How do Oxford and Cambridge support entrepreneurship among students?

Oxford and Cambridge support entrepreneurship among students through various programmes, resources, and networking opportunities.

Oxford University has a dedicated Entrepreneurship Centre at the Saïd Business School. This centre offers a range of programmes and activities designed to inspire and support student entrepreneurs. These include the Oxford Launchpad, which provides a collaborative workspace for students to develop their ideas, and the Oxford Seed Fund, which offers early-stage funding to student start-ups. The centre also runs a variety of workshops, competitions, and events throughout the year, providing students with the opportunity to learn from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.

Similarly, Cambridge University has the Cambridge Judge Business School's Entrepreneurship Centre. This centre offers a comprehensive range of programmes and resources to support student entrepreneurs, including the Accelerate Cambridge programme, which provides mentoring, coaching, and funding to help students develop their business ideas. The centre also hosts the annual Cambridge Venture Weekend, a three-day event where students can pitch their ideas, receive feedback, and network with potential investors.

Both universities also offer a variety of entrepreneurship-related courses and modules as part of their academic curriculum. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of starting a business to more advanced subjects like venture capital and intellectual property law. This academic approach to entrepreneurship provides students with a solid theoretical foundation, which they can then apply in a practical context through the universities' various entrepreneurship programmes and activities.

In addition, both Oxford and Cambridge have a strong entrepreneurial culture, with numerous student-led societies and clubs dedicated to entrepreneurship. These societies organise a variety of events and activities, from hackathons to guest speaker sessions, providing students with plenty of opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn from their peers.

Overall, Oxford and Cambridge provide a comprehensive range of support for student entrepreneurs, combining practical resources and opportunities with a strong academic foundation in entrepreneurship.