""

Dream big: new Oxford backing for aspiring entrepreneurs – and win £2,000

Published

Oxford is one of the greatest places in the world to dream big.

Hundreds of years of research excellence and brilliant ideas have something to do with that. But so does the University’s remarkable entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem – which is about to become even better. 

A vital new piece has been added by Christ Church with the support of Saïd Business School, expanding the University’s business support system, so it will run from undergraduate aspiring entrepreneurs to business park-ready innovators.  The new entrepreneurship and innovation space – which is in desperate need of a new name (full details of competition) – will provide the initial link in the entrepreneurial chain.  

Aimed at undergraduates and aspiring innovators without formal plans – the centre will provide very early-stage support. This could comprise funded summer schools, during university vacations, and will include expert advice from entrepreneurship leaders. 

As part of the overall eco-system, the centre with no name will provide a gateway to the existing eco-structure and help students to get their ideas ready to take to the Entrepreneurship Centre at Oxford Saïd or to work with Oxford University Innovation. 

According to Pegram Harrison, Senior Fellow in Entrepreneurship at Saïd Business School, Lecturer in Management at Christ Church, and Director of Undergraduate Studies in Management in the University: ‘This new centre will provide education, activities and events for students on any degree programme to explore entrepreneurship, acquire some very transferrable skills, and expand their opportunities after graduation.’ 

Since I became Dean last year, we have been preparing to celebrate our first 500 years in 2025 and, more importantly, looking to the future and building plans to serve students for the next 500 years. This project is a vital part of this work.

Professor Sarah Foot

Dean of Christ Church.

Professor Foot continued: '[This initiative is] helping students and academics make the most of the huge entrepreneurial potential within Christ Church, and the wider University.'

Home to the largest number of undergraduates in the University, Christ Church is establishing the new innovation space with a private sector partner, Blenheim Chalcott, a global venture builder, and with support from Oxford Saïd, which already plays host to the Entrepreneurship Centre. 

 

According to Christ Church: ‘Our mission is to empower the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders by fostering collaboration between academia and industry. The hub will be a dynamic space in which students, business leaders and academics can share their insights and ideas and advance the study of entrepreneurship itself in partnership with the Saïd Business School.’

The new centre opens its doors in the New Year at 37 St Giles – but first it needs a name. So, for a chance to win one of five London internships provided by Blenheim Chalcott with free accommodation, or £2,000 for the top entry, enter the naming competition!