Enterprise at Leeds
A new fundraising project will transform Leeds into an enterprise hub, enabling students to tackle the problems of tomorrow.
Whether it’s bringing innovation to existing problems, or creating startups of their own, graduates with an enterprising mindset make an impact.
Leeds recognises this. The University already runs enterprise based degrees and modules, and an award-winning business start-up programme – SPARK – which has helped to launch over 1,000 businesses.
A brand new fundraising project, Enterprise at Leeds, will build upon this expertise to ensure that all Leeds graduates can enter the world of work with the innovation skills needed to thrive – wherever they might go.
It will transform Leeds into an enterprise hub that attracts the most visionary and enterprising students worldwide.
Why now?
At a time of significant economic, social and environmental challenge, enterprising skills are needed now more than ever.
Leeds graduates can be found across businesses, public services and governments all over the globe. From directors at the World Health Organisation, to governors of national banks, to prime ministers, Leeds alumni are in a position to make a difference.
Leeds students follow in their footsteps. We trust that they have the ideas to solve the issues we face now and in the future, whatever their area of expertise. Leeds will help them to develop enterprising skills needed to take those ideas forward.
Why Leeds?
Leeds has always been a city of innovation – the first compact thermometer, the first motion picture, the first automated traffic light, Monopoly, Jelly Tots, the world's first double hand transplant, the world's thinnest unsupported gold. It's all made in Leeds.
And the University sits at its beating heart. Leeds excels in developing enterprising mindsets:
World-changing businesses
Spark, the University's business start up service, has a long track record in nurturing student businesses and many have gone on to become global successes. Through workshops and mentoring, students are provided with bespoke advice in areas such as accounting and law, and grant funding is provided to help students to get their idea off the ground.
We have an impressive history of transforming academic research into commercial success - since 2019, spinouts have had a turnover of £968.7m and attracted external investment of £142m.
Enterprising skills
For 18 years, modules offered by our Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Studies have been open to students, helping them to enhance the transferable skills that employers value. Over 1,500 students engage in enterprise degrees or modules across campus each year.
A playground for creativity
In 2023, the HELIX facility was opened to students, a £3.6m playground for creativity, enterprise and piloting new ideas.
Alongside its professional standard media studios, podcasting booths, 3D-printing and laser-cutting and creative facilities, HELIX has the UK’s first virtual reality Omnideck, which allows users to explore an unrestricted virtual world. Its makerspaces offers the tools for students from across disciplines to come together to build, make, and experiment.
Academic innovators
A pioneering fellowship helps the next generation of Leeds academics progress their research into new, practical ideas with real benefits to society. The Michael Beverley Innovation Fellowship Programme inspires and supports mid-career researchers to turn their research into innovative solutions with societal benefits.
By building on Leeds expertise, Enterprise at Leeds will ensure all students benefit from the opportunity to innovate.
Discover the scope of Enterprise at Leeds.
Charlie Jardine (Design and Technology Management 2013) started his first company whilst studying at Leeds. Ten years on, the CEO and founder of EO Charging is creating the infrastructure for a transport revolution.
Charlie Jardine (Design and Technology Management 2013) started his first company whilst studying at Leeds. Ten years on, the CEO and founder of EO Charging is creating the infrastructure for a transport revolution.
Sam Ryan (Business and Economics 2014) and Barney Williams (Environment and Business 2013) sold their first business – a ride share app for students developed at Leeds – in 2014. They went on to found Zeelo, described as Uber for buses. The online shuttle booking service hit the headlines after a 600 per cent revenue growth during the pandemic. The business was valued at £100 million in 2022.
Sam Ryan (Business and Economics 2014) and Barney Williams (Environment and Business 2013) sold their first business – a ride share app for students developed at Leeds – in 2014. They went on to found Zeelo, described as Uber for buses. The online shuttle booking service hit the headlines after a 600 per cent revenue growth during the pandemic. The business was valued at £100 million in 2022.
Jamie Crummie (Law 2014) co-founded the food app which lets customers rescue unsold food from shops and restaurants to save it from going to waste. Too Good to Go is now used by over 60,000 businesses and has rescued 100 million meals from going to waste around the globe.
Jamie Crummie (Law 2014) co-founded the food app which lets customers rescue unsold food from shops and restaurants to save it from going to waste. Too Good to Go is now used by over 60,000 businesses and has rescued 100 million meals from going to waste around the globe.
Enterprise at Leeds
We want enterprise activity to become an integral part of our culture. If we do this well, it will give the University a global reputation for enterprise.
Enterprise at Leeds will ensure every student who sets foot on campus, from medics to historians, will have the opportunity to engage with enterprise activity to benefit their future career through:
1. Discovery opportunities
Business competitions, hackathons and innovation sprints will give students the chance to practice entrepreneurial skills and develop an entrepreneurial mindset – while working on projects that could have real-world potential.
2. The Leeds Sandpit model
Leeds will partner with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to launch the Leeds Sandpit.
The first of its kind in Europe, the Leeds Sandpit won't just be exclusive to start-ups. It will be a place where all students can take risks, return to the drawing board if ideas fail and learn from their experience. As a community, students will have the opportunity to develop and share ideas.
And it will be supported by industry mentors and MIT's training and expertise.
"Some US universities are doing aspects of this approach, but it’s often just about creating start-up companies for students already on an entrepreneurial path,” says Dr Richard Tunstall, Associate Professor of Enterprise. “MIT and Leeds will partner to explore how this works in a bigger, broader university to give all students the chance to develop their ideas and work towards creating impact from their knowledge.”
3. A bigger SPARK
By increasing the number of businesses engaging with the business start-up service, more students with a business idea will receive the financial support, mentorship and motivation to make it happen.
Many students might not progress their ideas whilst they're with us, and that's why we support businesses up to seven years after they've have graduated.
4. A new model of learning
Enterprise will be embedded as part of learning across faculties and disciplines at Leeds.
How would that look? Our biotechnology students are already working with a successful biosciences entrepreneur in lectures and seminars to develop their commercial skillset. They’re learning how to turn ideas into successes from the lived experiences of an entrepreneur.
Leeds at the House of Lords
As a hub of enterprise activity, Leeds will become a key centre of business connection and networking.
And it's happening already. In May 2024, Leeds hosted a special evening at the House of Lords. We were joined by enterprising alumni – many of whom started their businesses whilst studying at Leeds – for an evening of networking and to celebrate the University’s fresh approach to the spirit of enterprise.
Watch a video from the night about the new approach to enterprise at Leeds:
What's next?
Together, we can make Leeds the go to destination for student enterprise in Europe.
You can help us get there by giving a philanthropic gift to enterprise. Our invaluable ambitions in this space are only possible with donations from supporters like you.
Or you could volunteer your time. Help students to flourish by offering careers advice, sharing knowledge about your industry, mentoring students or providing work experience.
To find out how you can support our ambitions, email Alex Lakin a.lakin@leeds.ac.uk
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