Experience Sussex!

Entrepreneurship is the process of setting up a business. It can also mean becoming a freelancer or developing a social enterprise. It is an opportunity for you to carve your own path, building skills and gaining valuable work experience along the way.

Sussex can support you from the early stages of developing an idea, all the way through to launching and scaling your venture. You can book a one-to-one appointment with a member of the Entrepreneurship team to discuss your ideas and get support.

There are also lots of workshops, events and services for those who simply want to gain skills that employers look for, like problem-solving, team-work, creative thinking and pitching ideas.

Plus, there are a number of funding opportunities available to Sussex students, including our Startup Sussex competition, which recently saw Artificial Intelligence and Adaptive Systems MSc student Dr Shuaib Karmani win £10,000 to move forward with his business.

Looking to take your startup or social enterprise to the next level?

The Summer Accelerator is a free six-week course, running from Monday 3 June to Friday 12 July, designed to provide you with detailed and actionable guidance to take your business or social enterprise to the next level. There are only 25 spaces available on this programme – find out more and apply.

If you are a second, third, or final-year student who is looking to grow their skills and experience working for a startup, apply to become a Startup Intern. The roles are paid, the hours are flexible, and your skills are matched to a diverse range of Sussex student ventures.

Hear more about entrepreneurship from a Sussex student

Sussex student and Chevening Scholar, Senamile, has shared her experience taking part in the entrepreneurship programme, where she created a sustainable African fashion business. Watch her video below.

Want to find out more? Check out the entrepreneurship page on the Student Hub.

Video transcript

[Senamile talking to camera] Hi everyone. My name is Senamile Sishi, studying a Masters in Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Sussex.

I'm part of the Entrepreneurship Programme. My idea is a sustainable African fashion brand that produces quality African fashion using premium hemp fabric and responsibly sourced cotton.

We use cutting edge technologies such as waterless dyes to ensure sustainability and we bring sustainability back in fashion.

I have received a lot of support from the University of Sussex Entrepreneurship Team.

Firstly, the Ideas Lab workshops were very helpful. They highlighted the fundamentals that you need to think about before starting a business.

Secondly, I had the opportunity to meet one-on-one with one of the entrepreneurs-in-residence. This helped me refine my idea and deal with specific issues that I was facing, guided by an experienced entrepreneur.

There were also a few guiding documents that assisted me with the thinking process, such as the twenty-minute business plan.

The African fashion industry is amongst the most polluting industries in Africa, contributing to approximately 10% of emissions and about 20% of waste water production.

My startup seeks to drastically reduce the carbon footprint of fashion manufacturing, and water utilisation. This contributes to SDG 1, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13.

I've also gained several skills through this program, including business management, communication skills, strategic thinking and planning skills, leadership and networking skills only to name a few. I can include these in my CV and improve my candidacy when applying for jobs.

I've also created a lot of meaningful connections with like-minded people, and this program has significantly built my confidence.

To prospective students thinking about getting involved in the Entrepreneurship Programme at Sussex. I definitely say go for it. You have nothing to lose, and absolutely everything to gain.

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