Online Masterclass on Climate Tech & Spinouts

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To directly address the skills and knowledge gap faced by many innovators, OCTD developed a premier online masterclass programme. This course is specifically designed to support climate tech founders and university spinouts, providing them with practical, actionable guidance from a faculty of top-tier experts from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge.   

 

The programme’s value and impact have been swiftly validated. The first cohort in May 2025, comprising 20 startups, was highly successful, leading to the entire programme being purchased by the Technology Development Foundation of Turkey (TTGV) for a second cohort in October 2025. OCTD is also in active discussions with several other accelerator programmes to integrate the masterclass into their curricula.  

 

Crucially, the value of this initiative extends far beyond the curriculum. The instructors who lead the masterclass also serve as OCTD's long-term advisors. This creates a continuum of support, allowing us to help startups navigate the complex challenges of internationalisation, regulatory compliance, and non-traditional scaling pathways, particularly in regions where market entry is difficult or conventional venture capital is misaligned with their needs. 

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An example masterclass design:

 

🔹 Dr. Emre Eren Korkmaz (University of Oxford) – Challenges of climate tech startups in accessing new markets

🔹Dr. Erinch Sahan (University of Cambridge) – Working with/Accessing Purpose-led Corporations and Cooperatives

🔹 Dr. Tuba Bircan (University of Cambridge) – Data scarcity for fue diligence and impact measurement in emerging markets

🔹 Dr. Mark Mann (Former Director of Oxford University Innovation) – University spinouts & commercialisation pathways, UK focus

🔹 Dr. Abrar Chaudhury (University of Oxford) – Climate tech challenges in emerging markets

🔹 Panel of Entrepreneurs – Real-world insights on accessing the UK and global markets