Experts in Conversation
Venturefest Oxford’s Experts in Conversation articles, interviews and videos are dedicated to giving businesses a voice to converse about an area of their expertise to further our objective of supporting the innovation ecosystem in Oxfordshire.
Experts in conversation
Latest articles
Research, industry, and AGI
A transfer of knowledge to industry is a good thing: One purpose of a university is to benefit society by disseminating knowledge, and one way this can be done is by commercialising research. Universities and research institutions are a dynamo for entrepreneurship, and for innovation in large companies. READ MORE
For success in product development – start at square zero
When it comes to the commercial success of a technology-led product, there are a number of factors that come into play along the development journey. Have the regulatory requirements been met? Can the design be produced at a viable cost? Is it possible to ensure the quality of the manufacturing process? The list goes on. READ MORE
The not-so-small matter of scale: Making it big in microfluidics
Microfluidics is a key technology enabling the development of rapid in-vitro diagnostics (IVD). With applications including COVID-19 testing, cardiac arrest assessment and STD screening, decentralised rapid diagnostics are shaping up to be a major part of the future of healthcare and wellness monitoring. READ MORE
R&D Tax Relief Schemes Update
Given the recent wide-ranging consultation on R&D tax relief, it was probably inevitable that reform of the R&D tax relief schemes (now over 20 years old) would be announced in the Chancellor’s Budget on 27 October 2021, although these announcements were headline only with more details to follow. READ MORE
EZ-Charge: Electric vehicle charging solutions made simple
5-million-pound project to bring state of the art, incredibly reliable EV Charging Infrastructure, designed and manufactured in the UK, to Oxfordshire in 2021/22. READ MORE
Forward thinking for your IP strategy
The significant challenges faced by most businesses over recent times have highlighted the importance of businesses being adaptable and agile. At the heart of ensuring your business is agile, is an effective IP strategy. READ MORE
Social Ventures: Choosing between companies limited by shares or by guarantee
When setting up a social venture in the UK, you can choose from a variety of legal structures – the most popular being a company, and specifically a private limited company. But how do you decide between a private company limited by shares or one limited by guarantee? READ MORE
Have you ever heard of Shel Kaphan?
Shel Kaphan was employee number 1 at Amazon. Without hiring Shel Kaphan in 1999, Amazon, by Jeff Bezos’ own admission, doesn’t become the thing it is today; a $1.7 Trillion giant. READ MORE
Embedding AI technology into medical devices
We find ourselves firmly in the data age, where artificial intelligence has become a critical tool in processing the staggering amount of information we produce. READ MORE
Helping new businesses plan for sustained success
During the pandemic, many quick thinkers identified opportunities to create new ventures that could mitigate its impact. Now is the ideal time to ensure that, despite the urgency to create solutions to pressing problems, these and other fast-moving businesses have been properly structured to deliver their objectives. READ MORE
Getting your IP strategy right from the start
Particularly in the case of early stage companies, it is tempting to seek to minimise costs by beginning the patenting process with a UK patent application. The official fees associated with UK applications are relatively low, and search and examination reports are issued promptly. READ MORE
What is RPO and why should Startups be using one?
For Startups and SMEs, competing with large and established companies with bigger budgets and tighter processes makes this even more difficult. RPO is a solution that can really help these companies have a fighting chance at securing the best talent. READ MORE
Experts in conversation
Business Development
With Covid-related lockdowns, travel restrictions, cancellation and postponement of conferences and events, business development activities have had to change over the last 15 months. Business relationships and partnership activities have to be developed and maintained on line and lead generation has also changed fundamentally.
In this series of conversations, we explore the shift that has taken place in business development, drawing on the experiences of three different Oxfordshire-based companies: The Electrospinning Company, Enara Bio and Saietta. Through these discussions, we explore how each company has changed its approach to business development and consider how Covid has changed the way we work, looking back over the last year, and looking forward beyond 2021.
Make connections that lead to new investments, new businesses and new ideas in the high-tech sector in Oxfordshire.