Building & Funding Oxford Deep Tech Startups
Oxford is a global leader in deep tech, AI, and research-driven innovation — with exceptional talent, world-class research, and a growing number of ambitious spinouts. Turning world-class research into scalable, fundable companies requires navigating a distinct ecosystem
This panel brings together experts in research, founding, and early-stage investing to share practical insights on building and funding deep-tech startups from Oxford.
What to expect
Oxford’s strengths as a launchpad for deep tech, AI, and advanced technologies
The realities of spinning out from academia and transitioning from research to company-building
How early-stage investors evaluate deep-tech startups and assess technical and commercial risk
The Oxford VC and funding landscape, and how founders can position themselves for early capital
Common challenges Oxford founders face — and how to overcome them while scaling
This event is for Oxford-based founders, researchers, and early-stage investors interested in building or backing deep-tech and AI-driven startups.
Meet our speakers
Lukas Feddern is the Co-Founder and CTO of Novabook, building the best finance partner for entrepreneurs. Previously, he co-founded Seneca Learning, which grew to over 12 million users and was acquired in an eight-figure exit by GoStudent, where he went on to serve as Co-Head of Artificial Intelligence. As a Worcester College alumnus with a Master’s in Engineering, Economics, and Management, Lukas brings extensive experience in scaling technology ventures and firsthand insight into building companies within the Oxford ecosystem
Aaliya Raza is an investor and venture builder with experience at the Oxford Seed Fund, the University of Oxford–affiliated, student-and-alumni-led venture capital fund. At Oxford Seed Fund, she has worked on sourcing and evaluating early-stage startups, supporting founders through the investment process, and contributing to pre-seed investments across technology-driven sectors. She studied at Oxford Saïd Business School, with a focus on AI and emerging technologies.
Christiaan de Koning is an Oxford-based researcher and startup ecosystem builder specialising in innovation, startups, and the commercialisation of research. His research has explored the commercialisation of emerging biotechnologies, alongside practical work supporting early-stage ventures within the Oxford ecosystem. He founded Founders & Funders, an Oxford-based initiative that brings together founders, investors, researchers, and entrepreneurial alumni, and is a co-founder of the first-ever OxTech Week, convening Oxford’s technology, research, and startup communities.
Richard Oakley is a Principal at Oxford Science Enterprises where he supports the creation and growth of deep-tech ventures spun out of the University of Oxford, partnering closely with founders to translate cutting-edge science into real-world impact. His work spans early-stage investment and company building across sectors including life sciences, AI, and advanced technologies.
About Novabook
Novabook is the accounting firm for startups. We give founders access to the best UK accountants to handle all your accounting, with real humans you can call whenever you need. Alongside this, Novabook has built a software platform that automates the admin founders hate - no invoice chasing, no missed emails, and no manual payments. Novabook can help you with everything from bookkeeping, payroll and VAT to R&D claims and EMI valuations. We save founders time and money with the most responsive accounting solution for your startup.
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