Keele University’s flagship summer start-up programme, supported by our OFS Student Knowledge Exchange Project and Santander, received a record-breaking number of applications this year. Thirty-five students and graduates managed to secure a place and a share of almost £40,000 in grants.

The programme supports a broad range of enterprising and entrepreneurial activity, including commercial businesses, self-employment and freelancing, social enterprises, community projects and environmental initiatives. Participants can be at any stage, from idea to already successfully trading, and will all receive intensive expert support, guidance and development throughout the summer to help them stand the best chance of success.

Terry Dray, Director for Employability and Employer Engagement commented:

"We are transforming Student enterprise and entrepreneurship at Keele. Will Pritchard, Entrepreneur in Residence and Leila Green, OfS Student Enterprise Adviser, have worked creatively to engage students via societies and academic courses. They have, delivered popular boot camps, enterprise challenges and promoted freelancing as a realistic opportunity for some, whilst focusing on using more accessible language to help students make a connection with working for themselves."

Visit our Student Knowledge Exchange project webpages to find out further information about the project.