Get Started

Do you have an idea for a business, side hustle or freelancing opportunity? Take the first steps to make your idea a reality.

What is Get Started?

Get Started is MEC’s new online challenge-based programme that empowers you to take the first step in turning your idea into reality. Through short challenges, discover whether your idea could take flight. You can gain up to £500 and develop skills to refine your idea and leap forwards in your startup journey.

For this programme, we expect you to have an idea that you have not started to develop.

Who can apply?

Any current student at the University of Manchester (UG, Master’s/PGT, PGR/PhD).

What is the application process?

• To participate, you will complete an initial form of short answer questions. Once you complete the form, you're in! There are no entry criteria to begin the programme.
• Completing the form will inform you of your first challenge, designed to assess the feasibility, market potential, level of innovation and creativity of your idea.
• You will have 3 weeks to complete the challenge and review. For the review, you will have access to short videos to guide you in reflecting on what you have learnt from completing the challenge and generating follow-up actions to progress the idea.
• You will submit evidence of challenge completion, your reflections and the follow-up actions. You will provide costings of these actions, up to the value of £500.

• MEC will award up to £500 to applicants who have actively engaged in the process and demonstrated their idea has potential to progress.
• The award is designed to enable you to take the next step. Participants will also be signposted to further MEC support and programmes best suited to their idea.

Have an idea? Get Started! 🚀

 

Key Dates

Get Started will launch in Semester 2 of 2024/25.

The key dates are as follows:

Activity	Date
Get Started Opens	Tuesday, 4th February 2025
Window to enter challenge closes*	Tuesday, 18th February 2025
Applicants informed of outcome and signposted to further MEC support	Tuesday, 25th March 2025
Informal Mixer Event	w/c 31st March 2025 (date TBC)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Applicants have a 3 week period to complete the challenge after submitting the initial form. Your deadline will be indicated to you on submission of the form.