Entrepreneurship Champions
Get involved. Build your experience. Help shape entrepreneurship at Manchester.
Want to get involved in entrepreneurship and innovation at the University of Manchester?
Entrepreneurship Champions are a team of students who work with the Masood Entrepreneurship Centre (MEC) to help more students discover entrepreneurship opportunities, support MEC programmes and events, and contribute to our entrepreneurial community. You'll choose one of MEC's four entrepreneurship pathways based on your interests, and can also become a Champion for your School.
You don't need to have started a business or have any previous entrepreneurship experience — just curiosity and a willingness to get involved.
Entrepreneurship Champions Programme 2026-27 >>> Apply Now
Applications close on 16th October 2026 at midnight.
What does an Entrepreneurship Champion do?
Your role has three elements:
- Support the wider MEC community — represent MEC at fairs and student activities, and help promote our programmes, events and funding opportunities across campus.
- Support MEC programmes and events — help with promotion, event delivery and content, including flagship campaigns like the Venture Further Awards.
- Pick a pathway — join one of MEC's four entrepreneurship pathways, working alongside MEC staff and other Champions.
Pick whichever area matches your interests, strengths or the experience you'd like to build:
Get Freelancing — help students explore freelancing and self-employment through activities, promotion and one-to-one engagement. Develops: communication, community building.
Launchpad & Venture Builder — get closer to the startup ecosystem, supporting students building ventures and connecting with founders and entrepreneurs. Develops: startup ecosystems, stakeholder engagement.
Researcher Launchpad — help researchers turn their ideas into real-world innovation, supporting activities that connect research and entrepreneurship. Develops: research commercialisation, innovation.
Manchester Impact Ventures — support students and ventures tackling social and environmental challenges through purpose-led entrepreneurship. Develops: impact entrepreneurship, community engagement.
You’ll explore managing client projects, communicating professionally, building repeat business and using practical tools, including AI, to save time and work smarter.
Help bring entrepreneurship opportunities closer to students in your School — connecting MEC with your discipline, sharing opportunities through your networks, and feeding back what students in your School are interested in.
Open to AMBS, SALC, SEED, Engineering, SoBS, SoMS, SoHS, SoSS and Natural Sciences. You can combine this with your chosen pathway — just tell us which School you're part of when you apply.
What will you gain?
Real experience on live MEC programmes and events; transferable skills in communication, project delivery and stakeholder engagement; exposure to your chosen area of entrepreneurship; and a wider network of students, founders and researchers.
You'll also be recognised with an MEC Entrepreneurship Champion certificate and, where eligible, credit towards the Step Up & Lead Stellify accreditation.
Recognition and benefits
MEC Entrepreneurship Champion certificate, Step Up & Lead Stellify accreditation (where eligible), a Champion hoodie, access to the Enterprise Zone, and — for standout contributions — a potential LinkedIn recommendation.
Time commitment
Around 30 hours across the academic year (45 for Venture Builder), designed to fit alongside your studies.
Support you'll get
Induction and onboarding, pathway-specific support, training and guidance, and a wider community of Champions across MEC's pathways and Schools.
All current University of Manchester undergraduate and postgraduate students — no previous business or entrepreneurship experience needed. We're looking for students who are curious, reliable, and keen to get involved and support others.
- Explore the four pathways, and decide if you'd also like to represent your School.
- Apply via the form before the deadline: 16th October 2026 — https://rebrand.ly/ECform
- We'll review applications and invite shortlisted students to the next stage.
- Successful applicants get onboarding and pathway information before getting started.
Find out More
Have a question? Contact the MEC team: entrepreneurship@manchester.ac.uk