Oxford Oracle

Bespoke innovation services from the Oracle

Business Support

A Citizen Science Toolkit for the Re‑introduction of Beavers to Wales

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Challenge:

The Wildlife Trusts in Wales sought to re-introduce beavers some 500 years after their regional extinction. To maximise the chances of successful re-introduction, they identified an urgent need to create a monitoring programme that could rely on citizen scientists from across the country to willingly undertake meaningful reporting. To achieve this, they needed a partner with experience and expertise in
(1) science and scientific best practice (including zoology and ecology);
(2) design and implementation of monitoring programmes to be run at scale by volunteer, lay participants; and
(3) creation of engaging, tractable and appealing digital assets (including interactive web resources, apps, dynamic offline documents, databases, and videos); and
(4) the ability to closely replicate these materials in both English and Welsh.

Oxford Oracle was selected to achieve the required outcomes.

The Oracle’s Solution:

The Oracle assembled fellows who were experts in zoology, the public understanding of science, and biologists who were fluently bilingual in Welsh and English. Working with the Welsh Wildlife Trusts and Cofnod (the North Wales Environmental Records Centre), a reliable and simple process for recording beaver sightings via either smartphone apps or a simple web form was agreed. Electronic documents including “Spot a Beaver”, “Wildlife Facilitated by Beavers” and “Report a Beaver Sighting” were produced via iterative consultation with key stakeholders and, finally, explanatory videos were created to promote easy adoption of the biological guides and reporting advice.

Consequential Impact:

The citizen science toolkit has been successfully deployed and the monitoring programme is an ongoing success. The client reports that the programme instituted with the Oracle is considered innovative and has enjoyed success beyond expectation. The procedures are to be adapted for replication within initiatives driven by other wildlife trusts.

Pre-Incubator Programme to Improve Venture Capital Outcomes (2020-21)

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Challenge:

A large venture capital fund with a focus on patient capital approaches sought to establish a pre-incubator programme for new founders and managers who are drawn from university environments. The client was concerned that entrants into its established incubator programme tended to face two key challenges:

  1. They struggled to articulate the customer problem that their business solves.
  2. They were insufficiently prepared to optimise their profitability whilst in the incubator.

The Oracle’s Solution:

The Oracle undertook an interview-based scoping exercise with key stakeholders. Three workshops were then held for both managers within the client organisation as well as by representatives of current incubatee companies. The outcome of these workshops was agreement on ten half-day pre-incubator sessions which were tailored to the priority needs of the start-ups most likely to be admitted into the generously-funded full incubator programme. The pre-incubator programme was then delivered over a three-month period, being adaptively refined over the delivery period in line with beneficiaries’ needs. The base structure for the programme was anchored to the following priorities:

Business ModelsCustomer Conversations
Technology Push vs Market PullProtecting Intellectual Property
Kinetic ExecutionData Commercialisation
Demonstrating Market PotentialRaising Finance
Planning for PitchingExit Opportunities

Consequential Impact:

The pre-incubator programme was conducted for 38 beneficiaries representing 17 start-ups and the feedback was unanimously positive. Several technologies were submitted to the Oracle for Freedom-to-Operate analyses and to obtain IP protections. The client noted in particular that participant interaction during the programme was excellent and that optional post-session clinic sessions were heavily over-subscribed. It was agreed that the programme, as adapted in line with changing needs, is to be delivered annually on a repeat basis.

Innovation Support Partnership in the Western Balkans for Development Bank (2017–2020)

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Challenge:

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development determined to finance projects which would promote entrepreneurship in several Balkan nations and encourage them further towards open market-oriented economies. Part of this initiative included finance for the development of science parks to be tightly articulated with existing multipartite bases of research. These science parks needed to be initiated with optimal processes and ideal initial tenants such that the parks would be maximally successful and enjoy indefinite longevity.

The Oracle’s Solution:

The Oracle deployed a team of fellows who had extensive previous experience in the design, monitoring and management of science parks. This experience covered geographies in Europe, the Middle East, South America and Australasia.

Extensive frameworks of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and priority activities for incubators and technology parks were presented to the Bank and its end beneficiaries for comment, iterative development, and ultimate agreement.

These KPIs and activities were then deployed in the establishment of three science park precincts. Estate partners were appointed and park administrators and champions were recruited. Keystone tenants were identified and incentive schemes were enacted to attract optimal networks of occupants within the parks’ communities. Six months of mentorship was provided to new SME tenants within each park.

Consequential Impact:

The science parks are running successfully and serve as a critical innovation nexus for the universities and research centres which they serve. They are central components of burgeoning, interconnected innovation ecosystems.

Benchmarking Best Practice and Horizon Scanning for a Public Science and Technology Centre (2014–2016)

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Challenge:

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, a national science and technology centre sought to benchmark against other interactive centres from around the world which are also dedicated to improving the public understanding of science. This client sought to appreciate and consolidate its strengths, identify and remedy any shortcomings, and gain intelligence such that it was a leader throughout its next quarter of a century.

The Oracle’s Solution:

Specialist fellows from six disciplines spanning physical sciences, life sciences, engineering, medicine, mathematics and chemistry led within their spheres of competence. These fellows consulted colleagues in schools, universities and industry to identify current and future priorities for applied science and technology. With client agreement, eleven leading international interactive sciences were subjected to detailed assessment. These included the following entities:

  • Exploratorium (San Francisco, US),
  • La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie (Paris, France),
  • Explore (now called “We the Curious” in Bristol, UK),
  • Science World (Vancouver Canada),
  • Museo Participativo de Ciencias (Buenos Aires, Argentina),
  • Science Centre Singapore, and
  • Arizona Science Center (Phoenix, US).

Interviews were conducted with key leaders and thorough exhibit assessments were undertaken. Gap analyses were combined synergistically with the findings from horizon-scanning activities to provide guidance on the future creation of unique, successful and innovative exhibits.

Consequential Impact:

The client centre performed exceptionally well throughout benchmarking activity and thus benefited from the reassurance that its ongoing quest for excellence is warranted. Where areas for potential improvement were identified, these were successfully implemented with the Oracle’s assistance provided that they were in alignment with the centre’s key priorities. Excellent networks with other leading interactive science centres were initiated and these remain active to the present day. Numerous new exhibitits providing hand-on experience of key issues in fields ranging from biotechnology to data analytics and encryption to psychology are now in place for the enjoyment and education of all.

Business Support for UK Government Local Enterprise Partnership (2017)

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Challenge:

Provision of fresh and bespoke business consultancy support to a diverse set of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) which were in receipt of both practical and financial support via a scheme provided by a leading UK regional government.

The Oracle’s Solution:

The Oracle drew on the varied skillsets of its fellows to provide both counsel and real-world progress on issues including fundraising, market assessment, business planning and business assessment.

Consequential Impact:

A vibrant business community of practice was established and this community continues to thrive in the present day.  More than 150 early-stage and growing companies were supported and more than GBP 40 million pounds was collectively raised via both private and government sources.