A new startup accelerator at Oxford University has welcomed 10 teams selected for their potential to make an impact in tackling major global challenges.
The university’s Oxford Foundry centre, a new home for ‘dedicated student-led entrepreneurship’, is up and running with the six-month OXFO L.E.V8 accelerator. More than 130 early stage companies – where at least one of the team is affiliated to the internationally-renowned institution, applied in a fortnight to join L.E.V8. And 11 nationalities and 30 entrepreneurs are represented in the first cohort.
“Each of our ventures is working on impact-driven and purpose-led solutions to global issues, from supporting asset managers in making successful, social impact-led investment decisions, to providing transparency and better accountability in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain through blockchain technology, to providing business solutions in energy conservation. OXFO L.E.V8 connects our ventures to a valuable ecosystem of peers, experts and advisors, all of whom will accelerate them on their journey to scale. The L.E.V8 tailored learning programme will support each participant as they evolve into resilient, empathic entrepreneurial leaders, strong communicators and strategic thinkers. We are creating a collective, a family of Oxford Foundry entrepreneurs who contribute to, and benefit from, an evergreen cycle of support,” said Ana Bakshi, Director of the Oxford Foundry.
Startups will receive a comprehensive support package, with an estimated value of £60k, and be given access to aligned investors, a range of masterclasses and expert industry advice.
The Foundry, spearheaded by Professor Peter Tufano, the Dean of Saïd Business School, has been backed with funding from LinkedIn Founder, Reid Hoffman.
Read about the first 10 below.
https://issuu.com/oxfordfoundry/docs/oxfo_digital_lookbook_final?e=33169175/60091564
