Oxford SDG Impact Lab
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is a University of Oxford initiative that runs five scholarship and fellowship programs pairing Oxford students with industry, government, and civil society partners to conduct research advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Oxford SDG Impact Lab does
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is an academic initiative of the University of Oxford that operates a portfolio of five fellowship and scholarship programs connecting Oxford students with external organizations to conduct research advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The undergraduate offering, the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, runs an 18-month leadership development journey for first-year Oxford undergraduates culminating in international Leadership in Action placements; the four graduate Impact Labs (Business, Sport, Community, and Local Policy) pair Masters and PhD-level students with industry, community, sports, and government partners respectively. A sixth stream, the Rosberg Climate Fellows, was added in partnership with Rosberg Philanthropies to focus on climate and direct air capture research.
The lab has no proprietary technology platform; its "products" are research deliverables, policy recommendations, and student development outputs produced through human-led project work. Its customer segments are bilateral: students (who receive the program at no cost) and partner organizations (who receive research, talent access, and reputational positioning). The business model is non-commercial, funded by University of Oxford institutional support, philanthropic grants from The Laidlaw Foundation and Rosberg Philanthropies, and research council funding (UKRI-ESRC).
The organization is small (1-10 employees) and operates from Oxford, with a partner ecosystem of 25+ organizations spanning enterprise (BMW, Climeworks, Neste, EasyJet Holidays), government (Oxfordshire County Council, UN Tourism), UN bodies (UNDP), sports organizations (F1, Silverstone, Oxfordshire FA, Active Oxfordshire), and civil society (TAP Social Movement, OIEP, OCA). It is led under Professor Alexander Betts as Co-Founder and Pro Vice Chancellor for External Engagement, with Ruby Anne Birin serving as Programme Manager.
Oxford SDG Impact Lab firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Oxford SDG Impact Lab
- Legal name
- Oxford SDG Impact Lab
- Website
- https://sdglab.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Oxford SDG Impact Lab is a University of Oxford initiative that runs five scholarship and fellowship programs pairing Oxford students with industry, government, and civil society partners to conduct research advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Oxford SDG Impact Lab industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainability Research and Education Services
- NAICS
- Educational Support Services (611710), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate) (EDAIAIAF)
Keywords
Where Oxford SDG Impact Lab is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Oxford SDG Impact Lab business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- University of Oxford Core Funding: As an initiative of the University of Oxford, the lab receives institutional funding and support from the university infrastructure.
- Partnership Contributions: Partner organizations contribute to the program by providing research projects, mentorship, and in some cases financial support (e.g., Rosberg Philanthropies funds the Rosberg Climate Fellows programme).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Oxford SDG Impact Lab product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is an initiative of the University of Oxford that connects Oxford undergraduate and graduate students with industry, government, and community partners to deliver research projects advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It operates a portfolio of five programs: the Laidlaw Scholarship Programme for undergraduates and four graduate Impact Labs (Business, Sport, Community, and Local Policy), each pairing student teams with external partner organizations on SDG-focused research and policy work.
Product overview
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is an educational programme at the University of Oxford that operates as a portfolio of five interconnected fellowship and scholarship programmes. The Lab connects Oxford students with industry partners, community organizations, and policymakers to conduct research advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The undergraduate Laidlaw Scholarship Programme provides 18-month leadership development with international placements, while the four graduate Impact Labs (Business, Sport, Community, and Local Policy) each pair students with external partners for sustainability-focused research projects. Together, these programmes form a unified ecosystem fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and external stakeholders to drive real-world SDG impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Laidlaw Scholarship Programme: Undergraduate leadership and research scholarship program in partnership with The Laidlaw Foundation
- Business Impact Lab
- Sport Impact Lab
- Community Impact Lab
- Local Policy Lab
- Rosberg Climate Fellows
Products and services
- Laidlaw Scholarship Programme An 18-month leadership development programme for first-year Oxford undergraduates combining academic study, research projects, leadership training, and international Leadership in Action placements to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- Business Impact Lab A graduate programme pairing Oxford students with industry partners to deliver research projects addressing sustainability challenges and corporate social responsibility objectives.
- Sport Impact Lab A graduate programme leveraging sport as a tool for social change, connecting students with sports organizations to research and advance sustainability and community development goals.
- Community Impact Lab A graduate programme enabling students to partner with community organizations to research and address local sustainability challenges and social inequalities across Oxfordshire.
- Local Policy Lab A graduate programme connecting Oxford students with Oxfordshire County and District Council policymakers to conduct research informing evidence-based local policy decisions.
- Rosberg Climate Fellows An environmental and climate change research fellowship programme established in 2023 in partnership with Rosberg Philanthropies, supporting research including direct air carbon capture and UK climate policy.
Quantifiable outcome
- First cohort of undergraduate Laidlaw Scholars graduated in November 2025 with international Leadership in Action projects spanning Japan, India, Ghana, Nepal, Paris, and the Americas.
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Oxford SDG Impact Lab
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Oxford SDG Impact Lab technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Oxford SDG Impact Lab partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- BMW Group MINI Plant OxfordcoreIndustry partner collaborating with Oxford SDG Impact Lab students on Corporate Social Responsibility research projects. Students work with the CSR team on community engagement initiatives and sustainability strategies.
- Rosberg PhilanthropiesflagshipFounded by 2016 Formula One World Champion Nico Rosberg in 2023, Rosberg Philanthropies selected Oxford SDG Impact Lab as its inaugural partner to establish the Rosberg Climate Fellows programme for environmental and climate change research.
- The Laidlaw FoundationflagshipThe Laidlaw Foundation funds and co-delivers the Oxford Laidlaw Scholars Programme with the SDG Impact Lab, providing leadership development and international placement opportunities for Oxford undergraduates.
- UNDP Independent Evaluation OfficecoreUnited Nations Development Programme office partnering with the lab on evaluation and impact assessment research related to sustainable development.
- Oxfordshire County CouncilcoreLocal Policy Lab partnership connecting graduate students with policymakers to conduct research on issues including early years, fair employment, public health, and social care with the aim to reduce inequalities.
- Oxford Character ProjectcoreDelivers the Ethical Leadership Certificate component of the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, supporting scholars in developing purpose, integrity, and practical wisdom.
- TAP Social MovementcoreOxford-based social enterprise providing inclusive employment for people with prison experience. Partnered with Community Impact Lab for research evaluating Tap Social's impact model.
- Oxfordshire Football Association (OFA)coreFootball for All project partnership examining socio-economic, cultural, and institutional barriers to football participation in Oxfordshire, particularly for women, migrants, and low-income groups.
- Oxfordshire Inclusive Economy Partnership (OIEP)coreCommunity Impact Lab partner for research on community hubs in Oxfordshire, supporting local economic development and social cohesion.
- ClimeworkscoreDirect air carbon capture technology company. Rosberg Climate Fellows conducted stakeholder and policy landscape research on DAC deployment in the UK for Climeworks.
- Formula 1 (F1)minorPartner organization connected through the broader sustainability and motorsport intersection, including involvement in Rosberg Philanthropies activities.
- SilverstoneminorUK racing circuit partnering on sustainability initiatives connected to Formula 1 and climate-focused programs.
- EasyJet HolidaysminorTravel company partner contributing to sustainable tourism and SDG-related research initiatives.
- NesteminorRenewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel provider partner for sustainability research.
- The Ocean CleanupminorNon-profit organization focused on ocean plastic pollution, partnering on environmental research.
- Climate Ed OxfordminorLocal climate education organization in Oxford partnering on climate awareness initiatives.
- Good Food OxfordshireminorFood sustainability initiative in Oxfordshire supporting sustainable food systems research.
- Green Gold Forestry (GGF)minorForestry and environmental conservation partner.
- ZERO Institute - University of OxfordcoreOxford's zero carbon research initiative collaborating on climate and sustainability research.
- UN TourismminorUnited Nations tourism organization partner for sustainable tourism research.
- Oxfordshire Community Land Trust (OCLT)minorCommunity housing organization researching participatory housing futures and regenerative community-led construction.
- Oxford Community Action (OCA)minorCommunity organization researching cost-of-living impacts and diaspora community support.
- Active OxfordshireminorPhysical activity and sport participation organization for community well-being research.
- Oxford HubminorOxford student volunteering and social action hub for community engagement.
- Sport Impact SummitminorSport for development and social impact network.
- Low CarbonminorClean energy and low carbon solutions company for sustainability research.
- Oxford City Football ClubminorLocal football club for sport and community well-being initiatives.
- University of BathminorLaidlaw Scholars visited University of Bath for expert interviews on education and social mobility research.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Oxford SDG Impact Lab competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ashoka U: Ashoka's university network for social innovation, supporting changemaker education across higher education institutions. Comparable model of mobilizing university students and faculty for social impact through structured programs and partnerships.
- Hult Prize: Global student social entrepreneurship competition and accelerator focused on the UN SDGs. Directly comparable mission of mobilizing university students to develop SDG-aligned ventures with corporate partner support.
- MIT Solve: MIT's platform connecting innovators with global challenges through fellowship-style programs and corporate partnerships. Highly comparable model: university-hosted, partner-funded, SDG-themed, student/talent-driven research and innovation.
- Clinton Global Initiative University: CGI University network engages university students on Commitments to Action addressing global challenges. Comparable as a high-profile, university-student-focused initiative driving SDG-related commitments and partner engagement.
- Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation: Cambridge Judge Business School's research and education hub for social innovation. A direct competitor as a UK elite-university centre producing student-led research on social and environmental challenges with external partners.
- Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS): Stanford's research centre on philanthropy, civil society, and social innovation. Comparable as a university-based research hub producing social-impact scholarship and connecting students with external partners on cross-sector challenges.
- Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship: Oxford Saïd Business School's social entrepreneurship research and education centre. Directly comparable as another Oxford-based unit focused on social impact research, student engagement, and external partner collaboration with global changemakers.
Broad incumbents
- World Economic Forum Uplink: WEF's platform for crowdsourcing innovations addressing the SDGs. Broader incumbent operating at global scale; relevant as a larger ecosystem player driving SDG innovation partnerships with corporates and governments.
Emerging players
- Youth Climate Lab: International youth-led organization connecting students with climate-focused career and research opportunities. Comparable in mission around youth-led SDG engagement, though smaller in scale and more focused on climate than the full SDG agenda.
- Acumen Academy: Acumen's social impact learning platform offering courses and fellowships for social entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs. Comparable as an education-focused social-impact initiative, though commercial rather than university-affiliated.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Oxford SDG Impact Lab social profiles
Digital presenceOxford SDG Impact Lab compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Oxford SDG Impact Lab financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Oxford SDG Impact Lab leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Oxford SDG Impact Lab funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Oxford SDG Impact Lab M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Oxford SDG Impact Lab
What does Oxford SDG Impact Lab do?
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is an initiative of the University of Oxford that connects Oxford undergraduate and graduate students with industry, government, and community partners to deliver research projects advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It operates a portfolio of five programs: the Laidlaw Scholarship Programme for undergraduates and four graduate Impact Labs (Business, Sport, Community, and Local Policy), each pairing student teams with external partner organizations on SDG-focused research and policy work.
Is Oxford SDG Impact Lab a public or private company?
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Oxford SDG Impact Lab founded?
Oxford SDG Impact Lab was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Oxford SDG Impact Lab based?
Oxford SDG Impact Lab is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Oxford SDG Impact Lab make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. University of Oxford Core Funding is the primary driver. The others are partnership Contributions.
Who are Oxford SDG Impact Lab's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ashoka U, Hult Prize, MIT Solve, Clinton Global Initiative University, Cambridge Centre for Social Innovation, Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society (PACS) and Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship. World Economic Forum Uplink is listed as a broad incumbent. Emerging players are Youth Climate Lab and Acumen Academy.
Does Oxford SDG Impact Lab have an API?
No public API is recorded for Oxford SDG Impact Lab.
What industry is Oxford SDG Impact Lab in?
Oxford SDG Impact Lab's product category is Sustainability Research and Education Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIAIAF, Research & Lab-Based Short-Term Programs (Undergraduate/Graduate). Its NAICS code is 611710.