Career support for student entrepreneurs
Business start-up support for students and graduates
No matter what your self-employment goal looks like, we can offer you practical support that's perfectly shaped around your ambitions. You can book one-to-one appointments with experienced advisers and join events that connect you with other founders and professionals.
Herts start-up programmes are designed to nurture those with an entrepreneurial spirit, providing access to a shared office and incubation space – helping you work and innovate in a focused, professional environment. Fast-track funding and other grant opportunities can provide you with the financial backing you need to test and grow your ideas.
You can also enter Flare, our flagship pitching competition, for the chance to present your business to expert judges and secure funding. A wide range of resources are available to help you navigate enterprise and self-employment, with curated guidance and links to external platforms.
Whether you're refining your business concept or are on the move and ready to scale up, we’ll help you build the skills and networks you need to succeed.
Flare business start-up competition
Flare champions innovation at every stage of the start-up journey. If you're developing a new idea or growing an existing business, you can apply solo or as a team. The competition runs in two stages: an initial application round followed by a final pitch event. Ten finalists are selected by a panel of expert judges to present their ideas and take part in a live Q&A. Winners are announced during a networking reception on the same day.
Flare has helped launch a wide range of successful ventures. Keerthi Busanaboyina, a Computer Science graduate, secured funding for Ellyfe, a wearable device that monitors hydration in older adults.
Fashion graduate Nishrat Islam turned her award-winning idea Bground – a sustainable fashion brand using recycled coffee grounds – into a growing business.
Prizes recognise innovation, creativity, and impact. Winners receive tailored support from our Enterprise Team, including mentoring, branding advice, business model development, customer acquisition strategies, funding guidance, and six months’ access to our Enterprise Hub. Every finalist is encouraged to build momentum and take their idea to the next level. Are you our next success story?
Resources to power your next venture
MyCareer Portal links you to enterprise resources that support every stage of your business journey. Access guidance on planning, freelancing, company structures, and finance, including grants, loans, and equity. Tap into sector-specific support across technology, engineering, life sciences, and renewables. Find tailored resources for disabled founders and Black, Asian, and minority entrepreneurs, plus connections to training, networks, and expert advice aligned with your goals.
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Cobra
Support and funding advice for business start-ups, freelancers, and small business owners.
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Resources for entrepreneurs
Vast selection of links to websites related to enterprise, entrepreneurship, and self-employment.
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The King’s Trust
Provides business start-up support to people aged 18 to 30.
Enterprise events and founder programmes
Our careers service runs bootcamps, workshops, webinars, and one-to-one advice sessions for students and graduates ready to explore entrepreneurship. Each November, we mark Global Entrepreneurship Week with events that connect you to business leaders, founders and innovators – offering insight, inspiration, and real-world connections.
Our start-up programmes are designed to align with where you are and where you are headed. From our beginner-friendly Enterprise Foundation Programme to the more ambitious Take Flight Incubator, you can shape, test, and grow your business ideas at whatever pace suits your needs.
If you're a UK student and ready to commit full-time, the self-employed placement year gives you the chance to run your own venture while gaining experience and preparing for life beyond university.
Whatever stage you're at, these opportunities are built to move you forward with practical support, expert insight, and a network that backs bold thinking.
Accelerate your business with our Incubator Programme
Apply for our Incubator Programme to access exclusive events, workshops, and one-to-one advice sessions tailored to your business goals. You’ll join a cohort of like-minded founders and benefit from practical insights, peer support, and expert guidance.
Founders can also apply for six or twelve months of incubation space in the Enterprise Hub. This collaborative environment is ideal for developing your venture, progressing a key idea or working towards a specific milestone. If you're registering a freelance business, starting to trade or scaling an existing venture, the Hub connects you to a vibrant start-up community on campus.
Our Careers & Employment service also offers start-up programmes and seed funding to help you build your business safely and sustainably. You can book one-to-one appointments with advisers and get support at every stage of your journey.
For ambitious founders, the Take Flight Incubator Programme offers bespoke support and mentorship with regular check-ins to help you launch or expand your business.