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GROW: Building Social Ventures: Lessons from Oxford University Innovation (online)

Philippa Christoforou, Social Venture Lead, Oxford University Innovation

Wednesday, 11 March 2026, 12.30pm to 2pm

Join Philippa Christoforou, Social Venture Lead at Oxford University Innovation, for an inspiring GROW session on building businesses that create positive social and environmental impact. Discover practical strategies for turning research into ventures that tackle global challenges, and learn how to embed purpose and sustainability into your entrepreneurial journey.

Event Details

Presented as part of GROW programme, Philippa Christoforou, Social Venture Lead at Oxford University Innovation, will share insights on creating businesses that deliver both social and environmental impact. Drawing on her experience supporting Oxford researchers to launch ventures tackling poverty, homelessness, and climate change, Philippa will explore what makes a social enterprise successful and how to embed purpose into company culture from the start.

The session will cover:

  • Why social ventures matter in addressing global challenges.
  • Practical steps for turning research into impactful businesses.
  • How crowdfunding and community engagement can accelerate change.
  • Building ecosystems that support socially responsible innovation.

Whether you’re a researcher, entrepreneur, or simply curious about aligning business with societal good, this talk will offer inspiration and actionable strategies to help you make a difference.

learning outcomes

By the end of this session, participants will:

  • Understand the role of social ventures in addressing global challenges.
  • Identify key steps for transforming research into impactful businesses.
  • Explore strategies for embedding purpose and sustainability in startups.
  • Gain insights into funding and community engagement for social enterprises.

Booking information

Register for your place at the event here.

DATE / TIME

11th March 2026  | 12.30 - 14.00

INTENDED FOR

D.Phil. students, postdoctoral researchers, and anyone interested in turning their ideas into social ventures.

About the speaker

Picture of Philippa Christiforou Oxford University Innovation, Social Venture Lead

Philippa Christoforou is the Social Venture Lead at Oxford University Innovation, where she supports businesses with embedded social or environmental missions. Since 2022, she has driven the growth of ventures tackling global challenges such as poverty, homelessness, and climate change. Philippa co-founded OxReach, OUI’s crowdfunding platform, which has delivered six successful campaigns, including Greater Change, helping over 500 people out of homelessness. Her work builds on four years of experience supporting university spinouts, including Inkpath, Oxford Molecular Biosensors, and PalaeoPi. She is committed to developing a strong ecosystem of socially responsible businesses through investment, governance expertise, and strategic partnerships.

The session is delivered in collaboration with the Oxford University Innovation. 

Oxford University Innovation Logo

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS

When registering for this course, please check our Terms and Conditions.