The Oxford Moonshot
Move your deeptech venture from validated idea towards investment-readiness with Oxford’s pre-seed accelerator.
Interested in applying but want to know more before applying? Sign up to the online info session on 20 October
Programme Overview
The Oxford Moonshot, delivered by EnSpire Oxford, is the University's pre-seed accelerator for DPhil students and early-career researchers building high-potential deeptech ventures.
For researchers with a validated idea who want to commit to work towards investment readiness and incorporation.
Built for founders developing technologies in Health & Life Sciences, or National Resilience, the programme’s vertical focus provides deep-industry expertise and pathways to focused investors, incubators and labs. To find out more about the verticals see below.
Over four months, you will learn alongside a cohort of fellow founders through in-person peer sessions, deep dives with expert guest speakers, and ongoing mentoring and coaching. The core programme ends with a Demo Day, where you pitch for equity-free prizes, investment opportunities and exposure. Committed founders will be invited to progress into Flight 2 of the programme between May-July for tailored support.
Applications open 25 September and close 30 October 2026.
The programme is free of charge and no equity is taken.
How to apply
Applications are highly competitive. Join the online information session on 20 October to find out more, then submit your application by 30 October. Successful applicants will be notified by 9 November.
Programme applicant is a University of Oxford DPhil candidate (or alum ≤2 years) or an Early Career Researcher (0–5 years post-DPhil)
Validated proof of concept, prototype, or MVP (TRL 3+)
Demonstrated traction e.g. early adopters, pilots, early customers, investor interest, LOIs
Prior entrepreneurship training, e.g. StEP Ignite, Oxford Venture Builder, OX1, Oxbridge AI Challenge, or external equivalent
Open to challenge and to be challenged
Committed to building your venture and engaging with the programme
For the 2026/27 academic year, the programme will focus on two verticals, Health & Life Sciences and National Resilience.
Health & Life Sciences
- Diagnostics and Early Detection
- Biomarkers, medical imaging, biosensors, molecular diagnostics, screening and point-of-care technologies
- Therapeutics and Drug Development
- Drug discovery, therapeutic platforms, precision therapeutics, immunotherapies, cell and gene therapies
- Medical Technologies and Intervention
- Medical devices, surgical technologies, robotics, implants, assistive technologies and regenerative approaches
- Genomics, Data and Disease Prediction
- Genomics, multi-omics, computational biology, health data, AI, risk prediction and disease modelling
- Healthcare Delivery and Prevention
- Preventative health, digital health, remote monitoring, clinical pathways, primary and community care, health systems and implementation
- Biotechnology and Engineering Biology
- Engineering biology, synthetic biology, bioprocessing, biological production platforms and enabling biotechnology
National Resilience
- Secure Digital Systems
- Cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, communications, data infrastructure
- Resilient Infrastructure
- Energy, transport, construction, water, infrastructure monitoring
- Sovereign Supply and Industry
- Advanced manufacturing, critical materials, supply chains, semiconductors
- Health Security and Biosecurity
- Diagnostics, biotechnology, healthcare resilience, pandemic preparedness
- Food, Water and Climate Security
- Agriculture, water, climate adaptation, environmental monitoring
- Security, Space and Dual-Use
- Space, robotics, autonomous systems, sensing, defence technologies
The Oxford Moonshot is an application-based programme.
Dates for 2026/2027:
- Applications open: Friday 25 September
- Online information session: Tuesday 20 October
- Applications close: Friday 30 October
- Successful applications notified: Monday 9 November
- Pre-programme applicant lunch: Monday 1 December
- Moonshot Residency Weekend: January 2027
- The Oxford Moonshot - Flight 1: January – May 2027
- The Oxford Moonshot - Flight 2: May – July 2027
The Oxford Moonshot Demo Day 2026.
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