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Oxford+

Oxford+

Susannah de Jager

Welcome to Oxford+, the podcast series that explores the myths and truths of the Oxford investing landscape hosted by Susannah de Jager. Since moving to Oxford, Susannah has collaborated with experts, entrepreneurs, and government to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital. Oxford+ aims to inform, inspire, and connect. We'll talk to Founders, investors, academics, politicians, and facilitators and explore how Oxford is open for business.

18 - Risk and Reward in Early-Stage Tech Investments with George Robinson, Founding Partner of Oxford Investment Consultants
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  • 18 - Risk and Reward in Early-Stage Tech Investments with George Robinson, Founding Partner of Oxford Investment Consultants

    In this episode, Susannah de Jager is joined by George Robinson, founding partner of Oxford Investment Consultants (OIC). Established in 2015, OIC has directed substantial investments into early-stage technology and biotech companies originating from Oxford and other UK universities, particularly focusing on high-potential, innovative spinouts.

    The conversation explores Robinson's journey from investing in listed equities in Asia to championing early-stage technology ventures in the UK. Throughout the episode, George shares insights into the challenges of university spinouts, discussing the complexities of evaluating new technologies, the strategic importance of assembling a well-rounded team, and the essential qualities he seeks in leadership.

    (00:00) - Introduction (00:18) - Meet George Robinson: Founding Partner of Oxford Investment Consultants (01:36) - George's Journey: From Listed Equities to University Spinouts (03:30) - Challenges and Opportunities in University Spinouts (04:18) - Building a Strong Investment Team (06:00) - Navigating Market Fit and Commercial Success (07:20) - Overcoming Technical and Commercial Hurdles (19:37) - The Importance of Team Evolution (24:44) - Funding Challenges and Strategies (34:18) - Evaluating Market Potential and Competitors (39:13) - Spotlight on Oxford PV: A Promising Solar Technology (40:48) - Conclusion and Farewell
    About the guest:
    George Robinson is the founding partner of Oxford Investment Consultants, a firm advising on investments in spinout companies from Oxford and other UK universities. Since its founding in 2015, the firm has invested over £70 million in 35 companies, targeting early-stage ventures in technology and biotech.

    An active investor with a keen focus on Oxford’s innovation landscape, Robinson was an early backer and former board member of companies like Adaptive Immune Therapeutics and Immunocore. He is also a founding partner of Technicos, a private equity firm investing in spinouts from Oxford's Institute of Biomedical Engineering.

    With a distinguished career that began in listed equities, Robinson co-founded Sloan Robinson in 1993, focusing on global investments with a speciality in Asia and emerging markets. An Honorary Fellow of Keble College, Oxford, he holds a B.A. in Engineering Science and has served on Oxford University’s Endowment Investment Committee.

    Connect with George on LinkedIn

    About the host:
    Susannah de Jager is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

    Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn

    Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
    If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

    Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    Mon, 18 Nov 2024
  • 17 - Charting Fresh Career Paths with Sue Douglas, Co-Founder of Veer

    In this episode, Susannah de Jager is joined by Sue Douglas, Co-Founder of Veer, a pioneering journalist and media consultant turned tech entrepreneur.

    Through their conversation, Sue brings a fresh perspective to the Oxford innovation landscape, drawing from her experience in journalism and her new venture, Veer—a machine learning start-up which focuses on transforming the recruitment process by shifting the emphasis from traditional experience to an individual's skills, ambitions, and potential.

    Sue shares the inspiration behind Veer, her journey back into academia, and the role AI can play in uncovering career paths that align more authentically with an individual’s interests and capabilities. She reflects on her unconventional career path, her experience navigating Oxford’s start-up ecosystem, and her vision for a more inclusive, skill-based approach to work.

    (00:00) - Oxford+ S2 E5 Charting Fresh Career Paths with Sue Douglas, Co-Founder of Veer (02:33) - The Birth of Veer: From Idea to Reality (05:02) - Navigating Recruitment with AI (09:05) - The Importance of Valued Work (17:05) - Challenges and Opportunities in Oxford (26:57) - Future of Veer and Final Thoughts
    About the guest:
    Sue Douglas is a seasoned journalist, media consultant, and tech entrepreneur with a diverse and accomplished career. She began her career in management consultancy and transitioned into medical journalism before taking on editorial roles at prominent publications like the Daily Mail, The Sunday Times, The Sunday Express, and Condé Nast.

    Following a severe horse-riding accident, Sue continued her consultancy work and, in 2022, co-founded Veer, a machine learning start-up with Professor Sir Nigel Shadbolt. Veer focuses on reshaping recruitment by prioritising skills over experience, helping individuals uncover career paths aligned with their unique talents and ambitions.

    Connect with Sue on LinkedIn

    About the host:
    Susannah de Jager is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

    Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn

    Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
    If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

    Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    Mon, 04 Nov 2024
  • 16 - From Oxford MBA to Startup CEO with Lily Elsner, Co-Founder of Jack Fertility

    In this episode, Susannah de Jager welcomes Lily Elsner, CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility. The conversation explores Lily’s journey from the US, to becoming a startup founder in Oxford. Lily shares her experiences across various roles in Oxford, highlighting how the support ecosystem within Oxford helped to shape her entrepreneurial path. The conversation also focuses on Jack Fertility, how the service aims to address male infertility, the hurdles faced by female founders, the potential for more integrated ecosystems in Oxford and the importance of gender inclusivity in business leadership

    (00:00) - Introduction to Male Infertility (00:26) - Meet Lily Elsner: CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility (01:51) - Lily's Journey to Oxford and Career Path (03:20) - The Oxford Ecosystem and Its Opportunities (04:25) - Challenges and Opportunities in Oxford (08:56) - Founding Jack Fertility: The Inspiration and Journey (15:17) - Breaking Taboos and Technological Innovations (18:44) - Barriers to Male Fertility Treatment (21:16) - Innovative Postal Fertility Testing (23:53) - Direct-to-Consumer vs. B2B Models (25:07) - Challenges in the UK Investment Landscape (28:03) - Current Fundraising Efforts (31:52) - Gender Bias in Venture Capital (37:44) - Strategies to Mitigate Gender Bias (41:52) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts
    About the guest:
    Lily Elsner is the CEO and Co-Founder of Jack Fertility, the first postal sperm testing service. With a background in Biological Sciences and Philosophy from Wellesley College, Lily’s career began in global M&A before moving to the UK for an MBA at the University of Oxford. She has held strategic roles in the biotech industry, rediscovering her passion for science and innovation. Co-founding Jack Fertility, Lily is committed to providing accessible and stigma-free fertility solutions and advocating for more gender inclusivity in the tech and health sectors.

    Connect with Lily on Linkedin

    About the host:
    Susannah de Jager is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

    Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn

    Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
    If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

    Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    Mon, 21 Oct 2024
  • 15 - Navigating Market Dynamics with Marcus Stuttard, Head of AIM and UK Primary Markets at The London Stock Exchange

    In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager speaks with Marcus Stuttard, Head of AIM and UK Primary Markets at the London Stock Exchange. The conversation centres around the evolving regulatory landscape for small and medium-sized businesses seeking public listings, focusing on AIM, the London Stock Exchange’s market for growth companies. Stuttard also shares insights on liquidity in UK markets, the significance of the Mansion House Compact, and the potential of regulatory changes, such as MIFID II adjustments, to improve market access and investment opportunities for smaller companies.

    (1:16) Understanding AIM and Market Reforms
    (5:04) The UK Funding Continuum and Pisces
    (16:15) Liquidity and Market Comparisons
    (24:23) The Role of Pension Funds in UK Markets
    (34:33) MIFID II and Equity Research Landscape

    About the guest:
    Marcus Stuttard is the head of AIM, the London Stock Exchange's market for small and medium-sized businesses. Marcus has a particular focus on boosting access to finance for ambitious growth companies and sits on a number of industry and policy advisory bodies, including the Scale Up Institute's Access to Finance and Growth Capital Committee and the Institute of Directors, Centre for Corporate Governance Advisory Board. He has played a leading role in key capital market developments, including the most recent revision of the listing rules.

    Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn

    About the host:
    Susannah de Jager is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

    Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn

    Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
    If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

    Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    Mon, 07 Oct 2024
  • 14 - Harnessing Local and Global Talent with Sarah Haywood, Managing Director of Advanced Oxford

    In this episode of Oxford+, host Susannah de Jager is joined by the Managing Director of Advanced Oxford, Sarah Haywood, to explore talent retention and the challenges faced by businesses in attracting global talent due. Sarah also conveys the need for investment, the role of local and international investors, and potential policy changes to support economic growth through science and innovation.

    (1:34) Understanding Advanced Oxford
    (7:18) Challenges and Opportunities in Oxfordshire
    (16:54) Talent Retention and Education
    (23:57) Resources to Aid Engagement
    (37:31) Looking to the Future

    About the guest:
    Sarah Haywood is the Managing Director of Advanced Oxford, a membership organisation that aims to promote Oxfordshire and its innovation businesses, and create one coherent voice for the region at a policy level supported by grassroots research.  Previously Sarah was CEO, then a NED of MedCity, a life sciences cluster organisation for London and the southeast of England. She started her career in the NHS, has worked in the pharma industry and as a senior civil servant on a number of policy teams within the Department for Business. She's also a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford's newest college, Rueben College.

    Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn

    About the host:
    Susannah de Jager is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in UK asset management. She has worked closely with industry experts, entrepreneurs, and government officials to shape the conversation around domestic scale-up capital.

    Connect with Susannah on LinkedIn

    Visit our website to learn more and subscribe to our newsletter - oxfordplus.co.uk
    If you have a question for Susannah, please get in touch - oxfordplus.co.uk/contact

    Oxford+ is hosted by Susannah de Jager, supported by Mishcon de Reya and produced and edited by Story Ninety-Four in Oxford.

    Mon, 23 Sep 2024
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