2026
Do you have what it takes?
Five weeks, three sprints, from idea to pre-seed ready. Free to join, with £5,000 of equity-free prize money.
Who it is for
From Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial, or the co-founder of someone who is. Solo founders welcome.
Anywhere from ideation to pre-seed.
Before the next Oxbridge AI Challenge opens in early 2027.
How it works
Each sprint has a deliverable and a deadline. Miss a deadline and you are out.
Talk to 200 potential customers in two weeks.
Build the smallest thing that proves it.
Turn it into a way to sell, then pitch at the Finals.
Dates
All times are UK time. Most sessions are online.
“Entrepreneurship is hard. We’ll teach you how to suffer.”Growth Track 2026
What you get
From operators and investors in the Oxbridge AIx network.
Founders, researchers and builders from Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial.
Winners go straight into the next Oxbridge AI Challenge.
Equity-free, awarded at the Finals.
Partners
More partners may join this cohort. Want to support it? Write to team@oxbridgeaix.uk.
Questions
No. The Challenge is the pitch competition for startups with traction, in early 2027. The Growth Track gets earlier teams ready for it.
No. It is free for selected teams, and the £5,000 prize money is equity-free.
Yes. Solo founders are welcome.
A lot, for five weeks. Treat it as your main project.
Apply
Applications close on Monday 2 November at 12:00. You apply on Ignite, the Oxbridge AIx platform.
With Tuki. New here? Create an account and verify your email.
Your profile, your idea and your team. Devika, the Ignite assistant, can help.
On your own or with your team. A deck and a video are optional.
At least one person on your team must be from Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial. Questions? Write to team@oxbridgeaix.uk.