Enterprise & Entrepreneurship

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, including communication, innovation and enthusiasm.

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

Emerging Researchers Innovation Challenge (previously PGR Innovation Challenge)

Welcome to the Emerging Researchers Innovation Challenge 2025 (ERIC), delivered by the B-Enterprising team at the University of Birmingham.

How can the ERIC 2025 help you to further develop your innovation and research skills?

Through a combination of practical thought provoking, skill testing and creativity inducing activities, you will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary students from across 5 university to take on a unique challenge which we have designed for you.

It will require you to think laterally to produce viable solutions using your research knowledge and experience, enhance your communication skills and help you to apply new innovative principals.

We will teach you everything you need to know about innovation and share how you can practically apply what you will learn through this challenge to your education and future career, whether that is in academia or not.

So, if you are up for a challenge and are prepared to test your ability to solve real world problems, want to meet new people and ignite your competitive spirit, register now for the ERIC 2025.

PRIZES: The winning team will receive prizes PLUS bonus prizes will be given.

DATES: 23^rd June 2025 – 4^th July 2025

More information to follow.

What's Next?

Have a question?

Please email: benterprising@contacts.bham.ac.uk

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