OSEF Pitching Competition Application

The event brings together prominent entrepreneurs, innovators, business leaders and investors for a meaningful exploration of how individuals and businesses can transform the world. We’re looking for students, staff and alumni from the University of Oxford to pitch their ventures to a panel of investors and the global OSEF audience, with the chance of winning a cash prize.

Key dates: 

• You will be notified if you have been successful by Monday 10th November.
• Semi final will be the week of 10th November 
• Pitching workshop week of 17th November 

The pitching competition and forum are taking place on November 28th 2025. The Entrepreneurship Centre will invite guest investors to evaluate businesses to determine who will win the cash prize. Please note, you must be available for this date.

Business criteria

• Applications are welcome from individuals or teams, but must contain at least one student, alumnus or staff member from the University of Oxford.
• The business is incorporated.
• The business has not extended beyond seed funding into Series A or further.

Businesses from all sectors are welcome to apply, and up to 5 teams will be selected to pitch at the final event at OSEF. Ventures not selected to pitch at the competition may be invited to exhibit their venture on the day.

We look forward to receiving your application. If you have any questions concerning the application please email: osef@sbs.ox.ac.uk. 

Application process
Applicants will be shortlisted from their submissions to pitch in-person at an semi final round at Saïd Business School. 

The final teams will be selected from the semi final and provided with pitching training to hone their skills prior to the final event at OSEF.