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.
******
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.”
******
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.
******
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.
******
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!
******
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.
******
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