Student and Graduate Enterprise

Warwick Enterprise provides support to students and graduates from the University of Warwick to launch their own start-up venture. We have two offers; a Student and Graduate Enterprise Support Package and a 12-month Start-up Programme.

Student and Graduate Enterprise Support Package

Only a diagnostic meeting with our Start-up Coach is required to access this package

The following support is available to all University of Warwick students and graduates:

• Free registration to My Innovation Collective, a networking and mentorship platform where you can access various types of support from idea generation to IP protection
• Access to co-working space in Junction building on the University of Warwick's main campus
• Access to Warwick Innovation District events and networking opportunities
• Support with registering your business with Companies House
• Connecting with a community of graduate entrepreneurs
• Ad hoc 1:1's with out Start-up Coach

Start-up Programme (12-month programme)

Application process is required to access this programme (see eligibility and details below)

There will be three intakes of up to ten students and graduates per calendar year for our start-up programme. These will be in January, May and September. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to validate their business model, develop their initial customer acquisition and retention strategies, identify financial and operations processes for scaling and prepare for investment readiness. They will receive:

• At least 1 x 1 hour progress call per month with Start-up Coach
• Monthly progress report against MAP document
• Workshops introducing programme candidates to:
  • Brand building
  • Business Modelling
  • Legal and Compliance (IP)
  • Operations Management
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Readiness
• Introductions to other business, providers and experts in the University of Warwick and Warwick Innovation District ecosystem

Download the Start-Up Programme Handbook for more information.

Eligibility criteria for Start-up Programme

• You must be a current University of Warwick student (undergraduate or postgraduate) or graduate with the motivation and determination to start and grow a business in the UK; therefore, you must be able to run your business from the UK. For graduates, immigration status must be considered before applying. For further support, speak with our Start-up Coach.
• The applicant must be ready to incorporate a limited company or register as a sole trader (or the applicable legal entity to the business) once onboarded onto the programme.
• Applications can come from individuals or teams (with a maximum of five co-founders or five team members)

Initial meeting for Start-up Programme

You are required to schedule an initial 30-minute meeting with the Start-up Coach. This will give you the opportunity to discuss your business idea, the application process and how applications are evaluated.

Schedule a call or contact enterprise at warwick dot ac dot uk.

Please note: The initial 1:1 meeting is a pre-requisite for your application.

Applications to our Start-up Programme

• We run three application windows per calendar year. These are in March, July and November.

• The application windows are linked to our three intakes per calendar year as follows:

  • January Intake – application window in November of previous year
  • May Intake - application window in March each year
  • September Intake - application window in July each year
• Please see 'Dates to Apply' below for more detail on our next application window.
• You will need to complete an application form and attach a business plan and financial forecast.
• You must use the templates provided (other business plan and financial forecast templates will not be accepted).
• You will also need to submit a link to a three minute pitch video for your idea.

Criteria

Applications are reviewed against three criteria. For more detail on these criteria, please schedule a call with the Start-up Coach

Criterion one - viability

Is there enough evidence in the Business Plan and Financial Forecast to prove that this business idea has the potential to generate revenue.

Criterion two - scalability

Is there enough evidence in the Business Plan and Financial Forecast which presents the growth potential of the business.

Criterion three - innovation

What evidence is presented in the Business Plan that demonstrates how this business is differentiating itself in the market.

Dates to apply

Supporting Documentation

To apply, you will need to:

• Click on Apply now
• Attach a business plan. This Warwick Enterprise Start-up Programme Business Plan Template is to be used
• Attach a financial forecast. This Warwick Enterprise Start-up Programme Financial Forecast Template is to be used
• Include a link to a three-minute pitch-video

For any enquiries relating the student and graduate enterprise support offered by Warwick Enterprise, please email enterprise@warwick.ac.uk

You can also schedule a 1:1 with our Start-up Coach by clicking here if you want to discuss your business idea or student and graduate enterprise support.

Late applications

The Warwick Enterprise team is unable to accept late applications. If you miss the deadline you will need to submit an application in the next application round.