CELEBRATING OXFORD’S ENTREPRENEURIAL ALUMNI

Oxford has been named the UK’s leading university for spinout companies, topping the latest national rankings for the number of ventures launched from university research. To mark this milestone, we’re celebrating entrepreneurship across the Oxford alumni community, spotlighting alumni that have built impactful startups, social enterprises and pioneering ventures around the world.

Lucy Lyons (Regent’s Park, 2021)

Co-founder of Kestrix, a pioneering startup using drones and data to improve energy efficiency in buildings. Lucy and her team are tackling one of the UK’s biggest environmental challenges – heat loss in housing – with a scalable tech solution that empowers councils and homeowners to take action.

‘Our vision is to map the whole of the UK and beyond and become the data powering the built environment’s climate transition.’ 

Learn more about Kestrix

Jonathan Tan (Exeter, 2014)

Founder of Greater Change, a social enterprise providing financial support to people experiencing homelessness. Jonathan’s journey began as an Oxford student, volunteering at a local shelter. In 2017 Greater Change raised over £33,000 from more than 300 donors – including Oxford alumni – through a crowdfunding campaign. That early backing helped the project grow into a national model for person-centred giving.

‘We’re helping people in tough situations take a step forward in their lives and for that, direct financial support is often the key.’ 

Learn more about Greater Change

Paula Skokowski (St Edmund Hall, 1980)

A tech entrepreneur and executive with global experience, Paula has worked across Silicon Valley startups and sustainability ventures. She is also a champion of Oxford’s alumni networks, showing how communities like the Oxford Entrepreneurs Network help support the next generation of founders. Paula is a co-founder of the Oxford Angel Fund, a group of Oxford-educated investors united by a shared interest in backing Oxford-educated entrepreneurs.

‘Oxford gave me a grounding that enabled me to go on and do all the things I’ve done in Silicon Valley. It taught me how to think.’ 

                                             Learn more about Paula's work

Niluka Kavanagh (Somerville College, 2013)

A founder with a passion for creativity and independence, Niluka launched ImagineThat, a business school for nomadic entrepreneurs. The school helps people build purpose-led, location-independent ventures. She is focused on empowering others to turn ideas into thriving businesses that align with their lives.

'The whole concept of what we traditionally think of as work is being torn up. I’m on a mission to drive a global movement that looks at work differently.’ 

Learn more about ImagineThat