Explore what's possible by joining our entrepreneurial community in the heart of Birmingham city centre.
Applications for 2023 are now closed. Our next application window opens in May 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.
University of Birmingham Elevate video (Video transcript)
How to Apply
Applications are currently closed. The application window opens again in May 2024. If you would like to express your interest in applying, please contact the B-Enterprising Team at benterprising@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
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. We typically accept:
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Businesses that can demonstrate traction (be it users, customers, revenue, investors and/or key partners). This includes freelancers or those who are self-employed.
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High-potential early stage ideas.
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Social enterprises or other community impact organisations that can demonstrate traction.
- International students who wish to start a business in the UK are welcome to apply. Further information on how we can support you with your start-up visa endorsement can be found on the B-Enterprising Start-Up Visa webpage.
Businesses with at least 50% UoB student/graduate ownership of the business will be preferred, lower UoB student/graduate ownership percentages will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Key dates - Cohort 4 (September 2024)
Our fourth cohort of businesses (Cohort 4) will gain access to our incubator programme from September 2024. Applications to join this cohort open in May 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, support and talent. 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.