Start fresh with new skills. Get 10% off course fees with the code FRESH2026 until April 21, 2026 and set yourself up for exponential growth this year.

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Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme

Design and implement future-focused innovation strategies that can be applied to any industry

View course prospectus
Duration

6 weeks entirely online,
excluding orientation

Effort

Self-paced weekly modules,
7-10 hours per week

Learning Format

Learn alongside a global cohort
of like-minded professionals

Get 10% off until April 21, 2026.

Start fresh with new skills.

It’s time for a new season of personal growth. Take 10% off this online course with the code FRESH2026.

*Offer applies to any start date for participating courses where registration is currently open as long as you register and pay by April 21, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (U.S.). To redeem the offer for executive education courses, register on getsmarter.com, using code FRESH2026 at checkout. The discount cannot be combined with any other offers for executive education courses.

On completion of this programme, you'll walk away with:

  1. The ability to develop, implement, and lead innovation strategies in your organisation or personal context.

  2. Skills to recognise key drivers of innovation, and leverage organisational systems, structures, and culture to foster an environment where innovation thrives.

  3. Practical frameworks, and a future-focused innovation mindset to help prepare your organisation to handle new and unforeseen challenges.

  4. Access to expert insights from Oxford Saïd faculty and thought-leaders in the field of innovation, including case examples from industry giants such as Netflix, Blockbuster, Uber, Amazon, and Facebook.

Accreditation Logo

This Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme is certified by the United Kingdom CPD Certification Service, and may be applicable to individuals who are members of, or are associated with, UK-based professional bodies. The programme has an estimated 60 hours of learning.

Note: should you wish to claim CPD activity, the onus is on you. Oxford Saïd and GetSmarter accept no responsibility, and cannot be held responsible, for the claiming or validation of hours or points.

    Programme curriculum

    Over the duration of this online programme, you'll work your way through the following modules:

    Module 1
    A primer on innovation

    Challenge popular cultural notions of innovation to understand the language and types of innovation, and the principles of building innovation systems.

    Module 2
    Organising for innovation

    Explore organisational design and the structural and cultural elements of a business that allow it to innovate.

    Module 3
    Drivers of innovation: Technology and beyond

    Explore models of innovation beyond popular notions of technological change and 'disruption'.

    Module 4
    4IR technology: Ethics and governance

    Reflect on the ethics and governance considerations prompted by emerging technology.

    Module 5
    Corporate innovation strategies and platforms

    Consider the corporate landscape of innovation, how platforms organise market competition and, in turn, shape the nature of innovation.

    Module 6
    Innovation in practice

    Consider your context and the future of innovation in light of what you have learnt in this programme.

    This programme is for you if you are:

    • A professional from any industry looking to foster a mindset for innovation, and learn how to build a work environment that is optimised for developing new ideas
    • A business leader who wants to enable innovation within your organisation
    • A consultant or entrepreneur interested in gaining cutting-edge insights on innovation practices

    Your Programme Director

    Marc Ventresca

    Associate Professor of Strategic Management and Programme Director of the Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    Marc Ventresca is an economic sociologist in the Strategy, Innovation and Marketing Faculty at Saïd Business School and a Governing Body Fellow of Wolfson College.

    Marc's areas of expertise include market and network formation, entrepreneurship, governance, and innovation and technology strategy.

    His research and teaching focus on the formation of markets and networks in business and social settings. Specifically, he researches how markets are built and the actors who build them. He is also an expert in the areas of governance, innovation and technology and how they interact with markets and networks.

    Trained in sociology and political philosophy, Marc takes a novel approach to researching how markets and networks are formed over time. While many finance colleagues treat market formation as an exit strategy for entrepreneurs who want to realise value from their ventures, Marc sees markets as political and cultural institutions. He uses strategy, sociology, economic theory and organisational theory to understand markets' existence and underpinnings.

    Guest experts

    You'll also hear from a diverse group of world-leading industry experts and thought-leaders from around the globe.

    Alex Notay

    Fund Director, PfP Capital

    Catalina Cernica

    Head of Innovation UK, LEO Innovation Lab

    Christopher Blues

    Programme Manager for Social Ventures, Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    Henry Majed

    Partnership Director, Innovation Gateway

    Igor Moreno

    Independent Strategy Consultant

    Jennie Winhall

    Partner, ALT/Now and Director of Social Innovation, Rockwool Foundation

    Joyeeta Das

    CEO, GYANA

    Maria Zubeldia

    Head of The Entrepreneurship Centre & Innovation Coach, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    Mark Bramwell

    CIO, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    Mark Mann

    Social Enterprise and Innovation Lead for Humanities and Social Sciences, Oxford University Innovation

    Michele Scataglini

    Co-Founder, Insta Associates

    Mina Bekheet

    CEO and Founder, Panacea Innovation

    Mustafa Abbas

    Managing Director, Investment Bank

    Paul Ellingstad

    Partner, PTI Advisors

    Philip Guest

    Founder, Oxford Strategy

    Pinar Ozcan

    Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

    Sandra Steving Villegas

    Head of Innovation, Founders Intelligence

    Sean Peters

    CEO, DryGro

    “I'm a believer in Oxford online courses, and this Innovation Programme is the best yet! The course is tremendously relevant to my current work, and I've already used the definitions and frameworks to help me advance innovation in global pharma. [...] As with all my Oxford courses, I've connected with people from around the globe. Overall, a wonderful experience [and I] can't wait to put the learnings into practice. [...]“– Neil Jacobson, Product and Solutions Lead, Patient Solutions at Pfizer

    An online education that sets you apart

    This Oxford Strategic Innovation Programme is delivered in collaboration with online education provider GetSmarter. Join a growing community of global professionals, and benefit from the opportunity to:
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    Experience a flexible but structured approach to online education as you plan your learning around your life to meet weekly milestones.

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    Enjoy a personalised, people-mediated online learning experience created to make you feel supported at every step.

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    Earn a certificate of attendance recognising your online programme from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.