The first-ever Ox Tech Week, a four-day festival celebrating innovation, research and entrepreneurship, perfectly reflects the key strengths of the Oxfordshire ecosystem.
Running from 26-29 May, it brings together 60 speakers at Oxford’s Mathematical Institute who between them exemplify how the region with Oxford at its heart is adept at turning ideas into impactful solutions to address the key challenges facing the world today.
Key topics are AI, bioengineering, quantum, energy and space, and speakers range from entrepreneurs to academics and business experts.
Many have been nurtured by the intense learning environment that is the University of Oxford. Bob Goodison, founder of AI company Quid, which services a third of Fortune 500 companies, studied language theory at Oxford, and Ali El Kaafarani’s research into cryptography led him to set up PQShield and build quantum-resistant cryptographic systems.
Others have found Oxfordshire an ideal place to grow their companies from start-up to successful global business. Biotech entrepreneur Gordon Sanghera led Oxford Nanopore Technologies from an Oxford University spinout to a listing on the London Stock Exchange, helping make rapid and accessible genetic analysis possible worldwide. Tom Harty, CTO of IonQ, scaled his company Oxford Ionics from start-up to global technology leader before its $1.075B acquisition by IonQ in 2025. Chris Kingsley, once an Oxford chemistry graduate, made Rebellion into one of Europe's largest and most successful independent multimedia studios.
Underscoring Oxfordshire’s long-established specialism which continues to lead the world today is a keynote speaker on fusion energy: Professor David Gann, chair of UK Fusion Energy Ltd, which has its roots firmly in Culham Campus. Nuclear research has enabled the region to lead the way in robotics and autonomy – Kirsty Lloyd-Jukes CEO & Co-founder of Stateful Robotics will talk about her success in accelerating autonomous vehicle development with Latent Logic – as well as space, where two speakers, Bruno Leone a Physicist at the European Space Agency, and Tristan Valenzuela, Quantum Sensors and Technologies Programme Lead at RAL Space, will share their insights and expertise.
Attendees look set to have a fruitful week connecting with Oxfordshire’s founders, researchers, investors and industry leaders.