Planet Positive Lab Oxford Showcase

The first-ever Planet Positive Lab Showcase in Oxford provided an exclusive preview of the Lab's first cohort of entrepreneurs, ahead of their pitching to investors at 180 Strand in London on 21 September. The day was generously sponsored by Oxford Sciences Enterprises, who not only provided catering but also three cash prizes for the founders to compete for.

The day brought together entrepreneurs, researchers and investors from across the Oxford ecosystem, celebrating the University as a rising hub of business innovation. Addresses from Alex Hammacher (Head of Strategic Operations & Corporate Finance at Oxford Science Enterprises), Robert Hannigan (Warden of Wadham) and keynote speaker, Chas Bountra (Pro-Vice Chancellor for Innovation at the University of Oxford) spoke to the drive for translating Oxford's academic breakthroughs into world-changing business applications. Planet Positive Lab was also singled out as being the first venture of its kind to spring from a College, opening new opportunities for alumni engagement.

As well as to the distinguished audience, the Planet Positive Lab had to make the case for their businesses to a specially selected panel. Wadham's own Fellow in Biology, Joe Bull, joined Rawan Farwana, Deep Tech Investor at Oxford Science Enterprises, and Nick Hawker, CEO and Founder of First Light Fusion to probe the science and strategy behind the pitches. The cohort kept their cool as the panel pushed on IP, profit, scalability, competition, and more.

The panel also acted as judges for two of the prizes. The award for best pitch went to Ubuntu, founded by Emeka Nwangele, which aims to revolutionise clean energy access in Africa by bringing smart-grid technology to under-served communities. The award for most innovative idea went to Micromelt, founded by Shirley Di Young and Xiangyu Jie, which aims to solve the problem of recycling plastics with a breakthrough green microwave technology.

MC for the day, Christiaan de Koning, kept the audience on their toes by announcing that the third prize would be decided by popular vote. The award for the audience's favourite pitch went to Aberland, founded by Phillipe Jutras, which aims to save farmland with cell-grown wheat that doesn't compromise flavour.

Whether a prize-winner or not, the cohort were all found deep in conversation with attendees as the event eased into space for networking.

Momentum grows as the founders head into the final stage of the Planet Positive Lab programme: pitching to investors in the Founders Factory HQ, London. Our many thanks to the Planet Positive Lab team, especially Kelli Ann Corney, Jamie Rowles, Micol Chisea Churchill, and Christiaan de Koning, for guiding the programme this far.

If you'd like to find out more about the programme or companies, please contact Barnaby Norman, Deputy Director of Development at barnaby.norman@wadham.ox.ac.uk.