Oxford SDG Impact Lab

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.

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

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

• Sustainability research programs
• Academic partnership services
• SDG fellowship programs
• Student leadership development
• Impact research consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. University of Oxford Core Funding: As an initiative of the University of Oxford, the lab receives institutional funding and support from the university infrastructure.
2. 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

Core 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

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• BMW Group MINI Plant OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry 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 PhilanthropiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounded 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 FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe 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 OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations Development Programme office partnering with the lab on evaluation and impact assessment research related to sustainable development.
• Oxfordshire County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal 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 ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelivers the Ethical Leadership Certificate component of the Laidlaw Scholars Programme, supporting scholars in developing purpose, integrity, and practical wisdom.
• TAP Social MovementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford-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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFootball 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)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Impact Lab partner for research on community hubs in Oxfordshire, supporting local economic development and social cohesion.
• ClimeworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDirect 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)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization connected through the broader sustainability and motorsport intersection, including involvement in Rosberg Philanthropies activities.
• SilverstoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK racing circuit partnering on sustainability initiatives connected to Formula 1 and climate-focused programs.
• EasyJet HolidaysminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTravel company partner contributing to sustainable tourism and SDG-related research initiatives.
• NesteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel provider partner for sustainability research.
• The Ocean CleanupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit organization focused on ocean plastic pollution, partnering on environmental research.
• Climate Ed OxfordminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal climate education organization in Oxford partnering on climate awareness initiatives.
• Good Food OxfordshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood sustainability initiative in Oxfordshire supporting sustainable food systems research.
• Green Gold Forestry (GGF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerForestry and environmental conservation partner.
• ZERO Institute - University of OxfordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford's zero carbon research initiative collaborating on climate and sustainability research.
• UN TourismminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Nations tourism organization partner for sustainable tourism research.
• Oxfordshire Community Land Trust (OCLT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity housing organization researching participatory housing futures and regenerative community-led construction.
• Oxford Community Action (OCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization researching cost-of-living impacts and diaspora community support.
• Active OxfordshireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhysical activity and sport participation organization for community well-being research.
• Oxford HubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOxford student volunteering and social action hub for community engagement.
• Sport Impact SummitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSport for development and social impact network.
• Low CarbonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClean energy and low carbon solutions company for sustainability research.
• Oxford City Football ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal football club for sport and community well-being initiatives.
• University of BathminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaidlaw Scholars visited University of Bath for expert interviews on education and social mobility research.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct 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

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@TheOxfordSDGImpactLab
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-oxford-sdg-impact-lab

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Oxford SDG Impact Lab