in hands-on workshops based around the Lean Canvas, helping you:
- Clarify your value proposition
- Understand your market and customers
- Test assumptions through early market validation
- Build confidence in your business model
Phase 1 is free, and in-person, based in our Oxford workspace. All teams who complete it present their progress for the opportunity to move into Phase 2.
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Launch and grow (up to 12 months)
For teams ready to take things further, Phase 2 provides deeper, more intensive support.
You’ll:
- Receive up to £10,000 in grant funding (to help cover non-salary costs)
- Work with a dedicated OUI project manager
- Develop a Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Receive tailored advice and coaching
- Access mentors, professional advisers and investors
- Use on-site workspace and meeting rooms
- Pitch to our friendly investor panel
At this stage, we take a 5% fully-dilutable, pre-investment equity stake, which helps fund the programme and support future founders.
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Deliver and scale
Once your business is incorporated and trading, we help you prepare for life beyond the Incubator.
Support includes:
- Help with governance, boards and investor readiness
- Ongoing access to training, networks and introductions
- Continued connection to OUI’s investment and startup ecosystem via a dedicated investment manager
And while you may eventually move on physically, you’ll always be part of the OUI founder community.
How to get involved
We run the Incubator as a flexible, year-round programme, so you can apply when the time is right for you.
For students, staff and alumni developing a startup alongside other commitments, we offer part-time incubator cohorts starting October until March.
We accept applications on a rolling basis, so you don’t need to wait for a fixed deadline. Once you apply, we’ll review your idea, check eligibility and availability, and invite you to join Phase 1 if it looks like a good fit.
If you’re not quite ready yet, you’re still welcome to attend our open training sessions, meet the team, and explore whether the Incubator is right for you.
Programmes and event
Build skills, test ideas and meet like-minded people with our entrepreneur-focused programmes and events.
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If you’re a student who wants to learn more about entrepreneurship, StEP is a great way to get some hands-on experience.
Delivered in partnership with Oxford Edge, it’s a full-time, eight-week programme over the summer, designed to help you test assumptions, explore markets, build early prototypes and shape a venture with genuine potential.
Whatever your interests, and whether you arrive with a fully formed idea or simply the ambition to start something new, StEP gives you the structure, mentorship and momentum to move forward. You’ll work alongside a cohort of entrepreneurial students, learning from each other, sharing what’s working (and what isn’t), and progressing faster as part of a supportive, driven community.
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From workshops and networking events, to investor-readiness days our events are designed to support Incubator founders and anyone exploring the startup journey at Oxford.
Case studies
Learn more about the companies who found their feet through the Incubator.
