What’s it all about?
KU wants to help recent graduates who have ideas to develop and the determination to do so.
This year we are offering 20 awards with a value of up to £3,000 cash, and in-kind support to help new entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to fruition.
You can apply now for an Enterprising Graduate Award which will get you started in your enterprise.
Overview of the bursaries
The objective of the awards is to help Kingston graduates to develop successful new enterprises.
- These may be creative, technical or social enterprises, or they may be enterprise projects with a specific, time-limited objective.
- They may be object-based (developing an invention or a design) or service-based.
The award will provide access to a hot-desk, extensive mentoring and support, a contribution to a Postgraduate Certificate, and cash to spend on developing your enterprise over a 12 month period.
Each award will be made on a competitive basis to students with specific enterprise ideas which they wish to develop.
The bursaries will enable individuals to work part-time while also developing their new enterprises in our supportive environment.
Elements of the award:
Professional Advice and Support
- Mentoring for you and your enterprise from experts in entrepreneurship and enterprise startup at Kingston University and beyond.
- Support in entering further business plan / ideas competitions in order to raise funds, build your networks, and find further support.
- Regular reviews from a KU enterprise board to keep you on track.
Post-Graduate Education
- Monthly attendance on a course to get expert input and the support of a peer group of entrepreneurs.
- Contribution of £500 towards enrolment on the PG Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship; you contribute the remaining £700 of the fee if you wish to pursue the course.
- The programme is completed by doing the tasks that are needed to get your enterprise going successfully, and submitting reports about these.
- If successful in the course, you can progress to earn the PG Diploma and MA, increasing the value of your education.
Facilities
- Access to hot-desk facilities at the university, worth £1,000 p.a.
- Facilities for meeting with clients and sponsors.
- Virtual facilities for accessing information, research, and a community of like-minded people.
Cash
- Two half-yearly payments of £250.
- Opportunity to bid for up to £1,000 from a total fund of £20,000 to spend on agreed projects to develop your enterprise.
- Access to part-time work through University Talent with which to support yourself while you develop your enterprise
