UEL rises to second place in university start-up rankings

Last year, UEL students started 215 businesses, according to HESA’s annual Intellectual property, start-ups and spin-outs statistics, cementing the University’s standing as one of the UK’s top institutions for entrepreneurship.  

It is a rise from UEL’s position of 4th place in 2022/23. In the last five years, UEL has helped support 762 new start-ups.

Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Careers and Employer Engagement), Adam Doyle said, 

It is an immense source of pride that UEL is second in the UK-wide student start-up rankings, and testament to the hard work and dedication of colleagues across the university who make us the leading career-first institution in the country.

“In the last five years, UEL has built a community of over 600 founders, reflecting a rich entrepreneurial portfolio including graphic designers, coaches, photographers, consultants, designers, podiatrists, musicians and food producers.

“Vision 2028 is making an impact. At the heart of this strategy sits a commitment to social justice and equity – ensuring that, whatever their background, students can access a modern, careers-ready education and gain the skills they need to progress.

“We know that talent is everywhere, and we are committed to ensuring opportunity is as well.”

Rebecca Moodie, Associate Director-Career Coaching, Mentoring & Student Enterprise at UEL said, 

"Under our institutional strategy, our enterprise provision is focused on four key pillars of extensive programming and support.  

“This includes raising the visibility and profile of entrepreneurship institutionally and ensuring all students develop skills as part of their degree, providing access to equipment and resources that enable students to test and validate ideas, developing distinct Entrepreneurial Career Pathways for our students and graduates interested in starting their own business and enhancing our relationships and role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem in East London."

UEL is the UK’s leading careers-first university, empowering graduates to be future-ready through an innovative approach – from the very start of their student journey through to graduation and beyond.

A core tenet of UEL’s Vision 2028 strategy, a careers-first education offers students a holistic experience drawing together academic excellence, student support services, and industry partnerships. At UEL, from day one, students are supported to realise their ambitions, with every course designed around a Careers Guarantee.

BACK:ED, the University of East London’s flagship enterprise programme, supports students and recent graduates to test, start and accelerate their business ideas. Those who participate in the programme benefit from tailored business support, up to £1000 in grant funding, networking, and mentoring opportunities.  

Other programmes offered by UEL include Start Up School, a series of workshops teaching the fundamentals of business start-up and mentoring via the UEL Founders Network. The Founders Network allows UEL students and graduates to share experiences, get support, and learn from more experienced entrepreneurs within the University community.  

UEL students and graduate entrepreneurs who join the network can connect with like-minded founders, celebrate business goals and learn from experienced individuals.

Delivered in partnership with the Haberdashers Livery Company, UEL's CATALYST programme aims to support early-stage businesses with a £2000 grant and six months mentoring.  Previous winners include Giuseppe and Claudio, Business School students who founded 'Gusto Snacks', have successfully raised their first round of investment and are now stocked in supermarkets UK-wide with their sustainable wonky fruit snacks.  

Sustainable Fashion entrepreneur Cassandra Quinn was awarded Creative Entrepreneur of the Year by the Mayor of London, becoming one of the few non-Russell Group university students to obtain this prestigious title. Hip Hop entrepreneur Charlie Blair now employs over 20 people across the UK and was recognised by NatWest as one of the Top 100 Social Entrepreneurs in the UK.