- Ten student and graduate entrepreneurs at the University of Sheffield have collectively raised £1.4 million in investment over the last three years to scale their startups
- The funding success was driven by the University's ‘Emerge: Be Enterprising’ programme, which provides practical masterclasses, mentorship and connections to the local business community
- Alongside launching high-tech regional ventures like railway inspection technology firm Rivelin Rail, Emerge's success has earned it a shortlist nomination at the National Enterprise Educator Awards
Entrepreneurial students have collectively raised £1.4 million in investment for their business ventures over the last three years, thanks to support from the University of Sheffield’s enterprise programme.
The sum is the total raised by just 10 founders, whose ventures range from revolutionary technology shaping railway safety worldwide to a system helping breweries turn their organic waste into clean energy.
With backing at every stage from the University’s Emerge: Be Enterprising programme, students and graduates have sourced investment from grants, competitions, awards, venture capital, angel investors and more.
Now the businesses, many based in Sheffield, are going from strength to strength while helping to drive economic growth and create highly skilled jobs.
Matt Charlton, Enterprise Manager at the University of Sheffield, said: “As well as equipping students with a world-class education and practical skills, we empower them to turn their business ideas into reality.
“Since launching Emerge in 2023, we’ve built a vibrant community of entrepreneurs on campus and beyond, many of whom we have no doubt will become the leaders of tomorrow.
“This is thanks in no small part to our many partners in the local business community and University alumni network, who are always willing to share their expertise and offer mentorship.”
Sheffield-based Rivelin Rail, which develops friction measuring technology to improve railway safety, is just one of the firms that has benefited from the University’s entrepreneurial support.
Ben White, University of Sheffield graduate and Rivelin Rail Co-founder, said: “As an engineer, I don't come from a business background. But when we decided to start Rivelin Rail, we soon realised there was a huge support network right on our doorstep.
“One of the first programmes I attended was run by Emerge. It taught me the fundamentals of starting a business, and the team connected us directly with the local business community. Coming from outside that world, that support was immensely helpful to us.
“We’ve found that Sheffield is a brilliant place to start up and grow a business - I couldn’t imagine doing it anywhere else.”
The University’s Emerge programme gives students and graduates access to masterclasses, networking events, one-on-one support meetings and a network of successful founders to help them build skills, develop ideas and launch ventures.
In recognition of its impact and success, Emerge has been shortlisted for the National Enterprise Educator Awards, which celebrate the delivery of exceptional enterprise practice outside the curriculum.
Ben White added: “To any aspiring student entrepreneurs, my advice would be to engage with that support network and make the most of the mentorship as early as possible in your journey. Use it as a sounding board and don't be afraid of changing direction to achieve your goals.”
Find out more about the University’s Emerge: Be Enterprising programme: www.sheffield.ac.uk/entrepreneurship
