Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

A word cloud illustrating the use of enterprise terminology in the RDF – link to word doc.

The terms enterprise and entrepreneurship can be confusing, often associated with starting a business venture however, they simply refer to the generation and application of ideas to address practical situations (QAA definitions). They aren’t so much skills, but rather a collection attributes - in fact there are 38 descriptors within the Researcher Development Framework which relate to enterprise.

Accessible version of the enterprise word cloud image (Word - 14KB).

The very act of deciding to undertake a postgraduate research degree demonstrates enterprise skills and attributes such as having an inquiring mind, enthusiasm and perseverance.

You have had to identify a gap or need or problem which you are addressing through your research, therefore you have generated an idea, spotted an opportunity and worked out a strategy to explore it.

Case Study: PGR Researchers Frankie Lewns and Paris Lalousis, founders of Bloomwise

No matter what career you have in mind, enterprise skills will help you. For a career in academia, enterprise skills will help you have impact with your research – opening up options such as commercialisation, spin-out, licensing, participatory research and successful grant applications. For others within the UoB PGR community they are using their skills to creating new opportunities , opening up different futures for themselves.

University of Birmingham start-up community (Video transcript)

Here's how we can help you and how you can get involved

Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School (PESS)

The Postgraduate Enterprise Summer School (PESS) is an intensive week-long programme where postgraduate researchers work together in small inter-disciplinary teams to create an innovative business solution to solve a real-life strategy challenge being faced by the industry partner.

Click here for more information on PESS.

Virtual Consultancy Challenge

The Virtual Consultancy Challenge is a completely online flexible part-time programme which runs for three-four months each year. Working in an inter-disciplinary team with fellow postgraduate researchers you will draw on your expertise to solve a real-life challenge for your charity sector client. Find out more about the Virtual Consultancy Challenge.

Business start-up advice

If you have started a business, have an idea for a business (including consultancy) or are interested in commercialising your research you can book a Business Start-Up Advice appointment with the B-Enterprising Team.

Click here for more information about Business Start-Up Advice appointments.

B-Enterprising

B-Enterprising is a hub of enterprise and entrepreneurship support based within Careers Network. The team offer a range of programmes, start-up training, freelance workshops, online tools, funding and more.

You can get everything you need from the B-Enterprising Team to help you develop enterprise skills, commercialise your research or start your own business or consultancy.

Visit the B-Enterprising website

PG Skills Series

This series of live online interactive workshops and asynchronous resources covers the key skills employers tell us they are looking for. The aim of the series is to help you to survive and thrive in the post-COVID-19 job market.

Join the Canvas course to access resources and attend online workshops.