Explore what's possible by joining our entrepreneurial community in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
Applications are now open for 2024.
Located at The Exchange, UoB Elevate is an incubator and business growth programme exclusive for University of Birmingham students and graduates. Through this space and support you can develop your own venture in an environment that fosters growth and enables possibilities beyond the established graduate route.
How UoB Elevate can help you
UoB Elevate is a multifaceted programme, consisting of workshops, events, mentoring and business planning. The programme offers a wide range of support, investment and networking opportunities through Business Engagement and the University of Birmingham alumni network. The Graham Turner Entrepreneurship Centre opened in September 2021 and there is a community of 50+ businesses working together to develop their business ventures.
How to Apply
Applications are now open! There are two parts to the application process. You will need to complete an online application form and if successful, you will be invited to pitch your idea to an independent panel.
Please note, the deadline for applications is Thursday 27 June 2024 at 17:00.
How UoB Elevate can help you
UoB Elevate
- Be part of a cohort of growth businesses
- Run your business from the city centre incubator within the iconic Exchange building
- Receive dedicated support and guidance to help you grow your business
- Support from entrepreneurial alumni network
- Access to regional business support schemes
- Access to alumni mentoring scheme
- Access to hiring student intern and consultancy schemes
- Access to funding schemes and investor networks
- Special offers and discounts from business service providers
UoB Elevate is open to University of Birmingham students and graduates from all disciplines. We welcome applications from all types of businesses providing the business can demonstrate traction - be it users, customers, revenue, investors, or key partners in place. This includes freelancers or those who are self-employed, and social enterprises. Where there is no evidence of any significant activity, high-potential early stage ideas are also considered.
- Elevate is only open to students and graduates from the University of Birmingham, with the following conditions:
- Businesses with at least 50% UoB student/graduate ownership of the business are preferred, exceptions to this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- International student/graduate founders are subject to having the correct visa in place before trading can commence.
- Student founders must have successfully completed their first year of their programme and currently be at least in the second year of their studies.
- For current students, Elevate can be considered in lieu of a placement or as a sabbatical year but only in agreement with your programme lead and prior approval from the School/College.
- Graduate founders who completed their degree in the last 5 years are also eligible to apply. Graduates who completed their degree more than five years ago will be considered on an exceptional basis.
Key dates - Cohort 4 (September 2024)
Our fourth cohort of businesses (Cohort 4) will gain access to our incubator programme from September 2024. Please note the key dates for the next application window.
- UoB Elevate Programme Application deadline - Thursday 27 June 2024 at 17:00
- Interviews - From 16 - 22 July 2024
(Interview bookings will be released on successful application)
- Incubation Onboarding - Wednesday 11 September 2024, Thursday 12 September 2024 and Friday 13 September 2024
£15,000 University of Birmingham Startup Scholarship
Finalists and graduates (up to five years after graduation) have an opportunity to apply for a £15,000 University of Birmingham Startup Scholarship. This scholarship is exclusive to UoB participants who are enrolled on the UoB Elevate programme. This is a one year scholarship - payments are made in three instalments over a one year period to help support participants in getting started and scaling the business idea.
Full Terms and Conditions about the scholarship on the document below:
About UoB Elevate
This programme aims to support UoB startups onto the next level with funding, incubation space, mentoring and expert support. UoB Elevate is the dedicated incubator and business growth programme designed to support University of Birmingham Student and Graduate entrepreneurs to the next level of their growth. You can learn more about our current resident start-ups on the UoB Elevate business webpage.
There is also the opportunity to apply for pre-accelerator funding to help your business. Visit our Start-Up Fund webpage to find out if you are eligible to claim £500 for your existing start-up costs.
Contact the B-Enterprising team
If you have any questions about UoB Elevate at The Exchange or the University of Birmingham Startup Scholarship, please email the B-Enterprising team at benterprising@contacts.bham.ac.uk.