TrialeX Co-founders on collaborating with Oxford students on the Oxford Strategy Challenge

About TrialeX

TrialeX is a clinical trial recruitment, retention, and management company focused on making clinical trials more efficient through innovative digital platforms, while keeping the public at the heart of research. We co-founded TrialeX whilst balancing our postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, so we have always been on the lookout for fresh perspectives and creative solutions to help us overcome the various challenges of running a healthcare business on a tight budget and schedule. That’s where the Oxford Strategy Challenge (TOSCA) came in. 

What students contributed to

Engaging with student consultants through TOSCA has been invaluable for our team. The students brought insights and solutions to challenges like marketing strategy, weighing up pros and cons of new business model ideas, competitor analysis, summarising regulatory frameworks, and pulling key insights from our market analysis.

Programme highlights

Through all of the TOSCA projects that we have engaged with, what has truly impressed us is the dedication and effort each student puts into their work and their ability to instantly work well within a team. The written reports the students provide are not just detailed (particularly considering they only get a week to write them!) but also filled with actionable insights. We often refer to them during team meetings and use some key stats or insights when re-working our pitch deck or making decisions for the business.

What makes TOSCA particularly special is the diversity of the students’ backgrounds. From students studying business and law to medics and computer scientists, each group brings a wide range of knowledge and perspectives, making each project more insightful and impactful- you never know what the students are going to come up with, and what insights you are missing.

Advice for those considering the programme

For anyone considering taking part in the Oxford Strategy Challenge, we highly recommend it. It’s not only a fantastic way to gain valuable insights and solutions, but it also offers students a chance to engage with real-world business challenges. The students learn a lot from the experience, and in turn, their input has helped move our business forward. It’s a win-win!

Cheryl Tan, CEO & Co-founder

Jasmine Reese, COO & Co-founder

Serena Vales, CMO & Co-founder

Kim-Shen Pang, CTO & Co-founder