Calling all Oxford University students!
If you would like to explore what it takes to be an entrepreneur, then this is your chance.
What is StEP?
StEP Ignite is a Student Entrepreneurship Programme open to ALL University of Oxford students. It aims to help the participants take existing research and convert it into impactful businesses. At the end of the programme, all teams will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges.
The winning team will receive a cash prize to spend on taking the first steps in setting up the business they pitched. In addition you’ll receive a package of support from OUI and will be partnered with business & technology mentors to help make the dream a reality. We’ll help you get investor ready and support your bids to raise funds through our extensive network of investors who already invest millions into the ideas which come from Oxford; we’ve got a panel of investors ready and waiting to meet you!
All the teams who complete the programme will have the opportunity to continue with their business idea through the OUI incubator programme which comes with both financial & mentor support.
We’re inviting you to bring your creativity and we will provide you with an idea from our IP library and a team to lead you to success.
Hear from past participants
Success Stories
Winners of StEP 2019. You can find further information on their website:
Winner StEP 2023. You can find further information on their website:
Is StEP right for you?
You have the spark; let's ignite it together!
StEP Ignite is for any undergraduate or postgraduate, who wants to see if they have what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
We’ll give you the opportunity to develop an idea and train and support you with loads of people who have been there and done it for real.
There’s no need to be an expert in anything, no prior training needed, and no minimum experience level required. It’s a unique chance to give it a try – and probably make some great new friends along the way.
There’s no risk and lots of rewards. When you finish the programme you’ll have a load of expertise, a ton of training and a bucket load of experience to add to your CV. And who knows – you might even have created the next exciting new start-up!
And in case you’re wondering what it costs? It doesn’t! It’s fully funded and better still we can offer a limited number of bursaries of up to £1000 for any student who needs it to cover living costs for the month. Bursaries are given on a first come first serve basis and will only be given for applications submitted before the 16th April.
StEP Ignite Summer Sprint is brought to you by the Incubator Team at Oxford University Innovation in partnership with Enspire Oxford.
Programme Timeline
Summer Sprint: 30th June – 25th July.
10th February
Applications Open
Applicants will be notified within 4 weeks of applying
16th April
Application deadline
to be considered for bursary
9th June
Applications Close
Join us for our informative drop-in sessions either online or at OUI Central on Little Clarendon Street. The Incubator team will be there to help answer any questions you may have about StEP.
Mark your calendars for our upcoming sessions
Which ideas can we choose from?
Are you eager to contribute your skills to a team, StEP is the place for you. Here's how you can get involved:
- Choose from Our IP Library: Not sure where to start? No problem! We’ve carefully curated a selection of intellectual property (IP) projects with promising potential waiting for creative minds like yours.
- Join an Existing Team: Collaboration is key to success. Joining an existing team allows you to contribute your skills and expertise to ongoing projects. Whether it’s coding, marketing, or design, there’s a place for you to make an impact.
- We’ll let you know which IP projects are available in June so that you can start to think about what you would like to work on and get a head start on team formation. We will have social events in June to let you meet up with prospective teammates.
Programme
Entrepreneurial learning
StEP is all about giving it a go. You’ll get to try out the world of Entrepreneurship for real. We’ll help you build upon existing research, test it, create a business proposition out of it and pitch it to a panel of investors and experts.
Workshops
Participate in interactive workshops ran by experienced entrepreneurs, mentors and coaches.
Competition prize
There is a fabulous first prize including cash & mentoring to get you started in making your dream a reality. We’ll connect you to our investor network &
help you get ready for that first investor.
Expert and mentor network
Bursary
A bursary of up to £1000 to cover living expenses is available for those students who need it to attend (full-time) and can commit to the full-time programme (30th June – 25th July 2025)
Pitch day
At the end of programme, teams will pitch their business ideas to a panel of enthusiastic early-stage investors and members of the University innovation community.
Outcomes
Competition Winner
The winning team will get cash funding to help start their new business and a package of support to make the dream a reality.
After StEP
For all teams that wish to continue, OUI will help incorporate the new company, in partnership with the same great legal & financial teams who have dealt with many of our spinouts. Then we’ll support you on the journey to making a real business out of your idea. And in most cases, 95% of the founding equity will remain with the student team.
OUI Incubator
All teams that wish to continue with their business idea will join the OUI Incubator.