We have recently launched our Graduate Start-Up Scheme. The Scheme will support up to 10 graduates who are looking to get their business off the ground by providing them with up to £3,000 of business funding, as well as support from local company Business Butler to provide them with expert business advice and mentoring.

Want to know more? Click here. 

Over the last couple of years, the Enterprise Team have worked with vairous external organisations to deliver fantastic Accelerator Programmes.

The point of these programmes, is to help those in the early stages of their businesses to 'accelerate' towards either launching, or growing their businesses. These courses generally run during the summer period, enabling you to have the time to dedicate to this without conflicting with your studies, running for either a week intensive course, or running over serveral weeks with fewer sessions per week.

In August 2022, we worked with Iungo Solutions, run by Jessica Leigh Jones, MBE. Previously, we have worked with Town Square, UNpreneur and more. 

If you are interested in being put on the waiting list for one of our programmes, then please get in touch with us via email!

Business Workshops

We host a number of workshops for those who either have their own business, or are in the early stages of setting up their business. These workshops tend to focus on the skills that you need to run a successful business. Whether this is funding and how to access it, or how a social enterprise can run effectively to tackle real-world problems, we get fantastic local experts and entrepreneurs to talk to you! 

Don't have a business? No problem! Lots of our workshops are focused on skill development. This means, that you can hone in your skills that will help you when you are looking to secure your dream job. Lots of skills that entrepreneurs have, or are classed as "entrepreneurial" are essential to demonstrate in jobs. Working independently? Managing the work/life balance? Networking? All of these are great for everyone to focus on.

Networking

Networking is a key priority for those who are business-minded, as well as those who are looking for the right job for them. We host several "Meet & Mingle" networking events throughout the year, to allow those who run their own business or are interested in running their own business to share their experiences and meet other likeminded individuals. Typically, we host these at local, independent businesses around the Swansea area. 

Additionally, on our socials we will promote any externally-organised events, which may include networking! 

MAKE SURE TO CHECK OUT OUR SOCIALS TO KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON!

Hackathons

A hackathon (also known as a hack day, hackfest or codefest) traditionally is a design sprint-like event in which computer programmers and others involved in software development collaborate intensively over a number of days on software projects.

The goal of a hackathon is to create usable software or hardware with the goal of creating a functioning product by the end of the event.

Typically, lots of these events will focus on social issues and coming up with practical solutions to real-life problems.

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Invent for the Planet

17th - 19th February 2023

For 48 hours, you will work to solve a mission statement focusing on real global issues. From arriving on the Friday where you will form teams to presenting your final, created design in front of a panel of judges on Sunday - this is a full on, intense chance to develop multiple skills.

Build experience in engineering and science innovation and design, develop your team work, communication and presentation skills. We will have a team of expert mentors available throughout the weekend on site to consult with. You can also utilise the Mission Statement Expert allocated from the participating universities, meaning you could be talking to a world leading academic researcher on the other side of the world.

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Hack for Change

Wednesday 19th October 2022

The Hack of Change is a one day event where students from all of the Universities in Wales come together to develop ideas to support local issues. Participants will learn the basics of setting up a social enterprise, including idea generation, market-testing and how to create impact for local communities.

This is a great way of expanding your network and developing your awareness towards social issues and how we can create practical solutions for them.

Previous Hackathons:

Students collaborate with Swansea City Football Club for inaugural Hackathon weekend.

Invent for the planet

Want to run your own event or initiative? Apply for your £200 voucher.

If you would like the opportunity to host and deliver an event, workshop or initiative that will:

• drive business opportunities
• raise awareness of entrepreneurship
• encourage participation
• identify ambassadors
• help your members to develop their skills and network with others
• visit a business/organisation
• bring in business role models that will lead to supporting enterprise development

Simply email us an insight into your idea and how the money would benefit you.

Why not ask SEA to match fund with their £100 societies voucher.

Want to test trade?

Have a business idea that you want to finesse? Need some customer feedback on your products? 

We have two test trading stands that are available every Tuesday for students to test trade from! With one on Singleton Campus and the other on Bay Campus, it is a great opportunity for you to use a diverse customer pool to test your products. 

Whether it is food, a service, a product, we can support you with your business journey.

Get in touch with us to book your space!

Market Trading

Since the return to Campus after Covid-19, we have been working with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences to collaborate on our Markets. At these markets, we have had a number of students businesses trading and selling their products, alongside staff and other local sellers. This is another great opportunity to develop your local network and get your business promoted - for FREE!

If you are interested in taking part in the upcoming Christmas Market on Thursday 1st December 2022, then register your interest.

Find out more or check out What's On.

We provide training and advisory services in order to help support to take your first steps in starting or growing your business. This includes access to business advisors and mentors, drop in clinics, 1-2-1 support and workshops.

Business Mentors

We always seek to get our students the best support that we can find. That is why, since September 2021 we have been working with Dr Ben Reynolds as our Entrepreneur-in-Residence. Ben is a local entrepreneur and Swansea University Alumni who has set aside time to have 1-2-1 meetings with our students. During these meetings, Ben can advise you on whatever you need, whether it is setting up a social enterprise like he has with the Urban Foundry, or advising you on the next steps of your business. If you are interested in meeting with ben, email us enterprise@swansea.ac.uk. 

Big Ideas Wales

Big Ideas Wales works with anyone in Wales who is under the age of 25 to get them business ready. There are role models that we can put you in touch with and they run tonnes of sessions to help get your business launched and develop your skills. Check out their website for more information! 

Enterprise and entrepreneurial skills, mind-sets and behaviours are for everyone – not just for those wanting to start a business! Innovative modules have been developed which help you gain experience of solving problems creatively and giving you the opportunity to turn your ideas into action.

From Medicine to Science, English to Engineering, Management to Law (and everything in between) we keep your subject at the core of what we do; using toolkits and sharing best practice, we work with the Schools / Colleges to engage in as much entrepreneurial mind-set building as possible.

We also provide unique opportunities to gain experience of working on real-world challenges relevant to your interests where your solutions can make a real difference whilst developing relationships with a fantastic network of organisations.

This free to join network provides you with a platform to meet with potential employers, investors and mentors; supporting and encouraging collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Why is networking important?

When we spoke to our graduates about how they launched successful businesses they all said that having a network of useful contacts was vital. Here are just a few of the benefits you’ll gain by joining the Network:

• You’ll build an impressive contacts book
• You’ll learn from other start-ups and business experts
• You’ll have the chance to sound out your ideas and develop those ideas using other people’s input

To register visit Swansea LINC