Workshops and programmes

The Ingenuity Programme 

Want to make an impact with your business idea?

Ingenuity is a national programme runs by the University of Nottingham and with Surrey as South East Regional Hosts this year!

This programme runs from October 2022 to June 2023 and consists of three key segments.  

First, the skills and training section will help you develop your idea, build a business plan and prepare for launch. Our Ingenuity Skills Hub will provide tutorials to help turn your idea into a business that creates impact and prepare you to pitch for funding.  

The Ingenuity Competition will run from April to June, as you develop your pitch with help from experienced mentors and present your idea to expert judging panels.  

We will be holding our South East regional final in May.

The National Ingenuity Showcase, on Friday 16 June, will reveal the top ideas for each region and crown our national challenge champions and entrepreneur of the year. Winners will take a share of a £75,000 prize pot!  

To find out more and start coming up with ideas with others who want to make a difference join Student Enterprise for an ideation session, running Tuesday nights in November. Book in on Eventbrite here.

Or you can register for Ingenuity right now by visiting The Ingenuity Programme - impact through enterprise (ingenuityimpact.org).

GradInvest@20

SETsquared graduate investment showcase December 2022, open for graduate start-up applications now! Apply by 9am 3 October.

The showcase will be an opportunity to bring together the best graduate start-ups from across our five SETsquared partner Universities, and collectively celebrate some of the most amazing entrepreneurial talents of our graduates.

The event is designed to link graduate entrepreneurs to support resources and help them develop connections with potential investors, mentors, and the larger business community.

This showcase is a culmination of a supportive programme whereby each graduate is given guidance to hone their company pitch to maximise their attractiveness to potential investors.

Graduate companies are provided significant promotion within the investor and wider start-up ecosystem, both nationally and internationally, as well as the corporate and media community, with an online audience of several hundred expected from an international audience.

Why should I apply for a place on the GradInvest 2022?

Overall, the programme is a great opportunity to hone your pitching skills, gain feedback from real investors, SETsquared programme managers, experienced entrepreneurs and mentors and to promote your business to a wider network.

The University of Surrey Student Enterprise will support you throughout the programme and there is great camaraderie amongst the graduates, particularly those who make it to the final. Last year Surrey had 5 graduate companies who made it all the way and they continue to be heavily involved in the start up scene on campus, with many doors opened to them beyond this.

Selection criteria

Applicants are eligible if they have graduated from one of the SETsquared Universities (Bath, Bristol, Exeter, Southampton and Surrey) or plan to graduate by autumn 2022. In special circumstances those entering their final year in Autumn 2022 will be considered. We accept applicants up to 3 years post-graduation.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate rigorous market validation, a strong and viable business model and the potential for continued growth and development.

Applications are welcomed whether the company is looking to:

• Raise early stage investment (seed level, or feasibility/proof of concept)
• Find mentors to support the development of their business idea
• Gain access to further support through SETsquared accelerator programmes, or other incubators/accelerators.

Financial support from the University of Surrey Student Enterprise will be available to those Surrey graduates who make the final, in order that they can attend on the rehearsal and final (30 November and 1 December) in London.

Applications open in September and the programme will run until the showcase on 1 December, with only those successful at each round making it this far. Only one individual may represent the graduate company throughout the process and any companies who have already progressed through the competition in a previous year will not be eligible to enter again unless there has been a significant pivot to their business model.

How do I apply?

In the first instance it is best to contact Kat Mack, your Student Enterprise Manager at Surrey who can provide you with a one-pager template and review your application before you submit it.

Applications when ready should be made by 9am on 3 October.

For more information or to discuss your eligibility please contact Kat Mack, Student Enterprise Manager on k.mack@surrey.ac.uk.

IKEEP - innovation challenges

The SETsquared Partnership have announced the launch of a new initiative, known as IKEEP, the Intrapreneurial Knowledge Exchange Enterprise Pathway that matches regional small and medium enterprises (including CICs and charities) with teams of skilled students to tackle innovative project briefs through short-term placements.

Who can benefit through IKEEP?

IKEEP is particularly well-suited for organisations which are established beyond the early start-up stage, that have project or product ideas that need the skills, know-how and/or resources to test them.

Students from all disciplines and level can take part in the programme and use their specialist knowledge in an intrapreneurial role.

What support can I get through IKEEP?

Through IKEEP you get a team of three university students from a variety of disciplines to help actualise a ‘backburner’, innovative project for your organisation.

Based on preference and availability, projects can run on an intensive basis over two weeks, or flexibly across four weeks.

Currently we are looking for projects to be completed in April and June.

Students will be supported to work with businesses, and will receive intrapreneurship and problem-solving training before being selected and placed on challenges suited to their skill-set. 

A dedicated member of the Student Enterprise team will monitor and support on both sides to ensure a smooth project and good communications throughout.

Is there a cost to businesses who take part in the IKEEP programme?

IKEEP is at no cost to the organisation. IKEEP pays a stipend to students (undergraduate and postgraduate) upon completion of a project.

What action do I need to take to benefit from IKEEP?

If you have a project in mind, contact Kate Bray at k.bray@surrey.ac.uk or register your interest with a project brief outline. Kate will be able to liaise with you to develop a clear and detailed project brief for a student team to tackle.

Enactus

Enactus Surrey is a society at the University of Surrey, but to our members it’s more than just a society. Enactus is a worldwide community of students, academics, and business leaders committed to using entrepreneurial action to improve lives and shape a better, more sustainable world.

Enactus Surrey has many projects both locally and internationally. An example of one of our local projects is JumpStart, which is a project that aims to reduce youth unemployment in Guildford by running employability workshops and one-to-one mentoring. An example of one of our international projects is Source, which is a project in the Philippines that provides and installs solar lighting to houses that do not have lighting, or are using kerosene lamps.  

As well as having a positive impact on people’s lives, being part of Enactus also opens many opportunities, like free training to develop skills. Regional, National and Global World Cup competitions take place annually, these develop the leadership skills of Enactus members as well as providing a platform to meet other teams and share ideas in a culture of learning and developing from each other.

For more information visit our Enactus website or join our society .

Follow Enactus on Instagram and LinkedIn: Enactus_Surrey

Start-Up Visa

Looking to develop a business idea whilst gaining your visa? We can help you to develop your business whilst you apply.

Eligibility criteria:

• Have a viable and credible business idea.
• Be in your final year of study, graduating this year (or have graduated with the last two years as an international student).
• Hold the required savings in your account for 90 consecutive days (prior to the UKVI application).

The Student Enterprise team are here to advise on the University application process for the Start Up Visa Scheme and provide support to help you develop your business plan and start you on your entrepreneurial journey. If you have any visa queries related to the Scheme, contact International Student Support.

Find out more about the Start-Up Visa or express your interest in the scheme please complete the expression of interest form and send to studententerprise@surrey.ac.uk.