
8 minute read
Dean Peter Tufano and Thank you
Peter Tufano, Peter Moores Dean at Saïd Business School
What a year it’s been...
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"It’s clear from this report that the Oxford Foundry, under Ana Bakshi’s leadership, continued to thrive, serve students and alumni, and catalyse entrepreneurship over the past year. That’s no real surprise. Entrepreneurship has been defined as the “pursuit of opportunity beyond the resources under your control.” The “opportunities” this year to innovate and serve have been bigger than any other year in the recent past. It’s as if Covid-19 landed us all with a “Grand Challenge” competition suddenly, across many different sectors—public health, education, the workplace, and more. At the same time that our opportunities to innovate rose, the “resources under our control” shrank, as we found ourselves without the benefit of our face-to-face support networks, the ability to travel, and more. While artists may thrive when faced with a blank canvas, entrepreneurs (and engineers and business people) often do their best work when posed with concrete problems and deadlines. Perversely, the Foundry and the many entrepreneurs it supports thrived during, and in part because of, Covid-19. When I think of the original idea for the Foundry, that long preceded the opening of our funky facility on Hythe Bridge Street, I hadn’t conceived of a pandemic as the creative spark for entrepreneurs. But it was clear, even then, that entrepreneurs—and especially the amazing student and alumni entrepreneurs from this amazing University—would surprise and amaze, while they went on to solve some of the world’s biggest problems—if given a bit of support, a little space, and some encouragement. Thank you—to the Foundry team, to our advisors and friends, to our colleagues around Oxford, but especially to all of you entrepreneurs—for all you do. And without raising expectations—for all I am sure you will do going forward as we build forward better."
With our special thanks to Dean Peter Tufano. In June 2021 Peter ends his highly successful Deanship after 10 years. Congratulations for all that you have achieved Peter, and on behalf of the Oxford Foundry and our Advisory Board we wish you all the best for the new adventures to come!
"The idea behind the Foundry was something Peter passionately believed in - the need to build equal opportunities through entrepreneurship for all students. Peter’s vision was not limited to a centre that would accelerate ventures and develop skills, but one that would embrace the power of multi-disciplinary collaboration across the entire Oxford ecosystem, bringing together students from the social sciences, humanities, medical sciences and physical and life sciences, at all stages of study, and from all backgrounds.
Launching something new, especially within a 900-year-old institution, requires intense focus and determination. And with all things entrepreneurial, anything new is often viewed as risky, especially when garnering support for its development. Yet, Peter’s idea and his vision for OXFO and can-do attitude garnered much early enthusiasm. He was able to secure critical philanthropic support to build a first-of-its-kind entrepreneurial centre at Oxford, build a strong team and establish an Advisory board of world-leading entrepreneurs. Peter has brought people along with him to be a part of this historic journey; his authenticity and sincerity to want to leverage on entrepreneurship inclusively and with purpose, is something that immediately drew me to OXFO. I knew Peter wanted to build something impactful and transformative with far-reaching consequences. I knew I wanted to be part of it.
Peter has entrusted me with OXFO from day one, always giving me the support to be the leader, and the chief challenger I needed to be effective. He afforded me an incredible opportunity to develop and execute something full of promise and lasting potential. For me personally, Peter has been a source of life-changing counsel and friendship. I hope as we go forward into our 'new normal', we will see far more leaders taking the bold and transformational path of Peter. Thank you for everything, Peter."
Ana Bakshi, Executive Director, Oxford Foundry
"Peter Tufano leads with clarity and "Peter listened to the needs and intelligence that results in truly impactful aspirations of students and alumni and and inspiring outcomes. His legacy at the saw that there was a pivotal gap in Saïd Business School and the Oxford providing hands-on entrepreneurship Foundry are no exception. Drawing on and technology skills experience at his personal experience as a longtime Oxford. In a short space of time, the scholar and innovator, Peter has beautiful Foundry building had been transformed the Oxford entrepreneurial created from reclaimed materials and its ecosystem permanently. That’s quite an Director Ana appointed. In only three accomplishment for a 900-year-old years the Foundry has had a remarkable institution like Oxford University. impact and demand is greater than ever Students and colleagues alike will greatly as we prepare our future workforce for miss his warmth and friendship." what lies ahead. With Peter's foresight, Alexsis de Raadt St James, Managing and experience founding the i-lab at Partner, Merian Ventures Harvard, Oxford's entrepreneurial talent "Peter was the engine and inspiration fruition, and access to the thriving, multibehind OXFO from its very inception. I disciplinary communities they need to remember our early discussions about explore their futures. I became a the market gap and how well placed Saïd founding donor of the Foundry because I business school was to support this in know how much I would have benefited Oxford. The students are lucky that from a center like it when I was at Peter kick-started the Foundry and used Oxford, and we're all better off because impeccable credentials to give it of it. Thank you Peter." credibility from the start and build a Reid Hoffman CBE, Cofounder, world-class team of backers and LinkedIn, management to support his vision." Brent Hoberman CBE, Executive "I still remember when I first heard about Chairman, Founders Factory, your concept of the Oxford Foundry Cofounder, First Minute Capital Peter. It was still only an idea in your "When Peter Tufano came to Oxford he one of the early supporters of your idea. could clearly see that something was That initial idea has now grown into an missing in the student experience: a amazing Foundry team and building but, chance to get involved in entrepreneurial more importantly, it has positively activities. He often likened impacted the lives of Oxford students entrepreneurship to college sports: even and the broader Oxford community in if you don’t end up doing it afterwards, it ways far beyond what we imagined in helps students build character. This is that first conversation. I am proud of our why he spent countless hours planning, support of you and your vision. I hope pitching, and protecting the Oxford you know that no matter what you do Foundry. Throughout its amazing launch, next to add to your already successful Peter constantly reminded us that this career, I will always be a believer, a was for the benefit of all Oxford supporter, and a friend. Thank you so students, and that this would be a way to much for everything." unleash their enormous creative Jeff Wong, Global Chief Innovation potential. He was right! We will always be Officer, EY thankful for his unwavering leadership. " has strong support to bring their ideas to head. I am so honored that you let us be Thomas Hellman, DP World Professor "Entrepreneurship at Oxford will never of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, be the same again thanks to Peter. His Saïd Business School vision to create and develop a space in Oxford to inspire and nurture entrepreneurship has transformed the startup scene in Oxford. And this is just the beginning. Oxford owes him an enormous debt of gratitude for his inspiration and drive to bring OXFO to life and to make it thrive."
Toby Coppel, Cofounder and Partner, Mosaic Ventures
"I distinctly recall discussing with Peter Tufano 'The Launchpad' as it was then called, when it was embedded at Saïd Business School and its limitations. Peter, being the visionary he is, immediately saw the potential of creating something big and innovative which would be a beacon for the entire University ecosystem and hence the Foundry was born! That was his first great decision, and his second great decision was to hire Ana Bakshi as its inaugural Director. When you envision great things, great things do actually happen! My Foundation is proud to be the largest funder of the Foundry and I am privileged to have served as an advisor to the Foundry from its inception. Thank you Peter for seeing the potential and acting upon it."
Mohamed Amersi, Chair, Amersi Foundation
"Building entrepreneurship and technology skills is fundamental to the success of a modern economy and a tremendous opportunity for Oxford. I was so impressed with Peter's original vision of OXFO, but even more excited with the progress that has been in just a few years. It's a world class organization - from the management team and leadership of it's Director Ana, to the facilities, to the supporters and advisors. However, what I'm so encouraged by is the countless positive experiences and enthusiasm from the students and alumni and the early promise of so many ventures and teams. What a huge impact and legacy. It's been a real joy to support and see the Foundry evolve to what it is today. "
Pete Flint, Founder, Trulia, Managing Partner, NFX
"I knew the Dean before Peter so to me he'll always be "the new guy" who came in and left his mark. It is a joy stealing some time to spend with Peter. I think that's how I ended up so involved with the Saïd School and later, the Oxford Foundry. Peter has been amazing at finding the right people, the right talent, and letting them flourish in their roles. OXFO will be a huge part of his legacy. Thank you, Peter and I wish you all the best."
Biz Stone, Cofounder, Twitter
"Peter, your leadership, vision, network, passion and hard work, have etched numerous major successes into the history of this great institution. One of these is the Foundry. The impact of your endeavours are being realised, and will continue to grow the profile of the Saïd Business School and the broader collegiate university. Our many students, faculty and alumni are indebted to you. We wish you many more great successes."