Starting out...
helping you take the first steps to a successful business
We are here to support and
encourage you to make the most of your time at York St John and to
seize the many new and exciting opportunities available to
you.
In addition to our Careers & Employability Team there is
expertise across the University and our students can benefit from a
wealth of advice and opportunities from staff who are dedicated to
developing relationships with employers, entrepreneurs and business
start-up experts. For students considering starting up their own
business we run workshops in developing business ideas, marketing,
finance and business planning. You can also bid for funding to
develop your business ideas and participate in enterprise fairs. We
are here to help our emerging entrepreneurs get their business
ideas off the ground!
Business start-up, incubation and growth
York St John Business School
Setting up a business might be an excellent option during your
studies or after graduation. If you are looking for support and
expertise, connect with York St John Business School staff.
Aspiring entrepreneurs have benefitted from participating in The
Acorns Start-Up Business Programme, where they meet with
like-minded people, learn from each other and welcome local
business people and professionals. Many of them are now successful
entrepreneurs.
In addition, the Business School’s partnerships with local,
national and international organisations enable students, staff and
alumni to exchange and share current knowledge and ideas. Don’t
take our word for it, see what others think of our high profile
quality business events:
“I learnt a lot more about
business and (more surprisingly) about myself - and gained some new
friends into the bargain!”
“The discussions gave me
ideas and inspiration for my studies particularly with regards to
marketing.”
DesignWorks
The DesignWorks business incubator in our Design Centre provides
support for up and coming businesses in the world of product
design. This on-campus facility offers free business mentoring and
advice, office space, academic expertise and advice in product
design and workshop access.
John Green Designs is one of the businesses which has
benefitted. John says: “The workshop space has all of the
cutting-edge equipment and technology required for me to make
prototypes of my designs before they are manufactured.” John
graduated in 2008 and has since won various awards, including two
prestigious prizes for his unique furniture design at the 2010
Homes & Gardens Classic Design Awards and highly commended in
the Grand Designs Product of the Year 2011.
The Phoenix Centre
The Phoenix Centre, now in its third year, was launched to
kick start the development and growth of a new generation of
creative and digital businesses for the region. The incubation
facility provides affordable space with access to specialist
technical facilities and sector-specific business support,
mentoring and training for new creative and IT-based ventures.
One of the current occupants is Orillo Productions, a film
production company of five graduates. Within a few months of
joining the centre, they went from part-time to full-time, working
internationally with clients such as the well-known clothing
retailer Jack Wills and the world’s oldest jeweller, Garrard. The
Phoenix Centre offers a friendly, supportive and mentoring
environment that encourages innovation and collaboration for those
looking to start their own business.