Founders Network
The ZERO Founders
Network
The ZERO Founders Network is an entrepreneurial hub embedded within the ZERO Institute at Oxford University. Its mission is to empower the brightest minds in the fight against climate change, connecting entrepreneurs, academics, students and funders to catalyse the development and deployment of zero-carbon energy solutions.
The long-term vision of the Founders Network is to establish a programme for entrepreneurial fellowships, as well as the physical space for climate tech incubation.
The Network is initially growing within Oxford University but welcomes everyone with an interest in climate tech.
Join the Dynamo Team
The Dynamo Team is the brilliant community of individual specialists who support the Founders Network through opportunities including, but not limited to mentorship, speaking at events, expert advice and funding.
If you are interested in volunteering as part of the Dynamo Team please express your interest below. The Founders Network will reach out when there are opportunities that best fit your interests and expertise.
What We Do
The Founders Network runs workshops, training and networking for founders as well as those interested in the process of translating research into a business.
See the events page for the latest opportunities.
Oxford Climate Ventures
Oxford Climate Ventures is the flagship programme for climate entrepreneurship at Oxford University run by the ZERO Institute in partnership with Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre.
This annual 12-week programme supports innovators working on the energy transition, climate mitigation or adaptation to develop new business ideas or explore ‘spinning out’ a solution from their research.
Upcoming events
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Past events
Access to Finance Conference 2026
Event date - March 12, 2026
Event time - 9:30 am
Discover groundbreaking opportunities at Oxford North, Oxford’s newest and best-connected innovation district. Connect with leading ... Read more
How to Spin out Your Climate-Tech Research 2026
Event date - March 6, 2026
Event time - 10:00 am
A full-day workshop for Oxford academics exploring climate-tech spinouts. The How to Spin out Your Climate-Tech Research Workshop ... Read more
Founders & Funders Monthly Event: Climate Tech
Event date - March 3, 2026
Event time - 5:00 pm
Join us on Tuesday the 3rd of March 2026 for innovation and entrepreneurship-themed talks, followed by an informal networking social. ... Read more
How to power Climate and Energy Ventures
Event date - February 26, 2026
Event time - 5:00 pm
Join us at the Oxford Martin School for a talk by Ben Soltoff of MIT’s Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship! In this session, Ben ... Read more
The future of climate tech through the lens of synthetic biology
Event date - February 4, 2026
Event time - 5:00 pm
Join us for a multidisciplinary discussion to gain a comprehensive overview of Synthetic Biology, highlighting how advances in the field can contribute to achieving Net Zero emissions and fostering sustainable innovation. Read more
Oxford Climate Ventures pitching night
Event date - January 28, 2026
Event time - 4:30 pm
Join the ZERO Institute and Oxford Saïd Entrepreneurship Centre for our pitching night, celebrating the conclusion of the Oxford ... Read more
Oxmas Social by ZERO ECR Network
Event date - December 4, 2025
Event time - 4:30 pm
As we close a full and vibrant Michaelmas Term in Oxford, our Oxmas Social brings together the ZERO Institute's ECR community, Oxford ... Read more
The ZERO Institute’s John Goodenough Lecture 2025
Event date - December 3, 2025
Event time - 4:30 pm
The ZERO Institute, in collaboration with St Catherine's College and the Oxford Department of Chemistry, is delighted to host the ... Read more
The entrepreneurial mindset – what does it take to spinout climate-related academic research?
Event date - October 21, 2025
Event time - 12:00 pm
Being an academic researcher can provide a great foundation to become a founder, and playing to strengths is essential. But some parts ... Read more
Scaling Climate-Tech from Lab to Market
Event date - September 29, 2025
Event time - 3:00 pm
The collaborative project “Scaling Climate-Tech from Lab to Market – Developing a Growth Playbook for Oxford’s ZERO Founders Network”, ... Read more
How to Spin out Your Climate-Tech Research
Event date - June 27, 2025
Event time - 10:00 am
A full-day workshop for Oxford academics exploring climate-tech spinouts The How to Spin out Your Climate-Tech Research Workshop is ... Read more
Climake it happen: careers, capital & innovation in climate tech
Event date - March 10, 2025
Event time - 6:00 pm
The ZERO Institute’s Founders Network is co-hosting an engaging panel discussion designed to illuminate the dynamic intersection of ... Read more
Oxford BuildX Hackathon
Event date - March 8, 2025
Event time - 9:30 am
Co-hosted by The ZERO Institute's Founders Network: Backed by top-notch European founders (Fabian, SLAY and Din, Buena) and startup ... Read more
Materials for the Energy Transition
Event date - February 27, 2025
Event time - 5:00 pm
Materials for the Energy Transition: Assessing the Feasibility of a Zero-Carbon Energy System Through the Lens of Material ... Read more
Y Combinator @ Oxford
Event date - November 25, 2024
Event time - 5:30 pm
Calling all start-up enthusiasts, aspiring founders and curious minds to join us for an inspiring talk by Tom Blomfield, Group Partner at Y Combinator and Co-Founder of Monzo Bank. Read more
More from ZERO Institute
About the ZERO Institute
We want to shape the transition to a just and fair global zero-carbon energy system, through research that unifies technology, policy, and people.
Our People
The ZERO Institute is a multi-disciplinary hub for zero-carbon energy research, bringing together academics from across the University of Oxford.
Latest News
Catch up on the latest news and events to see how ZERO is driving the transition to a zero-carbon energy system.