OHT Oxford: Investing in Inclusive Innovation

For pre-investment founders and early-stage start-ups, there’s a constant pressure to move fast and build big. But how do these forces interact with inclusion, in particular, where real accessibility might compel the opposite: to stay local, think more deeply, and go slower?

Join Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE), Oxford MedTech Society and One HealthTech (OHT) Oxford for a unique panel discussion with leading entrepreneurs and investors who have grappled with questions at the intersection of innovation and inclusion. We'll also end with a fun interactive activity to learn and unpick these tensions together.

We’ll hear from real people who have built HealthTech innovations based on this intersection, insights from investors on how to make mission-driven businesses impactful, alongside those investing in life sciences companies at the outset on how to balance scalability and accessibility.

Whether you’re a founder (or aspiring one), a clinician, or someone interested in the future of health equity, come along for a drink, networking (but fun), and some hot takes.

Who you’ll hear from:

• Lily Elsner (CEO & Co-Founder, Jack Fertility)

• Ali Jawad (Co-Founder, Accessorcise and Paralympian)

• Lauren Laing, Senior Associate, HealthTech at OSE

• Emily Matthews, Responsible Investment & ESG Manager at OSE

• Antonia Jenkinson (CFO at OSE and former CFFO of ARIA)

• Brandy Coote, Co-Lead of OHT Oxford (Panel Chair)

Here’s how the evening’s shaping up: 

6:00–6:15pm - Come in, grab a drink, get comfy 

6:15–6:20pm - Welcome from OHT Oxford Co-Lead Brandy & OSE Operating Partner Katherine Ward

6:20–7:00pm - Panel with hot takes, interjections, challenges and questions and comments

7:00–7:30pm - Interactive activity with audience 

7:30– 8:00pm - Stick around for informal networking, drinks, canapés and good chats

8:00pm - Officially done – go home, kids!

About the organisers

Oxford Science Enterprises (OSE) transforms Oxford’s world-leading science into world-changing, billion-pound companies. With a strategic relationship with the University of Oxford, it has scaled 50+ breakout companies, with a strong pipeline of spinouts emerging.

One HealthTech (OHT) is a grassroots, volunteer-led, global community that exists to support and promote better equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the health innovation sector. Their Oxford hub began in 2025 and has hosted panel discussions and socials, bringing together like-minded individuals in Oxford who are interested in and working at the intersections of health, technology, and equity.

Oxford MedTech Society is a vibrant student-led community dedicated to exploring the transformative potential of medical technology. Through engaging events, insightful talks from key industry leaders, and collaborative opportunities, they also provide a platform for learning, networking, and co-creation in the rapidly evolving MedTech field.

A note from the organisers 

To make it easier for everyone to join our events, we rotate the times and venues so we can fit around different schedules and commitments. We understand that this event may clash with caring responsibilities, but we decided to host it in the evening to remain accessible to those who may have not been able to attend our previous morning events, as well as to suit students and employees who may be in the lab/office during the day. 

We have an Accessibility Fund which you can apply to if there are any barriers to engaging in the community (think a little fund to contribute to costs for child/other care, taxis if travelling around is tricky, trains if you live out in the countryside, a live-captioner, recording of the event or loss of earnings if you have a side job along your studies). Do also keep an eye out for our other events, which happen at different times if this works better for you, e.g., our OxBrews series are typically in the mornings. 

We also know that showing up to an event like this can feel like a big deal...walking into a space of new faces isn’t always easy. Feel free to reach out to Brandy or Zoya in advance, and let us know if we can do anything to make the event more accessible and welcoming. 

Please note that registration will close at 12pm (BST) on the 7th July. Thanks!