Oxford Edge

A NEW CENTRE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INNOVATION

In early 2025, its 500th anniversary year, Christ Church opened Oxford Edge: a new Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the heart of Oxford at 37 St Giles. This state of the art facility exists to educate, inspire and empower the next generation of student entrepreneurs from across the entire University of Oxford, offering them the chance to develop their own ideas.

Introducing Oxford Edge

A resource for all at Oxford

Made possible through the generous support of venture builder Blenheim Chalcot, and designed in collaboration with the University of Oxford and its entrepreneurship hub, EnSpire Oxford, Oxford Edge opened in early 2025. Students of all colleges and disciplines will benefit from education in the core principles of entrepreneurship from College and University tutors as well as Blenheim Chalcot’s experts.

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 will support a broad range of ventures, ranging from social and civic entrepreneurship to innovation in science and technology.

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

Vacation programmes

A summer of entrepreneurship at Oxford Edge – applications closing soon!

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

If you're a University of Oxford student with a passion for innovation, this is your 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, you'll:

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 competitive bursaries are available

Apply by 30 April: https://unistep.org/

Students in discussion with their peers and mentors

Explore What’s On at Oxford 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

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

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

Board Members

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. These include:

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

Matt Clifford, CEO of Entrepreneur First and leader of the UK Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan

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

Clare Leinweber, Executive Director at Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale University

Lilly Bussmann, Head of Strategic Capital at Oxford Science Enterprises

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

Dr Catherine Hasted, Deputy Director of Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, University of Oxford

Professor Chas Bountra, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Oxford

Centre and College staff

Dr Irwin Zaid, Director of Oxford Edge

Professor Dirk Aarts, Christ Church Trustee for Oxford Edge

Sarah Budzier, Head of Communications at Christ Church