Enterprise Incubation Centre
A space to grow
We are dedicated to helping student and graduate start-ups at the University of Hertfordshire grow into established and profitable business ventures.
The Enterprise Incubation Centre is located opposite the de Havilland campus and provides one year's free access to office space, business advice and other support services to new and budding start-ups, nurturing their development until they are ready to graduate onto independent premises.
The centre provides services designed to help you grow, including:
- Fantastic business facilities: For eligible applicants we provide one year's free access to office equipment, including PCs, laptop access points, phones and standard office furniture.
- Business clinics and progress reviews: Our monthly business clinics provide advice and support to help set and achieve important targets. Our quarterly reviews monitor your progress and ensure you have the support you need.
- Monthly networking sessions: Our networking sessions are informal, informative sessions designed to connect our community of entrepreneurs. The sessions provide excellent opportunities to promote your business and gain information about start-up resources.
- Working with like-minded people: Establish relationships and gather inspiration from other businesses in the Incubation Centre.
Join the Enterprise Incubation Centre
The Enterprise Incubation Centre is open to all UK and EU students*, staff and recent graduates of the University with businesses that have been operational for less than three years or a business idea that is ready to launch. We also support aspiring start-ups and entrepreneurs requiring incubation support to help take their ideas to the next level.
To join the Incubation Centre students, graduates and staff are required to:
- Complete an application form
- Provide a business plan
- Sign an access agreement
To begin your application for the Enterprise Incubation Centre, please complete the application form now or contact enterprise@herts.ac.uk for more information.
*Please note the enterprise fund is not currently open to international students (outside the EU) due to visa restrictions.
Staying with us
As above, the Enterprise Incubation Centre provides one year's free access to office space. If after one year you would like to stay with us, the following options are open to you:
- Student start-ups can request an extension for an annual token charge of £250 throughout the duration of their studies.
- Graduate / Alumni start-ups can request further access at a token charge of £250 for the first six months and with the options to extend this for up to one year on an incremental charge basis to reflect growth and earning potential of the business.
Graduating from the Incubation Centre
At the end of one year's free access to the Centre, if you are ready to move on but still need to operate from a supportive environment, we will help you make this transition. Businesses can access support to relocate into suitable facilities e.g. the University's Innovation Centre at the College Lane campus. We also have contacts with other local Incubation Centres and can provide referrals on to these.
More information
For more information or to begin your application please email enterprise@herts.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1707 285647.
