Enterprise Fellowship Programme

The LJMU Enterprise Fellowship Programme

Are you about to graduate?

Do you want to start your own business or become self-employed or work as a freelancer? 

Applications are now open for the next round of the Enterprise Fellowship Programme (EFP).  This is the tenth year that the scheme has been run by the Centre for Entrepreneurship team at LJMU and to date over 200 graduates and sandwich year students have started their own businesses, become self-employed or work as a freelancer with help from the programme.

The EFP package provides:

• A 5-day intensive training course to kick start your business venture (1st - 5th July 2013).
  This course is led by industry experts and includes sessions on marketing, sales, branding, social media and business communications, confidence building and how to pitch your idea.  The course also includes a networking event to enable you to start making new contacts straight away.
• Up to 6 months'* of free tailored business support and advice from an LJMU business adviser to help you develop your busness plan/model, make your first sale and grow your business.
• Use of LJMU's Centre for Entrepreneurship co-working facilities - a hot-desking office facility, as well as meeting space.
• Access to funding opportunities including an EFP financial award.
• Membership of LJMU's start-up network.
• A discounted rate of membership from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.
  * If on a sandwich year, support will be provided throughout the year.

How to apply

If you want to start a full-time business and fulfil the eligibility requirements outlined below, email the Centre for Entrepreneurship at efp@ljmu.ac.uk and we will send you an application pack.  You will need to complete a business proposal outlining your idea and its viability.  Deadline for applications is Friday, 24th May 2013.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview between Thursday, 13th - Thursday, 20th June 2013.

Up to 30 places are available on this programme, but places will only be offered to eligible pre-starts that can clearly show a route to market.

Eligibility for the Enterprise Fellowship Programme

To be eligible to apply, you must:

• Be graduating this summer (2013) or have graduated in the last 5 years (since July 2008 onwards) or be an LJMU student intending to undertake a sandwich year in 2013/14.
• Be resident in Merseyside.
• Have EU residency rights.
• Be available to attend the 5-day bootcamp from 1st - 5th July if your application is successful.

FAQs

I've started trading - can I come on the EFP?

Unfortunately not, this programme is aimed at those who haven't yet started trading.  You can still get some assistance from the Centre for Entrepreneurship if you are an LJMU alumnus.  Please contact efp@ljmu.ac.uk for more details.

I've got an idea, but I don't know how to write a proposal?

If you have a great idea, but nothing down on paper, we are running special information sessions in the Centre for Entrepreneurship (dates to be confirmed).  These sessions will provide advice on how to complete an application and develop your proposal.

I graduated in 2007, can I come on the programme?

I'm afraid not, the ERDF definition of recent graduate is five years or less since graduation.  The Centre can still give you up to four sessions of business advice and access to facilities if you are registered LJMU alumnus.

When and how can I apply for the financial award?

A financial award is available subject to conditions being met.  You must provide a business plan, evidence of trading and present to a funding panel.  The earliest possible date you can pitch for this award is August 2013 and the latest is December 2013.

Can I apply as a partnership?

Yes, but all applicants must be eligible.

This programme is supported by the European Regional Development Fund NWEC Phase 2 project

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