Enterprising Careers

Hands holding grain

Interested in making your passion more than your pastime? Want to work, but on your own terms? Keen to build a career around your beliefs, as well as your needs? 

The enterprise provision of the Careers & Employability Service is here to provide guidance, support and opportunities for students and graduates interested in freelancing and entrepreneurship.

We offer:

  • one-to-one triaging to help you find the right resources
  • a diverse programme of events encouraging entrepreneurship
  • initiatives for you to get your ideas out into the world

See below for more information.

Contact us here: enterprise@aber.ac.uk 

One-to-one support

  • The Enterprise team can offer one-to-one support via email, on Teams or in-person to provide you with useful next steps and key contacts going forward
  • If you are under 25, we can put you in contact with Big Ideas Wales, a Welsh Government initiative that supports young entrepreneurs
  • No matter your age, we can facilitate your involvement in the Business Wales Mentoring Programme 

Events programmes

Future Readiness Week 'work for yourself events' - 3-5th June

Three days of information & interactive workshops preparing you for your Freelance career/self-employment/business or social enterprise Startup.

Day 1 -  Wed June 3rd

1.00-2.00pm - Rhian Hayward - AberInnovation Chief Executive Officer, Keynote speaker, introducing three days of information & interactive workshops preparing you for your Freelance career/self-employment/business or social enterprise Startup. A dynamic kick-off exploring how research sparks real-world enterprise and bold new ventures.

2.00-3.00pm - Enterprise Competition Panel Q&A - A quick-fire guide to turning your ideas into an award‑ready business, social enterprise or freelance initiative.

3.30-4.30 - Research to Impact Panel - Join Matt Jarvis  Alice Vernon and Helen Whiteland The Big Science Project talk about their experiences. An honest look at how to turn your academic expertise into paid, purposeful freelance work.

Book here

 

Day 2 -  Thurs June 4th

10.00-11.00 - 'Envisioning Enterprise' - A creative session to help you map out what your future business could be, and how to make it a reality.  With speakers from: AberInstruments 

11.00-12.00 - 'Building a Brand & Digital Marketing' with Julia Forster

12.00-1.00 - Lunch & Networking - A welcoming space to make meaningful connections and explore collaboration opportunities.  Free lunch!

1.00-2.00 - 'Sustainability & Ethics' - A thoughtful conversation on creating a business that does good as well as performs well, with Porthi Aber 

2.30-3.30 - 'Write your business plan' - A step-by-step walkthrough showing how to turn loose ideas into a clear, convincing business plan - with Big Ideas Wales business adviser.

Book here

 

Day 3 - Thurs June 5th

10.00-11.00 - 'TAX & Bookkeeping' - A jargon-free overview, with Allchurch & Co demystifying the essentials every new business needs to stay protected and compliant. 

11.00-12.00 'Crafting a pitch' - A hands-on workshop to sharpen your message and pitch your idea with confidence - with Alex Hubbard.

12.00-1.00 - 'Chatting with a founder' John Dutton.  A candid conversation with someone who’s been there, built that, and has invaluable insights to share.

Book here

 

2026-27 Coming soon...

 

When:

Where: 

 

email: enterprise@aber.ac.uk

Competitions and initiatives

Enterprise Awards Competition 2026

Each summer, the university offers a series of awards for students looking to become self-employed and start their own businesses.

FAQ’s 

  • Who can apply? – Any registered student, or a group of ‘others’ which must include at least one registered student. (Life Long Learning students are also eligible). Anyone who graduated in the last 3 years 2024/25/26.
  • What business ideas are admissible? – Any ideas which are legal and decent. This can range from a self-employed Freelancer to a Ltd Company or Social Enterprise.
  • Can prospective applicants get help with the application? – Yes, we can refer you to our Big Ideas Wales/Business Wales business adviser who will guide you through the application process. We have a series of workshops as part of ‘Getting Future Ready’- Work for Yourself events - 3-5th June, which are designed to help you develop your business idea.  We would recommend that anyone thinking of entering the competition attend as many sessions as possible, see details on our events page.
  • Do I have a time limit to start the business? – No, there is no time limit to start, or spend the prize money should you win. However, the more developed your idea, the more likely you are to score well.  
  • If I win, do I need to be in contact with Careers & Employability Service – Yes, all winners will be asked to supply a 6month/12mnth update after the prize giving in September.
  • Do I need to prove where I spent the prize money? – No, we do not audit your expenditure, we will not require receipts/invoices for the prize money. 

Closing date 20.07.26!

Resources

Case Studies

Maurice Akpan

Being a part of the 2023 Enterprise competition gave me a valuable platform to reflect on my ideas and think more seriously about how to turn them into a real business.

The process helped me fine-tune my concept, and even now, as I work on developing my website http://mihydrosense.co.uk/ and the app I mentioned during the competition that will help me run my Hydroponic fruit and vegetable production from my phone.

The judges’ recommendations also gave me useful insight into self-improvement, looking for opportunities, and pushing my ideas further. I’d definitely encourage anyone with a business plan or idea to take part in the competition — it’s a great experience and a strong starting point.

Maurice Akpan

 

Jamila La Malfa Donaldson

As part of preparing my application for the ‘InventerPrize’ student enterprise award, I attended an online workshop delivered through the Enterprise programme. Coming from a STEM background, the workshop provided a valuable introduction to key business concepts and helped bridge the gap between technical expertise and entrepreneurship. The speakers were engaging and generous with their advice, and the follow-up conversations were particularly helpful in shaping and strengthening my application.

I went on to win the award, and the experience played an important role in developing the business skills and confidence that continue to support my business today.  

 

Harry Warne

The support from the Enterprise programme is helping me buy hardware to prototype my product, as well as pay myself to work on the project. Before the Enterprise programme, all I had was a crazy idea. Winning the award showed me that it was possible to take what might have always stayed a crazy idea and make it into something real in the world. I have a long road ahead, but I am so grateful to have gotten enthusiastic support at such an early stage.