ASPIRE offers exciting and practical entrepreneurial and start-up experiences through interactive workshops and events and one-to-one support with start-up experts.
There is a dedicated ASPIRE space on the Canterbury campus and regular workshops in Medway both designed to inspire and encourage creativity.
ASPIRE support is available for students from any course at the University of Kent.
ASPIRE takes inspiration from the Global Development Goals to embed sustainability and ethical practice into every business.
Bring your ideas to life in a 15-week extra curricular programme that ends with a Dragon's Den style pitching competition.
The Business Start-up Journey provides a step-by-step guide to starting a business. Working alongside other student entrepreneurs helps you test the strength of your idea and transform it into a rounded proposal. You'll learn how to assess risk, turn challenges into opportunities and develop leadership, communication, presentation and teamworking skills. Great skills that give you an edge in whatever field you launch your career in.
If you need advice on any aspect of starting a business – from market research, projecting incomes and costs to marketing and web – we can help at our drop in sessions that run from 09:00 to 17:00 every weekday. Come and meet us on the first floor of the Sibson building.
ASPIRE’s open-plan workspace in the Sibson building has been specially designed to provide a collaborative working environment. ASPIRE Space provides a flexible space, where you can work quietly on a business case for a potential investor, rehearse that vital pitch with your partners, or take advantage of the resources we provide.
Do you have a business idea?
Take part in our exclusive pitching competition! Submit your business plan or a business model canvas to ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk by 7 February for a chance to participate.
With the support of the ASPIRE team, you’ll refine your pitch and develop a professional presentation. Finalists will showcase their ideas to a panel of judges during the grand finale of the Business Start-Up Journey on 19 March.
Instead of a Year in Industry opt for a Selfie; Self-Employed Year in Industry.
Use your placement year to launch your own business. You will be supported by ASPIRE’s entrepreneurs in residence via regular sessions and activities. You will gain essential skills necessary to run your own business and enhance your employability.
Kent graduate, Emay Enemokwu, talks Business Start-Up Journey and the next big step for Jehucal.
