Loughborough Enterprise Network
Connect with our enterprise community, exploring how to skill-up and create your own start-up.
What we do
From inspired idea to the next big business start-up, we're here to support students and graduates on their enterprise journeys. By providing valuable opportunities to develop an entrepreneurial mindset, we help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to get started!
Through the sharing of ideas and collaboration, and by accessing the support, training and start-up funding available, students and graduates are invited to become a key part of our network and unique creative community.
Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur or wondering how to get started, Loughborough Enterprise Network is here to support you at every stage of your journey.
How you can get involved
Find where you fit within our ecosystem through our programmes and what we can offer you:
SKILL-UP: Open to everyone who wants to skill-up, by exploring new ideas, networking, and developing entrepreneurial skills.
Opportunities include:
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- Skill Development
- Networking Events
- Hackathons
- Upskilling through our Skill-Up programme (see our What’s On page)
- Funding via the Skill-Up Fund (£250)
- Competitions
Skill-Up Fund
Our Skill-Up Fund could be the fund for you if you're at a very early-stage with an idea that you'd like to test and give a go or looking to enhance their personal skillset!
The maximum award amount is £250 per round however each applicant can receive a total of £500 (2x£250) from this fund overall.
Please ensure to read all the T&Cs and are aware of process timelines before applying.
This fund is open to Loughborough University and Loughborough University London students only at certain times of the year.
If you have any questions, please email LEN@lboro.ac.uk.
START-UP: For students and recent graduates who are actively testing and validating new ideas or starting, running and growing new start-up businesses.
Opportunities include:
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- Advanced programmes and workshops (See our What’s On page)
- Business Coaching
- IP and Trademark support
- Funding via the Start-up Fund (up to £5,000)
- Year in Enterprise, run a business in your placement year.
Start-Up Fund
Designed to support your business ventures, including existing businesses/developed ideas and/or new ideas.
The Start-up Fund (SUF) is a grant! Receive up to £5,000 – You will be required to provide a funding ask as part of the application process.
Further information/Process example
Start-Up Fund Process:
Stage 1: Expression of Interest:
Submit an Expression of interest form.
Our team will check your expression of interests and ensure you are eligible for the funding. Please check our terms and conditions before submitting your expression of interest.
If unsure please email us to discuss LEN@lboro.ac.uk
Stage 2: Pitch Deck
If your expression of interest is eligible, you will be invited to submit a 5 minute pitch deck and a separate document detailing your funding request (up to £5,000) and estimated items/quotes/costs. You will also be asked to reference if your business relates to one of the University's Strategic Themes. Submission of Pitch decks must be received by the specified deadline.
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and appreciate that each person can thrive when given the opportunity to. Therefore, we are happy to discuss your needs on a case-by-case basis to ensure accessibility requirements are considered. Please contact us via email: LEN@lboro.ac.uk
Stage 3: Live pitch to SUF panel
Your pitch deck will be reviewed by the Loughborough Enterprise Network team and if successful you will be invited to pitch ‘live’ to our funding panel (in-person and online options to pitch will be available).
Outcome:
Once you have presented to a live panel, the LEN Team will contact with you with the official outcome of your pitch, along with official feedback.
SCALE-UP: For graduates, staff and local start-ups. Bringing together established start-ups and scaling businesses from across the ecosystem to benefit from shared resources, networks, facilities and spaces. Find out more about LUinc., our incubator on campus.
Opportunities include:
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- Access to funding
- Founder-focused workspace
- Mentoring, support and guidance from business experts and investors
- Entrepreneur-led training programme
- Networking and profile-raising opportunities
- Exclusive offers from partners such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), SolidWorks, HubSpot and more.
Scale-Up Fund
For further details on funding for founders at the Scale-Up stage, visit the LUinc. website.
Where to find us
Start-Up Lab
The Start-Up Lab is a space that is available to be used after 2pm during term time as a free open plan vibrant working space and where LEN events can be hosted. To talk to our team about your business idea or query, email us at LEN@LBORO.AC.UK to book an appointment.
Where?
The Start-Up Lab, STEMLab 2.01, West Park.
LUinc.
LUinc. is a community of graduate entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers. It offers free office space, grants and business support to its members. Find out more and get in touch!
Where?
LUinc., Holywell Building, Holywell Way, Science and Enterprise Park (LUSEP).
London - Future Space
On our London campus is our innovation and enterprise hub, Future Space. Consisting of two seminar rooms, three meeting rooms and a large enterprise space dedicated to innovation and enterprise for both students and stakeholders.
Where?
Ground Floor, Loughborough University London.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can we keep in touch with LEN?
Subscribe to our newsletter to hear about upcoming events, when our funding opportunities open and what we have been up to!
Join our LinkedIn group and connect with likeminded people.
What do I need to bear in mind when engaging with LEN?
While Loughborough Enterprise Network and its advisers may offer you advice on your business journey, we are not legal experts. Our advice may be limited due to our own roles within the university and we will advise you to seek your own legal or financial advisers, in addition to our support, where necessary. We are not able to advise on regulated topics such as your immigration and visa status.
The advice of Loughborough Enterprise Network is not guaranteed to make you a millionaire – success is determined by many factors, including your own drive and determination. However, we will do our best to support you on your path to success.
Finally, the University cannot support businesses that are deemed to be engaging in illegal or prohibited activity and is unable to provide support to businesses whose activities may have a negative impact on the University’s wider reputation. This includes businesses whose activities promote Gambling, Pornography and / or Alcohol, and businesses with a particular religious or political agenda.
While Loughborough Enterprise Network (LEN) and your adviser(s) are here to offer support (in the form of advice and guidance, but also constructive and critical feedback where necessary) on your business idea and / or existing business, their support of you as a current Loughborough University or Loughborough University London student or graduate does not mean that the University or LEN automatically endorse your business (including its products, services, activities or events). Therefore, If you require endorsement (e.g. permission to use LEN logos in relation to your business), please get in touch to discuss this further via LEN@lboro.ac.uk.
If you are an international student studying at Loughborough on a Tier 4 visa, you are not allowed to set-up a business in the UK. You should not register as self-employed or start-up a business, nor should you be trading while here on your Tier 4 visa. Should you wish to know more about these limitations, please talk to Student Advice and Support.
I’m a student or Loughborough graduate, what support can I get?
Our team offer funding opportunities, events, workshops, networking opportunities, business coaching, enterprise support and guidance on your next entrepreneurial steps, online courses and programmes to further your knowledge.
Can I get funding for my enterprise?
Yes, LEN offer funding support primarily through our Skill-Up, Start-Up and Scale-Up funds.
Are there any terms and conditions for the funding?
Yes.
Skill-up and Start-up Funds - Terms and Conditions
Loughborough Enterprise Network will not support businesses or ideas that are related to any of the following:
- Alcohol
- Drugs (this includes any business or idea connected to tobacco, vaping, CBD oils etc.)
- Pornography
- Political or religious agendas
- Gambling
- Illegal or unregulated activity (such as cryptocurrencies)
- Property
- Finance or trading (e.g. any ideas that would need approval from the Financial Conduct Authority)
- Dating applications
Other considerations to note:
- Funding cannot be used for reoccurring costs, such as, stock, renting fees etc.
- Fund requests for Laptops, MAC books, Ipads etc. must be supported with demonstrated/predicted business impact
- Funding cannot be used for personal living costs, including travel, accommodation and wages
- Funding cannot be used to backdate any previous payments
This list is not exhaustive and is reviewed and added to on a case-by-case basis.
Should you have any queries, please email LEN@lboro.ac.uk.