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LSBU launches UK’s first student business accelerator programme delivered by start-up experts and entrepreneurs
LSBU launches Rocket, the UK's first student business accelerator scheme designed and delivered in collaboration with leading figures in the start-up communityLondon South Bank University (LSBU) has partnered with university start-up specialists Start Up Republic to launch LSBU Rocket, the UK's first student business accelerator scheme designed and delivered in collaboration with leading figures in the start-up community.
By teaming up with Start Up Republic, LSBU is providing £15,000 worth of start-up support to seven LSBU student and graduate businesses accepted onto the programme.
The seven start-up businesses accepted onto the programme will receive six months of intensive support through mentoring and workshops delivered by investors, business experts and successful entrepreneurs, such as the founder of 9 Others Matthew Stafford, MD of Sales Talent Spotters Paul Owen, and Director and CEO of MondoTV Benjamin Minot. The start-ups will also receive seed funding and office space at LSBU's Clarence Centre for Enterprise and Innovation.
"By partnering with Start Up Republic to deliver the new Rocket programme, we are helping some of LSBU's most enterprising students access the most relevant expertise and guidance from successful entrepreneurs and industry experts. This scheme is a great opportunity for our Rocketeers to get their businesses to really take off," said Linsey Cole, Head of Student Enterprise at LSBU.
The range of businesses on LSBU Rocket include a music discovery app, an education gaming company, a subscription box service showcasing ethical brands and an online careers platform. The LSBU Rocketeers come from a variety of academic backgrounds, such as creative writing, arts management, sound design, architecture and games cultures.
"I feel privileged to have done my MSc at a university that is creating such fantastic opportunities. As a social entrepreneur, the learning, investment and networking I will get from Rocket will help me to not only grow my business, but help me make a greater impact," said Lianne Howard-Dace, MSc Management in Civil Society graduate and Founder of This GOOD Box.
"We have started the journey with the LSBU Rocket programme and are excited to be part of the team that will help build LSBU into one of the leading universities in the UK for entrepreneurship," said Chris Locke, Founder of Start Up Republic.
LSBU Rocket was officially launched at Runway East on London's Silicon Roundabout. The programme runs from March to July and culminates in a demo day, where the seven start-ups will present their businesses to a room of investors for feedback and potential investment.