Students as Entrepreneurs

Explore Ulster University’s Students as Entrepreneurs programme. From sparking ideas to scaling a business, gain skills, mentoring and confidence to succeed.

The Ideas Lab
The Start-Up Lab
The Scale-Up Lab
Timeline
Who Can Apply
What You’ll Gain
Entrepreneurs
Apply
Contact

Start your journey as a student entrepreneur

Build practical skills to inspire change and lead with impact.

Want to create your own career? Whether you’ve got a clear idea or just a passion for solving problems, Students as Entrepreneurs is your chance to build something that matters—something that could pay your salary and put you in charge of your future.

This three-part journey supports you from your first idea to launching and growing your own venture. You’ll get the tools, guidance, and confidence to make it happen:

The Ideas Lab – Create ideas that matter to you and the world around you.
The Start-up Lab – Shape your bright idea into a brilliant, workable venture.
The Scale-up Lab – Graduate with your own business and be your own boss.

Think It. Launch It. Scale It.

Information Webinars

Wednesday 19 November at 12pm

View programmes

The Ideas Lab

Creating Ideas that matter

Curious about creating something that matters? The Ideas Lab is designed for students who want to explore innovation, tackle real-world challenges, and spark ideas that could lead to a start-up or freelance career. You don’t need a business idea to join—just an open mind and a drive to make a difference. Through creative workshops, problem-solving sessions, and expert guidance, you’ll learn how to spot opportunities and turn them into something powerful.

Start with curiosity - apply now and find out where your idea takes you!

Timeline

Programme Dates:

Workshop 1: 10am to 12pm
- 26 November 2025 - DLD
- 27 November 2025 - Coleraine
- 28 November 2025 - Belfast
Workshop 2: 11am to 12.30pm
- 10 December 2025 - Virtual for all campuses
Workshop 3: 10am to 12pm
- 4 February 2026 - DLD
- 5 February 2026 - Coleraine
- 6 February 2026 - Belfast

Guest Entrepreneurs:

Belfast:
Linzi Rooney (Born & Bred)
Josh McAvoy (Aura Digital Studios)
Chris Shannon (Startium)
April Rose (April Rose Marketing)

Coleraine:
Darren Gardiner (Ground Espresso Bars, The Milk Parlour, LSFX)
Rabab Flack (Causeway Clear Ears)
Mark McGillion (Triex)

Derry~Londonderry:Jennifer Neff (Elemental Software, HighTop Hub, Angel Investor)
Clare Hamilton (The Influencer Hub)
Maebh O'Sullivan (Motivated by Maebh)
Jared Wilson (Sportbnk)

The Start-Up Lab

From bright idea to brilliant business!

Got a game-changing idea but not sure where to start? This programme is your launchpad. Designed for students with fresh, innovative thinking, we’ll help you shape your idea, test its potential, and get it ready to roll as a real business. Whether it’s a spark of genius or a researched concept, we’ll give you the tools, support, and confidence to take the first big step into start-up life.

Let’s turn your idea into something amazing—apply now for start-up success!

Timeline

Applications Open: 15 September 2025
Applications Close: 12 January 2026
Programme Starts (depending on campus): 4/5/6 February 2026
Programme Ends (depending on campus): 18/19/20 March 2026

See Programme Workshops & Key Dates below

The Scale-Up Lab

Graduate with your business!

Running a business while completing your final year? We see you. This programme is built for student entrepreneurs who are already trading and ready to take things up a notch. Whether you're running a business or freelancing, we’ll help you scale up, build a sustainable income, and get your business graduation-ready—so you can walk off campus and straight into full-time self-employment.

Ready to level up your business? Apply now and let’s grow your venture

Timeline

Book 1:1 appointments from 22 September 2025
Sustain & Scale Events from 8 December 2025
Programme Ends: 29 May 2026

See Programme Workshops & Key Dates below

Ideas Lab

Workshop 1 – In person

Derry~Londonderry – Wednesday 26 November - 10am to 12pm - MD_021
Coleraine – Thursday 27 November - 10am - 12pm - H220
Belfast – Friday 28 November - 10am - 12pm - BD_04_027

Workshop 2 – Virtual

Wednesday 10 December – 11am -12.30pm - via TEAMS

Workshop 3 – In person

Derry~Londonderry– Wednesday 4 February 26 - 10am - 12pm - MD_013
Coleraine– Thursday 5 February 26 - 10am - 12pm - Collab Lab
Belfast – Friday 6 February 26 - 10am - 12pm - BD_04_027

Start-Up Lab

Workshop 1 – In person

Derry~Londonderry – Wednesday 4 February - 2pm - 4pm - MD_013
Coleraine – Thursday 5 February - 2pm - 4pm - Collab Lab
Belfast – Friday 6 February - 2pm - 4pm - BD_04_027

Workshop 2 – Virtual

Wednesday 18 February – 11am -12.30pm - via TEAMS

Workshop 3 – In person

Derry~Londonderry– Wednesday 18 March 26 - 10am - 12pm - MD_013
Coleraine– Thursday 19 March 26 - 10am - 12pm - Collab Lab
Belfast – Friday 20 March 26 - 10am - 12pm - BD_04_027

Scale-Up Lab

One to One Mentoring

Throughout the academic year (in person or virtual)
Book Appointments with the Employability & Enterprise Consultant via Handshake (Choose option: Students as Entrepreneurs Mentoring)

Sustain and Scale Events

Attend a half-day business event, to include empowering sessions that have practical learning applications on sustaining and scaling your business in preparation for full time self-employment after graduation.

Meet Guest Entrepreneurs and NI Business Support partners to grow your network and develop your business further, leading to graduate entrepreneurial success.

Semester 1: Monday 8 December – 10am - 1pm Ormeau Labs, Belfast

Semester 2: TBC