Salford: Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025

During Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, Salford Business School delivered an ambitious and inclusive enterprise programme that engaged 368 students across seven activities and connected them with more than 60 businesses. Sessions explored technology innovation, sustainability, purposeful business, leadership and investment readiness, giving students meaningful insight into contemporary entrepreneurial practice. The highlight of the week was our civic partnership with Salford City Council, where a co creative hackathon enabled students to address real local enterprise challenges and propose solutions to inequalities in participation across Salford. GEW 2025 reflects our commitment to accessible enterprise learning, civic collaboration and impactful student opportunities.

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Teesside: Leveraging Generative AI to Enhance Students’ Entrepreneurial Mindset through the EntreComp Framework and Dooyeweerd’s 15 Aspects of Everyday Life
Dr Gbemisola Ogbolu (PI) & Dr Sina Joneidy (Co-I) 

This EEUK-funded project embedded Generative AI into enterprise education using a dual-framework model combining EntreComp’s 15 competencies with Dooyeweerd’s 15 everyday aspects. Delivered across three modules to 132 students, the approach improved engagement, creativity, and reflective thinking. Insights from students, staff, and business leaders emphasised the need for ethical guidance and support. Outputs include a practical, open-access toolkit featuring AI prompts, reflection templates, and visual framework mappings. This toolkit offers educators a tested model to foster ethically grounded, future-ready mindsets in enterprise education.

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Gifts from UCL entrepreneurs for everyone on your list
UCL has a thriving entrepreneurial community of startups creating unique products and services. In this year’s UCL festive gift guide, find presents you’re unlikely to find in the shops and support a UCL-created business at the same time. All the businesses featured have received support from The Hatchery incubator programme at BaseKX, UCL’s dedicated entrepreneurship hub in King’s Cross.

Browse the UCL Festive Gift Guide

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ARU Supports Emerging International Entrepreneurs

Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy is launching the Global Entrepreneur Accelerator Programme (GEAP), running February–May 2026 and designed for international students and recent graduates ready to turn bold ideas into real UK ventures. GEAP offers hands-on workshops, inspiring mentoring, and personalised guidance to help participants sharpen their business concepts, validate markets, and build investment-ready plans. With only 25 places available, this is a unique opportunity to join a dynamic community of innovators, strengthen entrepreneurial skills, and take confident steps toward launching a business in the UK. Read more here.

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Arden Enterprise Incubator drives career-focused venture impact

Arden University’s Enterprise Incubator (AEI) has delivered its first full cycle, engaging more than 800 students and strengthening Arden’s career-driven approach to learning. Through a 7-week Enterprise Bootcamp, weekly founder talks and over 80 one-to-one coaching sessions, AEI is helping students turn ideas into viable ventures while building practical skills valued by employers. Early ventures successes include angel investment for food discovery app Healthblokk and pilot and market-testing for AI-powered ventures ChironLearn and SimCore. AEI will launch the Arden Venture Challenge in 2026, showcasing student innovation at Arden’s new Stratford campus in April.

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University of Exeter Startups Gift List

The University of Exeter Student Startups team have released their annual Student Startups Christmas gift list, featuring an inspiring selection of products created by student and graduate-led businesses. Find the perfect gift while supporting Exeter’s entrepreneurial talent. From games to skincare to food & drink, there’s something for everyone! Read more.

Derby: Student Residency Awards.

The University of Derby are pleased to announce the winners of their student residency award.  This is a fantastic opportunity for students and graduates to develop new work and business skills in a creative and collaborative environment.Five winners spanning a variety of different disciplines have been selected and will have access to rent free studio space at Banks Mill Studios for 12 months, along with access to professional advice and the opportunity to showcase their work at the annual Open Studios in November and a joint exhibition in July 2026. Read more about the winners here.

Open Studios https://www.banksmill.co.uk/openstudios/

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Cardiff: Enactus World Cup

A team of Cardiff University students and alumni has become the first team in Wales to represent Enactus UK and Ireland at the Enactus World Cup.

Drawn from the Schools of Engineering and Physics and Astronomy, the team brought home $1,000 in prize money after making it to the last 16 of the Enactus World Cup 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand. Hajira Irfan, Harry Parkinson and Benjamin Drury, pitched their carbon capture system Spiruflow to Enactus judges and made it to the top 16 in the competition, a great achievement considering they had been an Enactus team for under a year. Read more here.

 

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Salford: UK Festival of Social Science

As part of the UK Festival of Social Science, the University of Salford, Manchester Metropolitan University, and Young Enterprise (UK) recently joined together for an inspiring workshop exploring how entrepreneurial mindsets can support sustainability and positive social change. Bringing together a diverse mix of participants from different sectors, we explored how empowering the next generation with entrepreneurial thinking can catalyst meaningful change, in business, in communities, and in the world around us.  Also, a huge shout-out to Gideon Okorie for capturing the entrepreneurial spirit of the night with these amazing pictures.

 

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UWTSD: Harmonious Heroes: Building Enterprising Contributors in Wales

Developed by Dr Felicity Healey-Benson (Emergent Thinkers, Harmonious Entrepreneurship Society), the Harmonious Heroes initiative models whole-school entrepreneurial immersion across primary and secondary education. Drawing on the EntreComp framework integrated with Curriculum for Wales, learners co-created sustainable responses to local challenges while weaving new relationships with businesses, civic partners, and community actors. Their work was celebrated in a two-day public showcase, captured in a short video reel that features 53 partnerships brokered through the process. The initiative demonstrates how relational, value-creating education can regenerate communities as living ethical entrepreneurial ecosystems. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9dxYLq1YvY

#GEW2025 #HarmoniousHeroes #EnterprisingContributors #EntEdCymru

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Enterprise for Everyone: The Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy, in collaboration with Newcastle University, launch their first week of enterprise events.

In October, The Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy welcomed 155 students from North-East schools on to campus for a bespoke Enterprise Day. These aimed to increase entrepreneurial awareness and equip students with tools to succeed in enterprise and in life. The most popular activity was an egg-drop challenge which encouraged students to think creatively about their solution. Following the events, 75% of attendees agreed that the activities helped to improve their employability skills, demonstrating the impact of hands-on learning. The academy now looks forward to their December Enterprise Week, when over 200 students will join them to discover their potential!

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Aberystwyth University: Entrepreneurial News

Aberystwyth University has had an exciting start to its new era of enterprise, focussing on sustainable and ethical innovations. This was kick-started by its annual ideas competition, which this year awarded £4,000 each to five businesses focussing on promoting literature in the digital age, holistic healthcare, AI-powered vocal technology, agricultural production, and local services. This was followed by the first two events in its Innovating Our Futures talk series, where academics, entrepreneurs, students and key figures come together to discuss entrepreneurial interventions in response to the Well-being of Future Generations Act.

Last week, The Entrepreneurs Network published Ambition Unlimited, a new policy report exploring how young founders view the UK’s startup ecosystem. Based on insights from nearly 200 young entrepreneurs, the report uncovers what’s working, where challenges lie, and how we can better support the next generation of founders.
Read the full report here: https://www.tenentrepreneurs.org/ambition-unlimited

Among its recommendations are:

• Improving access to investment by modernising EIS and SEIS for today’s realities.
• Keeping the UK open to international talent, including recognising equity in visa salary thresholds.
• Ensuring public support programmes add real value for early-stage founders.
• Maintaining competitive tax rates to encourage scaling and reinvestment.

As Sean Kohli, Chair of the Young Entrepreneurs Forum, notes:

“If we want high-growth startups, we need to compete properly… The UK has extraordinary potential, but potential is not enough if it is not matched with action.”

The report reminds us that while young entrepreneurs see the UK as a strong place to build, other nations are accelerating fast, making it vital to remove barriers and create conditions where ambition can thrive.

Swansea University Student Enterprise Team achieve 3rd globally at Triple E Awards 2025
Swansea University’s Student Enterprise Team has been celebrated on the global stage at the Triple E Awards 2025 in Prague, achieving 3rd place worldwide (the highest ranked European institution) in the “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Activators of the Year” category. The award honours teams driving entrepreneurship and innovation in higher education, recognising Swansea’s success in fostering entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking across its community. Student Enterprise Manager, Kelly Jordan, proudly represented the team. This achievement highlights the team’s inclusive and impactful approach, which continues to empower students and graduates to turn ideas into ventures that create meaningful change.”

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UCL: Ten years of nurturing entrepreneurs at BaseKX

UCL’s entrepreneurship hub in King’s Cross has supported thousands of staff, students and graduates since it opened its doors in 2015.
Over 600 of them have gone on to launch their own startups.  “Without the support we’ve had from UCL, we’d very likely still be a small business run from our kitchen table in our spare time.”

These are the words of Jacob Wedderburn-Day (MSc Economics 2016) who co-founded his own startup Stasher in 2015, with support from the Hatchery incubator programme, which is located at BaseKX, and run by UCL Innovation & Enterprise.

Here we look back at some of the many success stories

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Southampton: Student Founder Showcase

On Wednesday 15^th October, the University of Southampton Student Enterprise team hosted their annual Student Founder Showcase – a celebration of student creativity, ambition, and innovation. It was a truly inspiring night celebrating innovation, collaboration, and the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives at Southampton.

 

 

 

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Liverpool: Publication of new textbook

We are delighted to announce the publication of our textbook: ‘Social Entrepreneurship in Practice: learn how to create and manage a successful social enterprise’ –  a culmination of insights and contributions from leading voices in the social entrepreneurship field. Drawing on experiential learning and enquiry-based pedagogies, the textbook integrates real-world case studies, reflective exercises, and applied learning activities that are of value to both students and entrepreneurship and enterprise educators.

Join us online for our launch on Monday 3^rd November 13:30 – 14.30 (GMT) to learn from experts in the field and get inspired to make a positive impact through your work.

Register here.

 

 

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Salford Business School Ignites Enterprise Across Greater Manchester

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025, Salford Business School will host a vibrant programme of events connecting students, entrepreneurs, policymakers and schools across Greater Manchester. Activities include a Civic Co-Creative Hackathon with Salford City Council, the Technology and Sustainability Expo, and Enterprise That Matters, celebrating social entrepreneurship. Through GM IoT, the School is also engaging schools and colleges in “Tech for Good” activities linking digital innovation to community impact. Together, these initiatives showcase how Salford is leading inclusive, purpose-driven enterprise for students and the wider region.

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Derby: Game Changer Labs Open for Business

Game Changer Labs has officially opened in Derby’s iconic Cavendish Building, quickly becoming a hub for the city’s startup community. The first event, Butties & Business, marked the launch of Derby’s new open startup network and is part of the University of Derby’s wider Enterprise & Entrepreneurship initiative. The Labs have also inspired the launch of the Game Changer Awards — a new enterprise competition featuring live pitches, demos, and purposeful networking opportunities. Learn more or get involved by contacting enterprise@derby.ac.uk

 

 

UCL’s ambitious entrepreneurs pitch for investment at London Demo Day

The most promising entrepreneurs from across London’s top universities pitched their startups to investors at London Demo Day 2025, hosted by UCL. The annual event, which took place at the UCL Institute of Education, brought together investors and the most promising startups from UCL, the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE), King’s College London, Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London.

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Salford: Advanced Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference

Gabi Round and Dr Jonathan Owens from Salford University with colleagues from Hertfordshire, Liverpool and MMU gave an interactive workshop at the recent Advanced Higher Education Teaching and Learning Conference exploring how Experiential Learning nurtures entrepreneurial mindsets, sustainability, and social impact. We identified best practices from the Young Enterprise (UK) Start-Up Programme from our HEI’s and how Experiential Learning can foster inclusivity and equal opportunities.  Our current in progress project combines teaching case studies from around the world into a book, where it will focus on key learning and best practices on entrepreneurship, enterprise, and entrepreneurial learning from Higher Education and how it can support and foster inclusivity and equal opportunities for all students.”

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Innovator International

Innovator International would like to thank everyone who took the time to talk to us at IEEUK 2025. We now have 20 founding members of our HEI Strategic Support Network.

This is a free service which gives HEIs the following benefits:

• Stay up to date with the latest visa and policy developments
• Understand how best to support and guide your students
• Support international entrepreneurs to take their next step
• Strengthen your student offer and influence future government policy
• Maintain direct connection to a Home Office-approved Endorsing Body

If you’d like to join us, email keith@innovatorinternational.com for more details.

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Newcastle: Collaborative programme

Newcastle University are piloting a collaborative programme between the Careers Service and the School of Mathematics, working closely with the School’s Academic Lead for Employability and Enterprise. The initiative embeds employability skills within the curriculum while explicitly incorporating enterprise education as a key strand. Through a suite of interactive sessions, students develop project management, teamwork, presentation, and problem-solving skills, framed around real-world, challenge-based learning. This partnership supports the School’s ambitions to enhance graduate outcomes while aligning with the Careers Service’s strategic goals, ensuring that enterprise is not an add-on but a central component of students’ academic and professional development.

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Lancaster: From Canvas to Cultivation: New Beginnings for Simon and Charlotte

 After more than a decade shaping EntEd at Lancaster University and the sector, Simon Harrison is beginning a new chapter with his family in France. A generous contributor to our community, bringing creativity playfulness and PechaKucha poetry, Simon championed the Business Model Canvas at EEUK and secured funding for projects like Black Swan, the IP board game. At Lancaster, he created ‘Work in Progress,’ a home for entrepreneurial learning. Blending business, community, and authentic learning by doing, Simon & Charlotte (Stuart) are cultivating a sustainable flower farm! Blog to follow!

 

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Tata Varsity Pitch has launched for 2025!

Tata Varsity Pitch is a national early-stage business pitching competition that celebrates the best student and graduate business across the UK. Varsity Pitch has run for over fifteen years and applications are now open for 2025.

All UK students and recent graduates are eligible. There’s £25,000 of equity-free prizes across five categories. Finalists will be offered mentoring through Tata Group companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Taj Hotels and Tetley tea!

Find out more at www.varsitypitch.org.

Universities can request customised promotion packs. Varsity Pitch is managed by Centre for Entrepreneurs with support from WIRED.

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Envestors demonstrate impact of international entrepreneurs in Annual Innovator Founder Visa Report.

Envestors, a Home Office appointed endorsing body for the Innovator Founder Visa, has released a report analysing the first two years of the Innovator Founder route, which replaced the legacy Start-up and Innovator routes in 2023. The research demonstrates the impact international talent can achieve in contributing to the UK economy.

Some of the key findings from over 1500 applications include:

 

• 90% of applicants educated to Bachelor’s or Master’s degree level.
• 52% applying from within the UK (with many graduating from UK research institutions).
• 30 of applicants are female.
• 90% of endorsed businesses are registered in London

Access the full report here.

EEUK is proud to announce that Nottingham Business School, part of Nottingham Trent University, has been selected as the host institution for the prestigious 20th anniversary International Entrepreneurship Educators Conference (IEEC2026), taking place in September 2026.

IEEC2026 will bring together leading global educators, practitioners, and policymakers to advance the future of enterprise and entrepreneurship education worldwide. This milestone event further strengthens Nottingham Business School’s position as a centre of excellence in entrepreneurship, enterprise, and innovation.

The conference will explore how entrepreneurial activity can be embedded across and beyond higher and further education, promote cross-disciplinary approaches, and showcase innovative teaching and practice. Delegates will engage in shaping policy discussions that drive sustainable global enterprise, while also benefiting from exceptional opportunities for collaboration, networking, and open debate with international peers.

Errol Hemans, Conference Chair and Senior Lecturer in Management and Entrepreneurship at Nottingham Business School, said:  “We are honoured to host IEEC2026 at such a significant milestone in its history. Nottingham’s reputation as a vibrant hub of entrepreneurship and innovation provides the perfect platform for global collaboration. We look forward to inspiring bold ideas that will shape the future of education, enterprise, and society”.

Nottingham offers a fitting backdrop for this landmark anniversary. The city is widely recognised as a hub for innovation and enterprise, excelling in sectors including life sciences, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, engineering, and fast-growing digital and creative industries. Its dynamic ecosystem of university-industry partnerships continues to deliver impact regionally, nationally, and globally.

Steve Aicheler, EEUK Operations and Business Development Manager, commented “We’re really excited to bring IEEC to Nottingham, it’s fitting that our 20^th conference is in a city which is at the heart of the UK both physically and metaphorically. Being able to connect with our community in such a dynamic and diverse location will really enhance their experience.”

Enterprise Educators UK  is delighted to announce a new partnership with Developing Business-Aware Academics (DBAA) project.

The partnership will focus on developing understanding, exchanging best practice and raising awareness with DBAA members about how best to support doctoral and early-career researchers to build confidence in engaging with organisations beyond academia.

EEUK enables excellence in enterprise and entrepreneurship education, connecting and supporting enterprise and entrepreneurship educators across the world to share good practice and influence policy.

DBAA brings together academics, industry, non-profits and policy makers to encourage mobility of people and ideas, boost the economy, and enable a healthier, more sustainable and socially-just future for all.

Working in partnership with DBAA enables us to engage with their membership, events and networks to share best practice and trial training and networking activities for researchers via collaborative projects.

University of Derby’s Game Changer Wins Big at Ingenuity Impact

Mackenzie Sergeant, winner of UoD’s Pitch Perfect, has triumphed at the University of Nottingham’s Ingenuity Impact competition, winning four awards including People’s Choice and Top Idea. Her venture, Ocean Guard, develops innovative probiotic bioballs that support marine ecosystem restoration using custom bacterial strains. Backed by UoD enterprise support and academic Dr. Michael Sweet, Mackenzie’s success showcases the potential of our new Game Changers brand to empower student-led innovation and impact. This achievement brings the Game Changers mission to life — a timely and inspiring example of enterprise in action.

 

 

University of Exeter celebrates Student Entrepreneurship Awards

The University of Exeter recently celebrated the entrepreneurial achievements of students by bringing together students, colleagues, alumni and members of the local business community at the Student Entrepreneurship Awards. At the heart of the celebration was the Student Startups programme, which is open to all students with an interest in developing business ideas. This academic year the programme received 269 applications to its core incubation pathways, which offer tailored support to students at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Six student founders from the Student Startups programme were recognised with Startup Awards across a range of categories.

Student entrepreneurs celebrated at annual awards – News

 

King’s celebrates advances in innovation at the Spinout Accelerator Showcase

The King’s community celebrated the conclusion of the inaugural cohort of the King’s Spinout Accelerator, a 12-month programme that transforms early-stage prospective spinouts into robust commercial propositions. Over the last 12 months, six out of 10 ventures have secured investment or grants, seven are likely to spinout and raise investment within 18 months and all 10 have developed their entrepreneurial competencies. The eight spinouts who presented are advancing innovations in cancer care, diagnostics, therapeutics, robotics and pregnancy care. Read more. 

 

 

 

Manchester Met in Talks with IOEE on Potential Accreditation for New Enterprise Mentoring Scheme

Manchester Metropolitan University is in talks with the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IOEE) to accredit its new mentoring programme, Enterprise Mentor Me. The initiative connects entrepreneurial students and graduates with experienced business mentors. Paul Tucker, Director of Manchester Met’s IOEE Centre of Excellence, says, “Exploring IOEE’s mentoring offering is a natural next step in our partnership.” The programme aims to boost confidence, skills, and real-world experience. Enterprise Projects Coordinator Ellie Stevens adds, “Enterprise Mentor Me is about building a supportive, high-quality environment where entrepreneurial ideas can thrive.” The programme is open to mentors from all industries, with full support provided.

UWTSD – Harmonious Entrepreneurship

Dr Felicity Healey-Benson and Prof David A Kirby have recently undertaken two pieces of research relating to entrepreneurship and sustainability. They are entitled: –

• Sustainability and the profit maximisation dilemma; is there scope for a spirituality dimension?
• Entrepreneurial innovation and the Global Sustainability Challenge: the need for product, process and business model innovation.

They are planning on having them published but until then if you would like to know more either contact us or visit our website https://harmonious-entrepreneurship.org/. The findings have significant implications for entrepreneurship education.

 

NTU: International Venture Builder Project to Train Researchers in Entrepreneurship

A £400K project, with £160K funded by the British Council was led by the Centre for Business and Industry Transformation (CBIT) at Nottingham Business School aims to bridge the gap between academic research and industry by training technology transfer professionals and STEAM researchers in entrepreneurship, with a focus on AI to empower businesses. Using a “train the trainer” model, participants can share skills with peers and students, multiplying impact. The programme blends training, mentoring, and networking to help researchers turn ideas into real-world ventures.

Read more here: International Venture Builder Project

NTU Enterprise launched Idea Hatchery

NTU Enterprise launched Idea Hatchery, its first co-founder programme, supporting 15 students to collaboratively develop business ideas. Open to students from all disciplines and funded by Santander X, participants pitched for a share of £7,500 in pre-seed funding. The programme offered hands-on experience in forming teams, testing ideas, and pitching to live audiences. “We brought FinStra – Your Virtual CFO to life,” said Niyati. “It’s been a journey of collaboration, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving,” added teammate Anvay. Amrosh shared: “This journey was shaped by powerful conversations, challenges, and people who believed in possibility.” For more information contact will.chew@ntu.ac.uk

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University of St Andrews launches Alumni Founders Community

 The University of St Andrews Entrepreneurship Centre launched its Alumni Founders Community – a new network created for entrepreneurial alumni to connect, collaborate and shape the future of alumni enterprise. The launch included a well-attended dinner on 26^th June and an Open Meeting on 27^th June. Both events brought together past, current and aspiring alumni entrepreneurs to network, share ideas and build lasting connections.

This initiative aims to foster a supportive, engaged community, strengthen ties with the University and spark innovation across the global St Andrews entrepreneurial ecosystem. We’re excited to build on this momentum and look forward to future community events.

 

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MMU: Sustainable Innovation Challenge 2025 – Portrush & Belfast

100 students from Manchester Metropolitan University, University of Liverpool, Ulster University, and The Berlin School of Economics and Law joined forces to tackle a sustainability challenge for The Open at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Guided by university staff, employers and local experts, students explored how the championship can leave a lasting legacy in Portrush. The event fostered teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving, highlighting the power of entrepreneurship and enterprise in driving real-world impact. A mammoth effort from all involved and a clear reminder that innovation flourishes when people collaborate to address meaningful challenges.

 

 

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From Ideas to Impact: ARU Students Drive a Start-Up Surge

We are proud to announce that, according to the latest HE-BCI report, ARU is one of the top institutions for student start-ups in the UK, with 123 ventures formed by ARU graduates during the latest reporting period (2023/2024). ARU is now placed seventh in the country and top across all universities in the East of England. The Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy (AREA) contributes to this success through a diverse range of support programmes, activities, opportunities, and events for entrepreneurial students and recent graduates.

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The Weave: The Essex MBA Capstone Week 2025

 The Essex MBA Capstone Week 2025 brought together an ambitious cohort of emerging leaders to tackle real-world M&A challenges. Designed and facilitated by The Weave, the week blended strategic thinking, teamwork, and pitch refinement in a dynamic, high-impact format. Students stepped into C-suite roles, working intensively on live business scenarios and presenting their final pitches to an expert panel. The Weave’s unique facilitation approach embedded reflective learning, creative tools, and innovation frameworks throughout. This was a transformative experience—deepening commercial awareness, leadership skills, and confidence—celebrated in this photo outside Essex Business School at the close of an inspiring week.