Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Oxford

Blenheim Chalcot is very pleased to announce our partnership with Christ Church, Oxford, to launch a  Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation for students at the University of Oxford. Opening in early 2025, this visionary initiative will provide a transformative environment for Oxford’s undergraduate students to explore and realise their entrepreneurial potential. 

Located at 37 St Giles in the heart of Oxford, the Centre will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including classrooms, meeting rooms, and collaborative workspaces designed to inspire innovation and support creative ventures. This Centre will also serve as a focal point for Christ Church’s celebrations of its 500th anniversary in 2025. The official name of the Centre will be decided through an exciting naming competition running from 8th-22nd November, with the winner announced in the new year. 

Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said:  

“I’m delighted at the launch of the 37 St Giles Centre. As our review of university spin-out businesses for government highlighted last year, infrastructure is vital if a city is to become a hub of spin-out creation. This Centre will help us achieve our ambition of making Oxford a global innovation hub.”  

At Blenheim Chalcot, we are deeply committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Charles Mindenhall, our founding partner and a Christ Church alumnus, shared:  

"Innovative thinking and entrepreneurship lie at the heart of growing a successful economy and productive society. That is why Blenheim Chalcot is so keen to champion and support this initiative, which we hope will inspire and equip Christ Church and Oxford students to pursue entrepreneurial careers and endeavours. We look forward to making our entrepreneurial programmes and leaders available to help educate students on the skills and capabilities needed to build great new businesses and organisations." 

We are proud to bring our expertise to a cutting-edge educational programme that will focus on the core principles of entrepreneurship, spanning social and civic innovation, breakthroughs in science and technology, and other transformative domains. 

The programme will feature interactive workshops, lectures, live Q&A sessions, and funded vacation opportunities. Students will also benefit from mentorship and support provided by experienced entrepreneurs from Oxford’s alumni network and the broader innovation ecosystem at Blenheim Chalcot. 

Professor Sarah Foot, Dean of Christ Church, underscored the broader vision of this initiative:  

"Since I became Dean last year, we have been preparing to celebrate our first 500 years in 2025 and, more importantly, looking to the future and building plans to serve students for the next 500 years. The project announced today is a vital part of this work, helping students and academics make the most of the huge entrepreneurial potential within Christ Church and the wider university." 

Through this initiative, students will gain practical insights into entrepreneurship, learning from academic and industry experts while collaborating with alumni mentors to refine their ideas and transform them into impactful ventures. 

Together with Christ Church, Saïd Business School, and EnSpire Oxford, we look forward to creating a lasting impact on Oxford’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and beyond, ensuring students have access to the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive. The Centre is supported by leading entrepreneurs including Tom Blomfield, Partner at Y Combinator and Co-Founder of Monzo and GoCardless, Matt Clifford, CEO of Entrepreneur First and leader of the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, and Dan Houser, Co-Founder of Rockstar Games. 

Stay connected for updates as we prepare to open this exciting new chapter in early 2025.