Whether students want to find out more about starting a business or have an idea they would like to develop further, CEO can provide endless free inspiration, knowledge, resources and support.
CEO can help students, staff or graduates who are in the early stages of developing their idea or who have already started a business and are after a helping hand.
Each year CEO interacts with around 1,300 students across all of the faculties. It runs a variety of programmes that include:
• Start-up Sessions – these provide vital information and knowledge that may be crucial in making a difference to an idea. The hour-long sessions include how to develop a business plan, marketing, protecting your idea and how to set up.
• Start-up Surgery – the Start-up Surgery is a drop in opportunity which can help with any aspect of the start-up process.
• Business Venture Competition (BVC) – The BVC is CEO’s annual competition where those with string ideas can win a share of £1000’s worth of start-up related prizes.
• Start-up bursaries – start-up bursaries offer students the chance to pitch for cash to get their idea off the ground.
• Enterprise Inc – Enterprise Inc is a project, which enables students or recent graduates to start or run a business during their degree or immediately after graduation. They receive a cash bursary of £2,490, access to desk space at the Innovation Centre, a dedicated mentor and access to workshops and support events (refer to the UE showcase about Enterprise Inc. for contact details).
Who can ask for help?
CEO helps any student, staff member or graduate of De Montfort University.
For further details about CEO please contact us on:
T: 0116 2078914
E: ceo@dmu.ac.uk
Website: http://www.dmu.ac.uk/ceo
Here are some example of businesses that CEO has helped to set up:
Rachael Smith Illustration is a design and illustration service developed by Fine Art graduate Rachael Smith.
Rachael won first prize for her idea at the Business Venture Competition 2009 and was also awarded one of two Creative Leicestershire bursary awards. With a place on the Enterprise Inc program Rachael would now like to develop and promote the business to secure further clients in the editorial sector. Rachel says: “I am thrilled to have won two awards at the Business Venture Competition. The support I have received from Campus Enterprise Opportunities has really helped me to follow my dream and develop my business idea further. I am really excited about my future as an illustrator and the new platforms I will be able to take my work to.’
Owain Griffiths developed Head and Griffiths, an online bespoke tailor during his Business Management and Enterprise degree.
Owain has gained a place on the Enterprise Inc programme. The help and support he will receive will allow him to move the business, developing the brand image and to start trading. Owen says: ‘I am looking forward to making the most of the great opportunities that the Enterprise Inc program will offer me and really taking the business forward”
Kindred Sole is a women’s online footwear retailer providing an extensive range of the finest designs, crafted from premium materials and sourced from around the world.
After graduating from fashion retail buying Beth Widdowson and Elizabeth Leary wanted to develop Kindred Sole into a viable business. They obtained a place on the Enterprise Inc programme and now work with a mentor on a one-to-one basis to grow their business.
Beth says: "The opportunities that Campus Enterprise Opportunities has offered Kindred Sole have already been highly beneficial to the development of the company. The support, funding and space that is available are crucial to the successful beginnings of Kindred Sole. As an online footwear retailer we have found that the expertise that is on offer will help our business flourish."
abDance, established by Alison Bacon, offers bespoke dance teaching to schools and sports centres to complement their existing activities. The unique selling proposition of abDance is that almost any theme can be incorporated into dance.
Alison worked with Campus Enterprise Opportunities over several months to develop her initial idea into a business and the hard work paid off as she won third prize in the Business Venture Competition 2009. She says: "Without the help and support of Campus Enterprise Opportunities, abDance would not be where it is today. The advice and encouragement that I have received over the past few months from Campus Enterprise Opportunities, not only through the useful events and activities but also on a one to one basis has really enabled me to develop my business"