Graduate Enterprise

Warwick Enterprise provides support to graduates from the University of Warwick to launch their own start-up venture. We have two offers; a Graduate Enterprise Support Package and a 6-month Graduate Enterprise Incubator Programme.

Graduate Enterprise Support Package

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

The following support is available to all University of Warwick 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

Graduate Enterprise Incubator Programme (6-month tailored support programme)

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

There will be two intakes of up to ten graduates per calendar year for our incubator programme, the first in January and the second in July. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to develop a prototype, complete market testing and define their idea’s initial business case. They will receive the following:

• £2,500 Grant (free equity)
• A tailored programme of support
• 1:1 monthly coaching
• Access to monthly guest speaker sessions
• Introductions to other business, providers and experts in the University of Warwick and Warwick Innovation District ecosystem

Eligibility criteria

• You must be a University of Warwick graduate with the motivation and determination to build and start a business in the UK; therefore, you must be able to run your business from the UK. Immigration status must be considered before applying. For further support, speak with our Enterprise Startup Coach.
• The applicant must be ready to incorporate a limited company or registering as a sole trader (or the applicable legal entity to the business) once onboarded in our programme.
• Applications can come from individuals or teams (with a maximum of five co-founders or five team members).
• All applicants must either be current final-year undergraduate or postgraduate students or recent University of Warwick graduates (graduated from April 2022, copy of the Degree will be requested).
• The business team must be primarily based in the West Midlands during their time in the Graduate Incubator Programme.

Initial meeting

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

Get in touch to 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 Graduate Enterprise Incubator Programme

• We run two application windows per calendar year, one in April and one in October.

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

  • July Intake – application window in April each year
  • January Intake - application window in October 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.
• We will review all applications within two weeks of the application window closing.

Criteria

Applications are reviewed against three criteria. For more detail on these criteria, please schedule a call with the Enterprise 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 business plan template is to be used
• Attach a financial forecast. This Warwick Enterprise financial forecast template is to be used
• Include a link to a three-minute pitch-video

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

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