Support for entrepreneurs
The Enterprise and Start-up Team can support you as you develop skills for business start-up, self-employment and innovation.
Alumni can access the following services for up to three years after graduating:
- networking opportunities
- guest speaker events
- skills and business start-up workshops
- one-to-one business advice
- access to free start-up office space (limited availability)
- access to internal and external mentors.
Spring Start-up Awards
Applications close on 11 March 2024
The Start-Up Awards, sponsored by Santander, offer Cardiff University graduates the opportunity to pitch their business ideas for generous cash prizes which you can use to grow your business. These awards will take place in person with an audience and will be conducted in a Dragon’s Den style. These awards will have a selection of categories open to those at idea, development and launch stages of their business.
This years' categories are:
Inspiring Idea Award
Are you in the early stages of wanting to start you own business? Do you have an idea that you are working on? Then these are the awards for you!
- £1,000 top prize
Innovative Development Award
Are you developing an idea but you aren’t ready to launch? Would more time and funding help you to get your business off the ground? Then these are the awards for you!- £3,000 top prize
Outstanding Founder Award
Have you launched a business in the last two years or are you due to launch before September 2024? Are you looking for some additional funding and recognition to help grow your business? Then these are the awards for you!
- £5,000 top prize
Inspired Engineers Award (only open to Engineering graduates)
Are you an engineer with an idea that could solve a problem or make a difference? Do you think your idea has the possibility to be a reality? Then these are the awards for you!- £1500 award for first place
- £1000 award for second place
- £500 award for third place
Individual and team applications welcome.
How to apply
If you are interested in applying for any of the above awards, sign up to the Start-up and freelance pathway on your Student Futures account and you will be sent the application form.