Find out how we can help you explore your entrepreneurial side, generate ideas and potentially launch and grow your venture.
Support and funding opportunities
Below is a summary of the entrepreneurship programme available to you at Sussex. There’s something for everyone, no matter what stage you’re at.
You can also book a place at our Intro to Entrepreneurship at Sussex Session (13 October 2026) to explore the world of entrepreneurship and discover the support and opportunities available to you at Sussex.
Ideas Lab
Being entrepreneurial can serve you no matter what path you take in life. This series of entry level sessions is designed to help students and recent graduates explore their entrepreneurial side, build the self-awareness and foundational skills needed to generate meaningful ideas, and move towards developing and testing a project or venture.
This innovative programme also helps students prepare for our entrepreneurship funding opportunities, including Bright Ideas and Startup Sussex.
Book now for Ideas Lab sessions via CareerHub:
Session 1: Start With You – Discover your strengths, motivations and entrepreneurial potential
3 November 2026
Session 2: Ideas Into Action – Generate and explore ideas that matter
10 November 2026
Go Freelance
Go Freelance provides inspiration and straightforward guidance to help students and recent graduates understand and take their first steps towards freelancing. It includes an introductory session, followed by the option to receive weekly action prompts to support you on your freelancing journey.
Session 1: Go Freelance 101 – Intro to Freelancing
1 December 2026
Bright Ideas
If you have an idea you’d like to explore you can apply for a development grant of £250-£500 to research, develop and test an early-stage concept.
It’s simple to apply and is an accessible and low-risk way to experiment, build confidence, and explore the potential of an idea before taking it further.
Session 1: Bright Ideas Fund – Info Session
8 December 2026
Startup Sussex
Startup Sussex is our annual, flagship opportunity for students and recent graduates to access up to £5,000 to help fund a business or social impact venture. Startup Sussex isn’t just a funding competition – it’s also an entrepreneurial community, and a series of free workshops.
Startup Sussex prioritises innovative ideas and viable business plans and rewards those who seek to become the ethical entrepreneurs of the future.
Previous winners include Lucy Hughes, founder of MarinaTex, and Gladys Mwamba, founder of Plastic4Change.
Startup Sussex will re-launch in Spring 2027
Changemaker Challenge
Changemaker Challenge is an initiative that empowers students and recent graduates to pro-actively shape the world around them – turning curiosity into impact.
With access to mentoring, resources, and up to £2,000 in funding, applying to this opportunity could help you bring a social or environmental impact project to life and become an active changemaker in your community.
Changemaker Challenge will re-launch in Spring 2027
Momentum Incubator
The Momentum Incubator is a phased programme designed to equip entrepreneurial students and graduates with the skills, resources, and funding to launch their ventures, run in partnership with Sussex Innovation.
It begins with workshops on lean start-up principles, followed by masterclasses that support the development of strategic skills, meet ups that foster peer support and mentoring to guide you as you launch. The programme culminates in a pitching day where participants can secure funding for their venture.
Alumni of the Momentum Incubator also receive a year of additional support, including further mentoring, investor access, networking, and co-working space – ensuring you have the momentum to succeed.
The Momentum Incubator will take on its next cohort in Summer 2027.
Please email entrepreneurship@sussex.ac.uk to express your interest.
Elevate Grant
The Elevate Grant exists to support active entrepreneurs at Sussex take their venture to the next level with up to £5,000 funding.
The Elevate Grant will open for applications in Spring 2027.
Currently limited to Momentum Incubator participants (see above).
Important: If you are an international student, you are encouraged to participate in our support activities and opportunities, but you cannot engage in business or self-employment activity due to visa restrictions. Find out more about what you can do during your studies and after graduation in the UK.