The South Bank Works Incubator Programme is a structured set of classes, mentoring, peer-support, networking, and more! The incubator is designed to help 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.
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SOUTH BANK WORKS INCUBATOR
Join a cohort of founders and freelancers with the space, structure, and support to work on your idea.
Read more Read moreStart-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 help! Drop by to get support, resources, tools, and more!
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.
Apply to join the 2027 South Bank Works incubator programme, connect with other opportunities, and win funding to support your venture.
Applications close on Wednesday, 9 December 2026.
£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
January - April 2027 | |
|---|---|
| Week | Theme |
Week 1 | South Bank Works 2027 Cohort Induction Meet the South Bank Works team of staff, Entrepeneurs-in-Residence, and your peers while learning more about the programme, schedule, support, and platform for you to reach your goals. |
Week 2 | From Problem to Solution: Building What Customers Need Define your business idea as a problem being solved. Identify your target customer. Explain how your idea solves the identified problem and creates value. |
Week 3 | Know Your Market, Know Your Competition Learn the tools and methodology to assess your market potential. Validate your market size and assumptions. |
Week 4 | Building a Business Model That Works Understand different business models and identify which works best for your business. Explore pricing strategies and revenue models. |
Week 5 | AI-Powered Digital Marketing Strategies to Reach Your Market Craft your marketing strategy including your target customers, key marketing channels,and clear messages. Explore how AI tools can support your content and campaign planning. |
Week 6 | Protecting Your Ideas: Intellectual Property Essentials Gain knowledge on the legal documents and information needed for your business, like non-disclosure agreements, employment contracts, partnership agreements, and service agreements. |
Week 7 | Managing Your Business Finances Calculate gross margins, net margins, and unit economics. Forcast 1 year, 3 year, and 5 years ahead. Finish a Business Model Canvas. |
Week 8 | Planning Your Roadmap and Go-to-Market Strategy Develop a one-page roadmap outlining key business milestones and immediate next steps for bringing your product or service to market. |
Week 9 | Pitch with Confidence: Winning Over Investors and Customers Create a clear and impactful message and a storytelling pitch. Master delivery and presentation skills. |
Week 10 | Funding Your Startup: Finding and Securing Investment Learn about different investment types and how to choose the appropriate funding for your business. Communicate scalability and business evolution to investors. |
South Bank Works Demo Day | Win funding and awards! Present your idea to a wider audience of industry experts, academics, founders, and your supporters. |
Ongoing | Personalised Support and Appointments with Industry Experts and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Check-ins with LSBU Start-Up Manager. |
April 2027 - January 2028 | |
|---|---|
| Week | Theme |
Ongoing | Personalised Support and Appointments. Setting and Check-in on Your Milestones and Goals. |
MORE MASTERCLASSES, EVENTS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
SOUTH BANK WORKS FAQS
Who is this programme for? Who can apply?
All LSBU students and alums with a business or 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 10-week programme with additional support designed to guide 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 starters@lsbu.ac.uk.
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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 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/
Eagle Labs Female Founder Accelerator powered by AccelerateHer
With nine weeks of masterclasses and access to mentoring, the Female Founder Accelerator supports 100 female founders to level the playing field and support women poised for business growth.
Cost: Free
Deadline: Friday, 12 June, 2026
Benefits: Nine weeks of masterclasses covering subjects like marketing strategies, sales and negotiation, financial management and building a team. Plus, one-to-one mentoring, accountability groups, in-person community networking, and the ability to connect with a community of like-minded female founders.
Eligibility: This accelerator is designed for ventures beyond the idea stage:
- You’ve created or are close to creating your minimal viable product (MVP) (you have built a minimum viable product and are gathering user feedback to refine your offering)
- You’re ready to bring your product to market or have already
- You have ambitions to scale in the next 12 to 18 months
- You operate within key technology and innovation sectors.
For more information, please visit https://labs.uk.barclays/what-we-offer/our-programmes/female-founder-accelerator/.
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 starters@lsbu.ac.uk
