MDX launches three exciting initiatives for student entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week
MDX launches three exciting initiatives for student entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week
16/11/2020
Middlesex University will be staging the Entrepreneurial Barnet competition, the MDXcelerator event and offering Start Up grants
Middlesex University is delighted to announce three exciting initiatives for student entrepreneurs at the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The university will once again be running the Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition, the MDXcelerator programme for business start-ups and in conjunction with Santander Universities will offer grants and mentoring to budding entrepreneurs.
"At Middlesex, we believe that entrepreneurial action along with technological innovation and radical creativity have the power to effect social change and shape a better world," Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University.
Our Enterprise Development Hub helps around 600 students every year and works with more than 70 local and national businesses.
Successful entrepreneurial alumni include famous names such as David Buttress who founded the app JustEat, Anne Boden, the CEO and founder of Starling Bank, and Tim Campbell MBE the first winner of the hit television show The Apprentice in 2005.
Over the next few months, MDX will be championing three initiatives with financial support from Santander to build on this tradition of enterprise and innovation:
Entrepreneurial Barnet: The Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition, 'What's Your Big Idea?' is a contest to promote and develop enterprise throughout Barnet and amongst the student population. It offers Middlesex University, Barnet and Southgate College students and local residents the opportunity to showcase their ideas, attend business development workshops and win funding to help grow their business. The competition is led by Middlesex University, London Borough of Barnet and Barnet and Southgate College with the generous support of Santander Universities. There is a cash prize fund of £10,000.
MDXcelerator. In its third consecutive year, MDXcelerator 2021 Start-up Support Programme for MDX students and alumni is opening its application portal once again to invite early stage entrepreneurs to submit their business ideas and sign up for a chance to become the our MDXcelerator 2021 winner. The programme is dedicated to supporting highly committed students and alumni from all backgrounds and a diverse spectrum of ideas and aspirations by offering a unique programme of masterclasses and workshops delivered by successful entrepreneurs; networking opportunities; 1:1 mentoring from successful business founders and the chance to pitch for seed-funding.
Start Up Grants. A micro business is a small business that is run part time and employs fewer than three people including the owner. With the help of Santander Universities, students will have the opportunity to set up and run a micro business that could one day become something bigger. Santander are offering five grants of £1,000 to the winners of this competition. The aim is to enable students to develop their business planning skills with the view of setting up and running a micro business.
With the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy, it is more crucial than ever that students and graduates are equipped with entrepreneurial skills in an even more challenging jobs market.
Professor Nic Beech, Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University, said: “Universities are an incredible place to explore, test and develop new ideas and ventures
“This is important because at Middlesex, we believe that entrepreneurial action along with technological innovation and radical creativity have the power to effect social change and shape a better world
“Global Entrepreneurship Week is about encouraging people to explore their potential as an entrepreneur while helping build connections and collaborations.
“This links very closely to what we do here to develop our students’ entrepreneurial spirit to help them be better prepared for the world of work and contribute more to society.
“The same skills and characteristics required to be a successful entrepreneur are also in demand in the corporate world - so by building these skills, students are making themselves more employable all round.”
The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Dan Thomas, said: “It’s been difficult this year for our residents and businesses to make the money they need to survive and thrive.
“We’d like to help in any way we can – whether it be through business grants, support for town centres, income support, or in funding a really innovative new idea. If you’re an entrepreneur, please do submit your idea, as maybe that money could be going to you.”
Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK, said: “Santander is committed to fostering entrepreneurship within UK universities and are delighted to once again be supporting Middlesex University and their entrepreneurial activities this year.”
Dr Simon Best, Programme Leader MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, who runs the Enterprise Development Hub, said: “Middlesex University has always had a strong community focus and being involved in the Start-up programme has enabled us to build on this focus.
“Our focus on developing the ability and maturity of the applicants has over the past six years seen a wide range of applicants come through and go on to set up businesses.
“This creates a closed loop for the university because the entrepreneurs we have helped then come back into the university and provide support to our students in the form of mentoring.”
MDX launches three exciting initiatives for student entrepreneurs during Global Entrepreneurship Week
Middlesex University is delighted to announce three exciting initiatives for student entrepreneurs at the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week.
The university will once again be running the Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition, the MDXcelerator programme for business start-ups and in conjunction with Santander Universities will offer grants and mentoring to budding entrepreneurs.
MDX has a proud history of supporting and encouraging students entrepreneurs with independent research from Hitachi Capital Invoice Finance revealing one in seven of our graduates own or manage their own business.
Our Enterprise Development Hub helps around 600 students every year and works with more than 70 local and national businesses.
Successful entrepreneurial alumni include famous names such as David Buttress who founded the app JustEat, Anne Boden, the CEO and founder of Starling Bank, and Tim Campbell MBE the first winner of the hit television show The Apprentice in 2005.
Over the next few months, MDX will be championing three initiatives with financial support from Santander to build on this tradition of enterprise and innovation:
Entrepreneurial Barnet: The Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition, 'What's Your Big Idea?' is a contest to promote and develop enterprise throughout Barnet and amongst the student population. It offers Middlesex University, Barnet and Southgate College students and local residents the opportunity to showcase their ideas, attend business development workshops and win funding to help grow their business. The competition is led by Middlesex University, London Borough of Barnet and Barnet and Southgate College with the generous support of Santander Universities. There is a cash prize fund of £10,000.
MDXcelerator. In its third consecutive year, MDXcelerator 2021 Start-up Support Programme for MDX students and alumni is opening its application portal once again to invite early stage entrepreneurs to submit their business ideas and sign up for a chance to become the our MDXcelerator 2021 winner. The programme is dedicated to supporting highly committed students and alumni from all backgrounds and a diverse spectrum of ideas and aspirations by offering a unique programme of masterclasses and workshops delivered by successful entrepreneurs; networking opportunities; 1:1 mentoring from successful business founders and the chance to pitch for seed-funding.
Start Up Grants. A micro business is a small business that is run part time and employs fewer than three people including the owner. With the help of Santander Universities, students will have the opportunity to set up and run a micro business that could one day become something bigger. Santander are offering five grants of £1,000 to the winners of this competition. The aim is to enable students to develop their business planning skills with the view of setting up and running a micro business.
With the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the global economy, it is more crucial than ever that students and graduates are equipped with entrepreneurial skills in an even more challenging jobs market.
Professor Nic Beech, Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University, said: “Universities are an incredible place to explore, test and develop new ideas and ventures
“This is important because at Middlesex, we believe that entrepreneurial action along with technological innovation and radical creativity have the power to effect social change and shape a better world
“Global Entrepreneurship Week is about encouraging people to explore their potential as an entrepreneur while helping build connections and collaborations.
“This links very closely to what we do here to develop our students’ entrepreneurial spirit to help them be better prepared for the world of work and contribute more to society.
“The same skills and characteristics required to be a successful entrepreneur are also in demand in the corporate world - so by building these skills, students are making themselves more employable all round.”
The Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Dan Thomas, said: “It’s been difficult this year for our residents and businesses to make the money they need to survive and thrive.
“We’d like to help in any way we can – whether it be through business grants, support for town centres, income support, or in funding a really innovative new idea. If you’re an entrepreneur, please do submit your idea, as maybe that money could be going to you.”
Matt Hutnell, Director of Santander Universities UK, said: “Santander is committed to fostering entrepreneurship within UK universities and are delighted to once again be supporting Middlesex University and their entrepreneurial activities this year.”
Dr Simon Best, Programme Leader MSc Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship, who runs the Enterprise Development Hub, said: “Middlesex University has always had a strong community focus and being involved in the Start-up programme has enabled us to build on this focus.
“Our focus on developing the ability and maturity of the applicants has over the past six years seen a wide range of applicants come through and go on to set up businesses.
“This creates a closed loop for the university because the entrepreneurs we have helped then come back into the university and provide support to our students in the form of mentoring.”
Register for the Entrepreneurial Barnet competition and express an interest in the MDXcelerator event and for more information about the Start Up grants email Dr Best on sbest@mdx.ac.uk.