START UP - business hub programme
Designed for students and Apprentices to help them set up their own business, the ‘START UP’ programme is about equipping all learners at The Sheffield College with the skills and attributes they will need in order for them to engage in regional start up business initiatives, with the support and development of entrepreneurial ideas.
What does it involve?
The START Up programme runs for 8 weeks and is available for students and Apprentices, from any campus, to participate in as part of their enrichment. The programme runs at both City and Hillsborough campus every academic year by the college Careers Team. Students will have access to enterprise and careers coaching from college Careers IAG Advisers and a wide network of new contacts through the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce.
Every week an expert guest speaker will be joining the groups to walk them through every step they need to go through to start up their own business. Students will be supported on their journey with business ideas generation, planning, sales and marketing strategies, networking, pitching their idea for investment and much more.
Topics covered on the programme:
Entrepreneurship: Turning your passion into money
Business planning and market research
The lowdown on legislation
Business finance
Building a brand persona
Marketing and sales strategies
Social media and networking
Pitch it!
By joining the START Up Business Hub Programme, students will:
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have the opportunity to access mentorships with enterprise experts
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be supported to enter into regional initiatives to potentially win funding for their business
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meet expert enterprise coaches and influential entrepreneurs
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become Elite Members of The Sheffield Chamber of Commerce Business and Enterprise Academy
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be equipped with the knowledge and support to START Up their own business
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have the opportunity to be selected to present their ideas to a panel of business experts in a Dragons’ Den style event at Sheffield Technology Parks
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have the opportunity to win £1000 worth of credit for Sheffield Technology Parks services along with mentoring and peer support through Sheffield Technology Parks’ Cooper Project for six months.
Students eligible
The START Up Business Hub Programme is available for students who are studying programmes at Level 2 or above, and Apprentices. There is also some flexibility for students who show commitment and are on programmes which aren't Level 2 or higher.
Dates:
There are two cohorts for this programme every academic year:
Group one - (City Campus cohort) - 13th January to 10th March 2027. Each session is held on Wednesdays at 3.00-4.30pm in the City Campus Lecture Theatre
Group two - (Hillsborough Campus cohort) - 28th January to 25th March 2027. each session is held on Thursdays at 2.00-3.30pm in the Hillsborough Campus Presentation Suite.
When signing up, students are committing to complete the full 8-week programme.