Student StartUp support
Careers support
If you're looking to develop entrepreneurial skills, get startup advice or build a business, we can help you while you're at university and up to 5 years after you graduate.
We're here to help you get your idea off the ground or take your existing startup to the next level. We offer expert advice, workshops, co-working space, networking opportunities and lots of useful resources. We’re here to help at no cost to you and no loss of ownership; your idea is your idea.
We'll support you to create the next big thing, help others, or support yourself.
Getting started
If you already have an idea your first step is to discuss it with the team at one of our enterprise clinics. You don't need to book and can turn up on the day.
If you can't make it to an enterprise clinic you can email us at studentstartup@port.ac.uk to make alternative arrangements. We can arrange appointments via video call or over the phone if you're a distance learner or a graduate who doesn't live in Portsmouth.
Enterprise Clinics
Enterprise clinics
Wednesday 2.00pm-4.00pm
Friday 9.30am-11.30am
Careers and Employability Centre
28 Guildhall Walk
Portsmouth
PO1 2DD
No booking needed
Self-employment placements
You can take on a self-employed placement year (SEP) on most of our undergraduate courses. You'll do your placement between your second and third years of study, replacing the traditional placement year in industry with starting and running a business of your own. Your placement will support and develop your enterprise skills while you start and run your business or social enterprise.
Find out more about your self-employment placement options by visiting our enterprise clinic. Your Faculty's placement office can also give you advice, support and information on doing a self-employed placement year.
More about our startup services
Accelerating Women's Enterprise
Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE) is a project that combines research with training and mentoring for female entrepreneurs. You can join it if you have a business idea or have already set up your business.
The project aims to address the gender gap in entrepreneurship by helping women overcome the barriers they face when starting and growing businesses, such as age or social background, caring responsibilities, and a lack of relatable role models.
Register your interest in training or in being matched with a mentor. Find out more about AWE.
Innovation Connect
