A group of student entrepreneurs from the University have started work on the new Emerge Programme being run by the Careers and Employability Service in partnership with LAB by Capacity.
The group of 19 students were chosen for the programme following a call-out for innovative business ideas. They are now embarking on a three-month business development programme with the chance to win a £1,000 prize, an iPad Pro and potential investment from local businesses.
LAB by Capacity, which has partnered with the University’s Careers and Employability Service to offer the opportunity, is a unique co-working space and business incubator in Liverpool’s commercial district. It is aimed at supporting early stage social ventures and commercial start-ups.
The programme received a wide range of applications from across the University – from first year undergraduates right through to third year PhD students – with the winning submissions including recycling initiatives, wellbeing schemes, and University starter kits.
Over the duration of the programme, competitors will attend a combination of workshops and masterclasses taught by regional, national and international business professionals to find out what it takes to build and maintain a successful enterprise. An impressive roster of CEOs, directors, and business founders have been lined up to share their own experiences of overcoming challenges as a start-up, in addition to providing guidance on essential business skills including marketing, financial planning and networking.
Commenting on the programme, student Maya Arogundade said: “Talking to business people and learning through their first-hand experience is invaluable, because it gives you the tools and skills to approach it on your own. I’m learning so much already and this is only the second workshop”.
Whilst taking part in the programme, competitors will get to enjoy the full benefits of a LAB by Capacity’s membership, which includes access to additional events, further mentoring, building facilities, as well as exclusive access to the entirety of the LAB’s professional network.
At the end of the twelve weeks, the entrepreneurs will be putting what they’ve learnt to the test by pitching their business plans to a panel of judges made up of experts, educators and investors in the hopes of winning the prizes on offer.
Follow their progress with the hashtag #LivUniEmerge or check out the Careers and Employability Service Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.