Oxford Oracle

Bespoke innovation services from the Oracle

Investment

Ongoing Technology Scouting and Horizon Scanning for Multinational Corporation (2017–2020)

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Challenge:

A multinational company focussing on consumer electronics sought to improve its early-stage intelligence and market access to six broad technology sectors. They relied on the Oracle to provide these services.

The Oracle’s Solution:

Disciplinary experts were appointed from within the Oracle’s fellowship to head each of the six technology sectors. Each of these lead consultants was then able to rely on the Oracle’s international networks to appoint ad-hoc team members according to the precise expertise required. The Oracle used its existing relationships with universities, independent R & D facilities, research organisations, and SMEs (Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises) around the world to identify emerging technologies with great promise. Shortlists of potentially interesting innovations were created and provided to the client. The client then provided feedback on its priorities and had the opportunity to request further information. Oxford Oracle was also often called upon to undertake IP due diligence and to elucidate issues around IP protection and freedom to operate. Ultimately, for innovations of potential interest, the Oracle undertook “deep-dive” interviews and site visits as well as facilitating direct discussions between the client and the innovators driving the candidate technologies.

Consequential Impact:

In a three-year period, more than 200 innovations from almost 40 countries were shortlisted for the client. Pursuant to client meetings, 140 of these were then earmarked for deep-dive due diligence. Five deals involving company or IP acquisition have been concluded. A number of others are currently progressing positively. Furthermore, several areas of the client’s IP pre-eminence have been augmented and re-inforced. The project continues.

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.