Members of LUinc. standing and sitting together around a laptop

Applications open for º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ's graduate start-up programme

Applications are open for places on º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ's graduate start-up programme, which supports graduates who want to launch or develop their own businesses.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ graduates from the last five years can apply to join the University's Graduate Start-Up Accelerator - benefits include free workspace, the chance to access up to £7,500 start-up funds, bespoke training and more.

The accelerator programme is hosted within LUinc., the University's business incubator based at LUSEP, the University's Science and Enterprise Park.

LUinc. brings together graduate and academic entrepreneurs with founders from across the region and beyond to create a rich and supportive start-up community. LUinc. is a part of the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Enterprise Network (LEN) -- a community which connects the University's entrepreneurial people and places.

The 12-month support package on offer includes:

  • Access to funding through Start-up Fund (grants up to £5,000 for graduates from the past two years) plus opportunity for further £2,500 Scale-Up grants exclusive to Incubator members)
  • Fully-serviced workspace at LUinc.
  • One-to-one coaching
  • Mentoring, support and guidance from business experts and investors
  • Training and development
  • Networking and profile-raising opportunities
  • Exclusive offers from partners including Amazon Web Services, Solidworks and more.

Katie Michaels (Industrial and Product Design 2020) founded Moti Me through the University's graduate start-up programme in July 2021 to accelerate the development of a physiotherapy-focused product to help children with disabilities. Through LEN she has benefited from funding, training and support.

"The programme has enabled me to make valuable connections with experts in the physiotherapy and manufacturing field, as well as having access to educational seminars and funding through the University which has been a massive help to cover the initial set up costs," said Katie.

I've also pitched to º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Alumni where I met John (Norman) Liley (MBA 1987, Mechanical Engineering 1980) who has been a brilliant business mentor and I have really enjoyed working with.

I highly recommend the Graduate Start-Up Accelerator to anyone looking to start a business! Without it I wouldn't be where I am today."

The support available through Graduate Start-Up Accelerator is free - no fees, no equity, no charges. Apply online until midnight on 10 September.

For more information and to apply online, please visit our website.

Categories

Enterprise