Photograph courtesy of  Elizabeth Morrow .

KCL: Universities and Local Business come together at King’s Women Entrepreneurs Retreat
Nearly 100 women founders from King’s College London, other universities and London’s local business community came together for the Entrepreneurship Institute’s annual Women Entrepreneurs Retreat. Over three days, attendees explored all aspects of building a venture, including legal and IP, branding and communications, AI tools for growth, funding and sustainable impact: whilst networking with other female founders at different stages of venture development. Read more.

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Leeds Beckett and ARC creating ‘digital golden thread’ for building safety
Digital construction experts at Leeds Beckett University are teaming up with ARC Building Solutions to create an innovative new ‘digital golden thread’ to proactively address key recommendations for the construction sector – following the Grenfell tragedy – to ensure that fire prevention products are correctly installed on building sites. This is a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), part-funded by UKRI through Innovate UK. LBU experts will support ARC in creating the bespoke quality and installation monitoring product – using AI predictive models and data monitoring, ensuring the highest quality of building product installation and automate the identification of incorrect or faulty installations. Read more.

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MMU – SPACE Student-led start-up Café
Manchester Metropolitan University has launched SPACE a student-led start-up café, developed by Kate Egan & Paul Tucker, to provide practical entrepreneurial experience in a real-world setting. Run through monthly meetings, the café acts as both a live business and a learning hub, helping students develop essential skills in leadership, customer service, and financial management. With support from academic mentors and local business networks, the initiative fosters innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. Future plans include hosting events and engaging the wider university community, reflecting Manchester Met’s commitment to enterprise, creativity, and equipping students for successful entrepreneurial careers.

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Liverpool John Moores University wins Business School of the Year at Educate North Awards 2025

The event held in Manchester, is known as the North’s most prestigious Education awards highlighting world class achievements across the Higher Education (HE) and Further Education (FE sectors.  Judges recognised Liverpool Business School for exemplifying transformative partnerships and innovative initiatives that bridge academic excellence with real-world impact. With a strong focus on inclusivity, leadership, and policy influence, the judges praised LBS for demonstrating exceptional regional, national, and global reach, setting new benchmarks and making a meaningful difference in education and business.

 

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ARU launches a range of new initiatives to support startups and freelancers in North Essex, in collaboration with the North Essex Economic Board
The Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy (AREA) will allocate “microgrants” of £250 to selected student startups and help them with mentoring and targeted support. A longer-term vision is for AREA to develop a Business Support Hub – a database of freelance services provided by ARU students and graduates – offering affordable business solutions such as accounting, web development, graphic design and social media marketing, to North Essex SMEs while also helping freelancers to launch and grow their careers. Additionally, funding of £5,000 will support a “Coworking Wednesdays” programme, hosted at the Arise Innovation Hub at ARU’s Chelmsford campus.