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Image credits: Oxford Science Enterprises

Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), an investment firm backed by the University of Oxford, announced on Monday that it has raised £250M (approximately €294M) in funding. This brings the total amount raised to more than £850M (approximately €1B)

The capital comes from a diverse group of international investors with participation from existing and new blue-chip investors, sovereign wealth funds, family offices, pension funds, and asset managers.

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CEO Alexis Dormandy says, “We are delighted to successfully complete this new fundraising. Attracting such high-quality new and existing global investors reflects their enthusiasm for the strength of Oxford’s science and our plans to drive positive impact from it.”

Fund utilisation

OSE says the latest funds will enable it to identify exceptional science from the University of Oxford and provide initial funding and other support to create new spinouts across Life Sciences, Health Tech, and Deep Tech.

Dormandy adds, “This fundraiser comes at an exciting and pivotal time for OSE. We have built a talented team and proved our model of translating ground-breaking science into a diverse portfolio of transformational businesses. Our companies are making remarkable breakthroughs from cancer, heart failure, and infectious diseases to climate change, food security, and quantum computing. Over the next few years, we expect these companies will continue to make important progress; with our ongoing efforts and the support of our shareholders, we look forward to helping them deliver impact and returns.”

A part of the funds will enable OSE to continue to support its existing and maturing portfolio, funding increasingly large amounts of capital in later-stage funding rounds to maximise its chances of success, and increase potential returns and impact. 

Oxford Science Enterprises: What you need to know

Founded in 2015, OSE is an independent investment company that funds and builds potential businesses through its partnership with the University of Oxford.

The Oxford company actively focuses on a core portfolio of around 40 companies in three sectors – Life Sciences, Health Tech, and Deep Tech. 

Since its inception, OSE has invested in over 80 ambitious companies built on Oxford science, committing £0.5B itself and attracting over £1B from blue-chip, global co-investors.

So far, the company has helped progress 27 companies from seed to Series A, and 21  companies to Series B and beyond, including 2 IPOs and 5 trade exits.

Besides funding, OSE provides strategic business-building and operational support to its portfolio companies such as access to a global network of entrepreneurs and advisers.

OSE says it adopts a flexible, long-term investment approach, recognising the path from ground-breaking research to global markets takes time and resilience.