Aston: BSEEN celebrates student entrepreneurs with startup showcase.

Over 300 people gathered at the Custard Factory in Birmingham on 17 February for a celebration of student and graduate entrepreneurs in Birmingham. The BSEEN Showcase 2022 highlighted the work of 40 entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the award-winning 12-month start-up support programme which helps participants to make their ideas a reality through expert training, mentoring, funding and a supportive entrepreneurial community. BSEEN is a collaboration between Aston University, Birmingham City University, University College Birmingham and Newman University. Businesses featured at the exhibition included Chefiesta (a diverse meal prep company) and Hummingbird (platform connecting investors with start-ups in the developing world). Find out more here.

Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth ‘Pitch to the Experts’ Day.

Inspirational, confidence building, valuable, highlight of the year, making connections – these are some of the words used following our first ‘Pitch to the Experts’ day at the University of Portsmouth. We have a strong Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme; 30 entrepreneurial alumni and business owners who support our enterprising endeavours in many ways, however time is precious and therefore limited. This is where the day of pitching, Q&A, and 1:1 round table discussion came in; 8 students pitching to 8 Entrepreneurs dragons den style, seeking advice, connections and maybe some investment.

Glasgow: University of Glasgow StartUp Factory weekend 

The annual University of Glasgow StartUp Factory weekend recently made a return to our annual calendar having paused since 2019. Delivered on campus, the event supported students to develop a new business idea over the course of 48 hours before pitching to a panel of judges for a £1,000 prize. More information can be found about the event and our winners here

 

Gloucestershire: Start and Grow Enterprise

Start and Grow Enterprise is a project funded by the University of Gloucestershire and the European Regional Development Fund. We offer new businesses expert training, interactive workshops, networking events, the chance to apply for a £1,000 reimbursed grant, and the opportunity to benefit from 1-to-1 business coaching. As Start and Grow Enterprise enters its 5th year, the business support team have engaged with over 1,200 new entrepreneurs and given out 11,500 hours of business support, worth over £350,000, and given out another £75,000 in business grants. This support has resulted in an average 10% increase in turnover for early-stage businesses. Read the full blog here.

UWTDS: First Harmonious Entrepreneurship online competition

On 2^nd March, IICED, UWTSD’s Professor of Practice David A. Kirby & Felicity Healey-Benson successfully launched the first Harmonious Entrepreneurship online competition in partnership with the UWTSD and the University of Malaya-Wales. The competition introduces students and staff to Harmonious Entrepreneurship (HE) and encourages the formation of HE ventures that address the sustainability challenge. In addition to well-stocked event webpages, participants are signposted to an online-short course (part-funded by EEUK), 60+ case studies, and skills-focused videos. All entrants will receive feedback and participation certificates. There are cash prizes, venture support, and potential access to Circklo’s sustainability business configurator package. Read more.

KCL: Leader of the Labour Party and Shadow Chancellor visit King’s College London to hear from female entrepreneurs

Ahead of International Women’s Day 2022, Leader of the Labour Party, Sir Keir Starmer MP and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP yesterday (Monday 7 March) visited the Entrepreneurship Institute (EI) at King’s College London to discuss how women can be better supported to thrive as entrepreneurs and the role universities can play in making this happen. Read more.