The Oxford Foundry
The Oxford Foundry was opened in 2017 by the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School for the benefit of the whole of the University. We are open to all Oxford University students, staff and alumni, as well as wider communities.
At the Foundry we are building a new generation of ventures that better society.
We build Entrepreneurial Leaders and teams: We’re committed to upskilling the future workforce. We provide our students with opportunities to co-create, collaborate and build solutions to global challenges. We’re on a mission to equip young people with crucial skills, including critical thinking, problem solving, team work and decision making, alongside empowering our future generations to lead with purpose and emotional intelligence, to be more resilient, and to learn from failure.
We build tech skills:
Delivering practical learning opportunities to build skills and understanding in areas such as coding, blockchain and AI, with a particular emphasis on peer-to-peer learning and knowledge exchange across academia and industry – globally and locally. We develop thought leadership in tech-enabled questions, such as “How do we ensure AI is diverse and inclusive?”, and “How can we use blockchain technology to universally broaden access to finance?”
We build and accelerate ventures:
Our accelerator, OXFO L.E.V8, is based in the upper floor of the Foundry. Through the accelerator, a select number of startups are provided with co-working space as well as a suite of support to accelerate their growth - all of this is provided at no charge, and without handover of IP from students to the Foundry. The accelerator supports real businesses, with formed teams, and traction. It is sector agnostic, and focuses on ventures outside of research, whilst it benefits from being embedded in an established and powerful academic setting. Although it is equity and IP free, the L.E.V8 accelerator programme is extremely competitive. To date our ventures have raised £7m investment and are creating positive change to people around the world.
We build and sustain networks:
We've built a thriving global community of entrepreneurial students, staff, alumni, mentors, advisors and leaders. Our community is open to everyone at Oxford and alumni and we harness the best global talent.
We create ideas, solve problems and build solutions
“Via the Foundry, we can enable students to make entrepreneurship an embedded part of their Oxford
education, and to carry that rich experience forward into their futures, whatever they wish to do or achieve post-University.”
education, and to carry that rich experience forward into their futures, whatever they wish to do or achieve post-University.”
“By connecting Oxford’s talented early stage ventures, such as those supported through the Foundry’s accelerator programme, with our network of successful entrepreneurs and investor alumni
around the world, we are cementing Oxford’s reputation as a global entrepreneurial influencer.”
around the world, we are cementing Oxford’s reputation as a global entrepreneurial influencer.”
Our beliefs
We believe in:
💯Strength in diversity
The most successful ventures are diverse in thought and diverse in their teams. We support diverse role models and inclusion within ventures.
🎓The power of peer-to-peer and experiential learning
Most people learn best when immersed in a challenge. We provide experiential learning opportunities and facilitate people to learn from each other. Particularly those who are just one or two steps ahead on their journey. And we provide a platform for entrepreneurs to directly share their stories and experience with others.
🤝 Collaboration is key
Entrepreneurship doesn’t happen in isolation. It depends on connectivity, and we build and sustain thriving networks and means of knowledge exchange.
🦄 Anyone can be an entrepreneur
We support people who imagine alternative futures and are fearlessly drawn to new opportunities. This can be anyone regardless of age, nationality, expertise or passion.
🌏 Giving back
We all need to give back and help make the world a better place. Our ventures are doing just that and creating positive social, economic and environmental change and tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges. Our entrepreneurial alumni community are also giving back to the current student population and giving back their time and experience.
💜 People-first
Successful ideas and ventures would be nothing without the founders and teams behind them pushing them forward. We create an inclusive and nurturing environment for everyone to thrive and we empower others to succeed.
📱 Tech for good
The world is changing fast. We give students tech skills to help them succeed and create positive change in a technological, globalised world.
🏆 Excellence
We are based in a world-leading Business School in the number 1 University in the world. We believe in excellence, best practice and evidence-based research in everything we do.
Where are we?
Located on Hythe Bridge Street, in a building that was once the Oxford Ice Factory, the building is a large, easily accessible with facilities for co-working, workshops, events, lending library and more.
Opening hours and Facilities:
The Foundry is open from 8am until 10pm every day of the week, Monday to Sunday.
You can see our Access Policy here
Our creative space
Food and drink: Free tea/coffee/hot chocolate. Please bring your keepcups/mugs. Snack machine. You're welcome to eat and drink in the Foundry
Chill and community: Table football, giant connect4, music, bean bags, sofas, plants, boardgames, find your people board, inflatable zebra & unicorn, friendly reception
Collaborative space: desks/chairs, whiteboards and pens, roller LCD screens, phone charging cables, lending library, bookable MOOC room
Transport: Close to the train and bus station, next to the Bridge nightclub and canal walk