Key facts
30
Build a range of skills
Business pitch simulation
Experience an interschool competition
All-day supervision, non-residential programme
plus industry guest speakers
Course details
The Oxford Triathlon is inspired by the Oxford Innovation Society’s black-tie event where graduates, professors, and university associates pitch their ideas, research, and business proposals investors from a wide range of business and technology areas. The Oxford Triathlon will provide students with the opportunity to develop their own innovation ideas and learn the skills needed to successfully pitch their business, perfect for the entrepreneurs and social innovators of the future.
The Three Challenges:
Debate
Focused on and around the topic of an Oxford Innovation Society start-up, student groups compete in a traditional Oxford-style debate. With clear roles assigned as proponents and opponents, students will need to take a side in the debate, and, using research skills as well as public speaking skills, do their best to convince the judges and the panel. The topic of the debate will be announced on Day 1 of the programme. Previous debate topics were: investment in space exploration and ethical questions related to wearable technology.
Writing a business proposal
A business is only as strong as the ideas, vision, and financial plans behind it. In the second challenge, students will produce a business plan that identifies, targets, and fills a niche in the market. The plan needs to be both innovative and feasible within the contexts of the competition. Previous ideas included: phone re-charging stations around Oxford, an innovative way of tackling recycling, and a brand new food delivery method.
The black-tie event
In the final stage of the Triathlon, students will take part in a black-tie event, and, very much like the dinner organised by the Oxford Innovation Society, students will have an opportunity to mingle with investors to convince them why their product is the one to invest in, and similarly, how they will invest their capital in other companies. The event is also a business simulation as not only do students have to attract investors with the right deals and business ideas, they will also have to invest in ideas and concepts that will survive the night.
To prepare for the challenges, students will work in their teams during daily challenge preparation sessions. To enable them to thrive both in the challenges and future projects, the course also includes daily skills sessions in digital literacy, debate skills, public speaking, time management, critical thinking and negotiation from our experienced teachers. Plus, students will have a lecture and seminar from an industry guest speaker, who will give them insight into the real business world.
Package Includes:
30 hours of live tuition (90-minute sessions) including guest speaker lecture and seminar
Supervision from arrival (08:30) to departure (17:00)
Lunch
Access to expert Bucksmore staff and high-quality teaching staff
Three challenges building on each other
Black tie event final challenge
Designed to help students unlock their academic potential and experience an interschool challenge
