Oxford Seed Fund

Oxford Seed Fund is a student-and-alumni-led venture capital fund that invests up to £100,000 in early-stage startups where a current student, alumni, or researcher from the University of Oxford is part of the founding team. The fund is housed within the Saïd Business School's Entrepreneurship Centre and is supported by Oxford Science Enterprises and the University of Oxford itself. Its mission is to uplift innovation connected to Oxford by providing funding and support to promising ventures.

The fund operates with a sector-agnostic approach, encouraging applications from all types of ventures, including health, climate, finance, AI, and deep tech. It typically invests in pre-seed and seed-stage companies raising more than £100,000, often co-investing alongside other investors. The investment process involves a thorough assessment, including pitch deck reviews, founder interviews, and due diligence calls with customers, investors, and industry advisors. Strong deals are then presented to an investment committee composed of university seniors and alumni VCs.

Since its inception, Oxford Seed Fund has made over 50 investments, with several portfolio companies achieving significant milestones, including unicorn status. The fund has invested over £1.35 million across 43 companies, helped create over 1,200 jobs, and its portfolio has received over £110 million in follow-on funding. This track record reflects the fund's commitment to supporting high-potential, technology-enabled startups that can provide venture-scale returns.

Investment Requirements:

- An Oxford connection: Either a current student, alumni, or researcher from the University of Oxford on the founding team.
- Venture-backable technology: The fund invests in high-potential, technology-enabled startups that can provide venture-scale returns.
- Company registration: The company must be registered in a country with secure governance.

For more information or to apply for funding, visit the Oxford Seed Fund's official website or contact them via email at seedfund@sbs.ox.ac.uk.