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This free 6-week programme will help you start to turn an idea or passion into a viable business or social enterprise. You'll also have the chance to win a share of £3,000.
Who it’s for
This programme is for UCL students who are new to entrepreneurship or want to refine their knowledge.
Staff, research associates and recent graduates (within 2 years of graduating) may also take part but will not be able to win the prize money.
You don’t need any experience or a business idea. If you don’t already have an idea to explore, the first session will help you come up with an idea to work on for the rest of the programme. Or you can attend our ideation workshop which specifically focuses on techniques to generate and refine business ideas.
Businesses already in the Hatchery incubator or endorsed for a Start-up or Innovator visa cannot attend.
What you’ll learn
The programme will help you:
- develop confidence in your idea
- explore and test your idea to ensure it's realistic
- understand who your customers and stakeholders are
- understand the steps to getting your service or product to your customers
- understand business basic finance, including cost structures and revenue streams
- perform market research
- practise and improve your business pitching skills
What to expect
The course runs over 6 weeks with sessions each Tuesday or Wednesday evening from 4pm to 6.30pm.
In the interactive, activity-based sessions, you’ll work through each section of the Business Model Canvas to stress-test your idea, and ultimately create a final pitch deck and presentation of your work.
You’ll receive a certificate of completion and learn about opportunities for developing your idea further.
Pitching competition
In the final session, you'll have the chance to take part in a pitching competition. It’s not compulsory but it’s a great way to practise your presentation skills.
To qualify you’ll need to:
- attend 5 out of 6 sessions
- show how you’ve explored and tested your idea
While everyone on the programme is welcome to take part in the competition, only students are eligible to win prize money. If you're part of a team, you'll only be able to win any prize money if the lead applicant is a UCL student.
About the tutor
Kaitlin Fritz is an award-winning entrepreneur, enterprise educator and business coach who has supported over 800 startup founders worldwide. With her founder-first approach, she's built entrepreneurship programs globally, guest lectured at universities in the UK and abroad, and coached ventures from idea stage to Series A. She's been honoured by Forbes 30 Under 30, Great British Entrepreneur Awards, and Startups Magazine, and shares her insights on the entrepreneurial journey with her podcast Everyday Entrepreneurship.
Accessibility
If there is anything we can do to make this programme more accessible for you, please let us know by emailing entrepreneurship@ucl.ac.uk
Dates and times
This programme is running twice in term 1, one course will be held at UCL BaseKX (near King's Cross) and the other at UCL East. The final session for both courses will be at BaseKX.
UCL BaseKX session dates:
- Wednesday, 23 October 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 30 October 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 6 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 20 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 27 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
UCL East session dates:
- Tuesday, 22 October 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Tuesday, 29 October 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Tuesday, 5 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Tuesday, 12 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Tuesday, 19 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm
- Wednesday, 27 November 2024, 4pm to 6:30pm - this session will be held at UCL BaseKX
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Location
UCL BaseKX, 103c Camley Street, London N1C 4PF
Filming and photography takes place at our events for promotional purposes. The photographs and recordings will appear on our website and social media channels. If you do not wish to be filmed or photographed, please let a member of staff know on arrival.
Read our privacy notice to understand how UCL Innovation & Enterprise will deal with your personal data.
UCL Innovation & Enterprise reserves the right to make changes to the programme, location and/or speakers without prior notice. Such alterations are occasionally necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.