The South Bank Works Incubator Programme is a structured set of classes, mentoring, peer-support, networking, and more! The incubator is arranged around three different sprints to validate (test your idea and understand it’s viability), build (understand how to build the business or freelancing operations), and grow (learn more about the investment landscape). It’s FREE!
South Bank Works
Validate your idea, build your business, and grow as an entrepreneur.Work. Innovate. Excel.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES MORE OPPORTUNITIES
SOUTH BANK WORKS INCUBATOR
Express your interest in joining a cohort of founders and freelancers with the space, structure, and support to work on your idea.
Start-Up Funding
£500 for your new business – on us. Get reimbursed for expenses.
Read more Read moreHost a Stall
Sell your product or get feedback from users. Express your interest.
Read more Read moreHelp & Support
You bring the idea; we’ll bring the support! Book a 1-2-1 appointment.
Read more Read moreValidate, Build, and Grow
Excel as a founder, freelancer, side hustler, and dreamer with South Bank Works.
LSBU's Incubator Programme offers expert-led masterclasses, personalised mentoring, a vibrant community, and a central co-working space to energise your progress.
The application deadline to join the 2024/2025 cohort has passed. But you can express your interest. Complete the form to connect with us and to learn about opportunities to onboard into the programme.
£15K Value
Free For You!
The South Bank Works Incubator Programme offers £15,000 worth of structure, support, and space so you can achieve your milestones...for FREE!
💡 £7K/Year of Programme and Personal Support, Including Masterclasses, 1-2-1 Expert Mentoring, and Peer-Lead Masterminds
🏢 £7K/Year Use of Co-Working Space and Meeting Rooms in Central London
WHAT YOU GET
Validate Sprint (October - December 2025) | |
|---|---|
| Week | Theme |
Introduction | Programme Induction |
Week 1 | Identifying the Problem |
Week 2 | Validating the Problem with Customers |
Week 3 | Defining Your Solution |
Week 4 | Validating Your Market Size |
Week 5 | Analysing Your Competitors and Defining Your Competitive Advantage |
Week 6 | Analysis of Your Competitive Advantages and Barriers to Entry |
Week 7 | Communicating Your Solution Visually. |
Week 8 | Adoption and Willingness to Pay for Your Solution |
Week 9 | Business Models |
Week 10 | Internal Demo Day |
Ongoing | Weekly Peer-Supported Mastermind Sessions. |
Build Sprint (January - April 2026) | |
|---|---|
| Week | Theme |
Week 11 | Unit Economics Fundamentals |
Week 12 | Intellectual Property and Protecting Your Innovation |
Week 13 | Tax Accounts and Legal Entities |
Week 14 | Building Your Product Roadmap |
Week 15 | Digital Marketing Strategies to Reach Your Market |
Week 16 | Creating a Go-to-Market Strategy |
Week 17 | Scale Up Strategies and Measuring Success |
Week 18 | Preparing Your Pitch Deck |
Week 19 | Funding Your Product |
Week 20 | Demo Day |
Week 21 | Demo Day Review |
Ongoing | Weekly Peer-Supported Mastermind Sessions. |
Grow Sprint (July 2026 - July 2027) | |
|---|---|
| Week | Theme |
Ongoing | Personalised Support and Appointments with Industry Experts and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. |
Download the South Bank Works Brochure PDF
Learn more about Masterclasses, Events, and Opportunities at LSBU
What's On
Find a range of LSBU events taking place on campus or overseas including open days, s...
InSight - LSBU Photography Degree Show
A free exhibition of works by LSBU photography students held at the Embassy Tea Galle...
16 May 2025
Pleasures of the Damned by Alex McSweeney
Adapted from George Gissing’s novel THE NETHER WORLD, a new play written and directed...
23 May 2025
Our Country's Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker
Australia 1789, a ramshackle colony of recently transported convicts and their gaoler...
04 June 2025
South Bank Ignite Final and Festival
Celebrate LSBU founders, freelancers, innovators, social activists, and idea generato...
06 June 2025
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot by Stephen Adly Guirgis
Directed by Aiden Condron
17 June 2025
TikTok LIVE x LSBU: The Next Wave of Social Entrepreneurs
Get in on the TikTok revenue game!
18 June 2025
Summer Side Hustle Sprint
Got £100 and an idea? Let's see what you can do with it. ⚡🚀
19 June 2025
Freelancing Fundamentals
Thinking of going freelance? Make sure you're set up for success, ££, and fun!
25 June 2025
How to Communicate and Negotiate Effectively
Say it right, stay true to your idea, and make every conversation count. 💬
30 June 2025
From Vision to Reality: Overcoming Founder Bias through Customer-Centred Innovation
Are you starting a business, a freelance offer, a product, or a service that people a...
Who is this programme for? Who can apply?
All LSBU students and alums with a business or developed business idea are invited to apply to the South Bank Works Incubator Programme.
What type of business do I have to have to join this programme?
The South Bank Works Incubator is open to all types of businesses and entrepreneurs! You may be a registered limited company, sole trader, freelancer, charity, or non-profit…just to name a few.
How will the South Bank Works Incubator Programme help me or my business?
The South Bank Works Incubator is a year-long programme to support your business idea development, help you gain customers, and elevate your enterprise.
The programme will reserve your time, give you space, and meet with like-minded innovators. Work towards personalised milestones to see your business idea grow. Network with other start-up founders, freelancers, social entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurially minded individuals who are also dedicated to your success.
What do I get from the South Bank Works Incubator Programme?
The South Bank Works Incubator Programme provides a number of benefits including:
- Access to mentoring and coaching towards your personalised milestones and goals.
- Exclusive masterclasses to inform, educate, and challenge you on start-up business knowledge.
- Support from peers in the mastermind sessions, where you will speak to your goals, challenges, and problems – and look for next steps to develop together.
- Co-working space at the Clarence Centre, on the LSBU Southwark campus
- Networking and community of like-minded entrepreneurs
- Opportunities for start-up funding.
- And more….
What do I need to do to apply for the South Bank Works Incubator?
To apply, please complete the application form and share information about your business, your existing skills, and what you hope to gain from a year-long programme. You will need to provide details including:
- Your information, including contact details,
- Your UK business registration number (if registered) or unique tax reference (UTR) number if you are self-employed,
- A description of your idea or business; help us understand the problem you are solving and how,
- Information about your current business set-up and customers,
- The business and professional skills you hope to gain in a year.
How do I get help applying or answering more questions about South Bank Works Incubator?
We are fully committed to removing barriers for people with additional needs, disability, learning differences, or medical conditions. If you need help with your application, please reach out to the us. If you have additional questions, please email studententerprise@lsbu.ac.uk.
Product of South Bank Marketplace
Sell your products or services. Reach new customers. Get feedback or do user testing. All from your Product of South Bank Marketplace stall.
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More Accelerator and Incubator Opportunities
Accelerators and incubators offer you a chance to test your idea, network with other innovators and industry experts, gather feedback on your business, build entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and more. Below are a few external accelerators and incubators opportunities for the LSBU students, alums, staff, and/or community members. Stay up-to-date on all opportunities by connecting with us on LinkedIn.
EWA Accelerator
European Women’s Association is dedicated to advancing women's economic empowerment; the EWA Accelerator helps support female entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and community.
Cost: Free
Benefits: The two-month intensive structure is designed to equip participants with essential skills in data rooms, financial modelling, and pitch deck creation. Through immersive experiences, personalized feedback, and live pitch rehearsals, startups emerge prepared to navigate the complexities of fundraising and secure future funding opportunities.
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for the program:
- Include female founders or ventures with at least two founders, one of whom is a female co-founder.
- Showcase a tech-driven startup with innovative agnostic solutions, incl. AI, Sustainability, or Blockchain.
- Possess a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and demonstrate readiness for fundraising, ranging from Seed to Round A.
- Have plans to raise capital within the next 6 to 9 months.
- Exhibit a Minimum Viable Team with relevant industry expertise.
- Advanced proficiency in the English language
- Show thoughtful preparation of initial investment documents.
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://ewaaccelerator.com/
Health Innovation Network - Accelerating Femtech
This 10-week support programme supports small / medium-sized companies (SMEs), university spinouts and academic entrepreneurs from across the UK that have early-stage innovations addressing current challenges in women’s health.
Cost: Free
Benefits: The programme will provide companies with bespoke support through expert-led workshops and mentoring while also supporting them to develop their product offering, understand the challenges in the women’s health space, grow entrepreneurship skills and engage with key stakeholders. Innovators will also prepare for a special closed call funding opportunity.
Eligibility: Applicants must be an early-stage UK small / medium-sized companies (SMEs), university spinouts, or academic entrepreneurs working to address a current challenge in women’s health.
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/projects/accelerating-femtech/
Connect with South Bank Starters
South Bank Starters is here to guide, support, inspire, and motivate you. Find ways to connect with the team and your community of entrepreneurial minded individuals. You can email us at studententerprise@lsbu.ac.uk.
