The Student and Graduate Enterprise team have significant experience in skill development, supporting start ups and have helped several of Northumbria’s student and graduate businesses to start and grow. You may be a current student or recent graduate ready to start-up and be your own boss or want to gain enterprise skills, whatever your reason, apply for your place.
We are looking for individuals who are ready to develop key skills or are considering self-employment. If you are accepted onto the workshop series we'll expect you to attend the majority of workshops and also engage in support from the Student and Graduate Enterprise team, by attending more events or business/freelancing start up.
Places are limited and attendance to majority of sessions is crucial, you will receive support from the Student and Graduate Enterprise team.
You will receive a message the day before the workshops as a reminder of the time and location
This engaging five-part workshop series is designed to help you unlock your enterprise mindset, discover new opportunities, and develop practical skills for future ventures or careers. Each session builds confidence and clarity as you explore:
Self-awareness and goal setting – Understand your values, motivations, and how to network with purpose.
Idea generation and business modelling – Learn creative techniques and map out business concepts using the Business Model Canvas.
Value and sustainability – Explore how to create meaningful, sustainable value using global frameworks.
Resilience in enterprise – Hear from real start-up founders and learn how to adapt, reflect, and reset your goals. Understanding your market and customer – Dive into customer personas, research tools, and competitor mapping to shape stronger propositions.
Whether you're thinking of launching your own venture or simply want to develop key skills for today’s job market, Spark. will help you take your first step with confidence.
Ready to turn your ideas into action? The five-week Shape. Programme is designed for students and graduates looking to take the next step in their enterprise journey. Whether you're refining a business concept or building a personal brand, this practical five-part series will help you develop the tools, confidence, and clarity to bring your ambitions to life.
Led by experts in their fields, each session focuses on a key area of start-up development:
Marketing, Branding & Communications – Craft your story, define your brand, and learn how to promote your venture through social media and digital channels.
Financial Literacy & Funding – Get to grips with business finance, explore funding options, and take part in an interactive budgeting challenge.
Legal & Intellectual Property – Understand legal structures, contracts, and how to protect your ideas.
Pitching Workshop – Build a compelling pitch and gain practical feedback to sharpen your delivery.
Pitch Day & Reflection – Present your idea to a panel for funding, and reflect through peer and self-evaluation.
Whether you're preparing to launch or just exploring possibilities, Shape. will give you the strategic edge to move forward with confidence and clarity.
For the Shape. Programme you must have completed your market research and be looking to launch your business.
Our Scale. programme is currently being developed, this is for those businesses that have started trading.
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International students may take part in the programmes but due to visa restrictions you cannot receive funding.
Applications for each of our Trailblaze programmes will open in semester one.
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