University News Last updated 13 September 2022
Student and graduate entrepreneurs are set to boost their business skills, thanks to a new enterprise hub launched by Birmingham City University (BCU).
Located on the ground floor of the iconic Millennium Point building, the University’s new STEAMhouse Pre-Incubator offers a supportive environment, helping turn young entrepreneurs’ business ideas into reality.
The Pre-Incubator encourages entrepreneurs to launch a future business venture, as well as foster fresh opportunities, new partnerships, and exciting business collaborations.
The new business hub forms part of BCU’s STEAM offering, which places the arts at the centre of traditional STEM subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths to increase innovation.
“It’s a place where our students and graduates can transition into the world of work and make a positive contribution to the city.”
Undergraduate students will have access to hands-on workshops, enterprise programmes, and tailored business advice. They can also utilise the hot desks, network with professionals and gain invaluable guidance from business support experts.
Master’s, PhD and final year undergraduate students, along with BCU graduates who finished their studies in the last 18 months, can enrol on the Pre-Incubator’s STEAMhouse Hatchery programme.
The Hatchery programme, which launched this summer, offers participants the chance to earn a £10,000 prize to help launch their own business, arriving at an opportune time with UK university graduates starting 4,000 new businesses each year.
“The STEAMhouse Pre-Incubator will give them lifelong skills to transform themselves and open their minds to a range of future employment options.
“We are dedicated to ensuring our students and graduates can access and utilise spaces such as the Pre-Incubator, as well as connect with useful networks and experienced entrepreneurs to build a network of contacts that can support them throughout their life.”
International students and graduates with a viable business idea have the opportunity to be awarded a Startup Visa from the Pre-Incubator, allowing them to stay or return to the UK for up to two years as they set up and run their new business.
All students and graduates will also have access to The Birmingham Skills for Enterprise and Employability Network (BSEEN) which offers a package of intensive start-up support.
The Pre-Incubator reflects BCU’s continued commitment to employability, which has resulted in 97.4% of alumni working or progressing into further study within six months of graduating.
It also builds on BCU’s mission to be the university for Birmingham, enabling personal transformation and ensuring students and graduates have the skills and support to make a positive contribution to the region and beyond.