Manchester Venture Builder
Turn Your Idea into a Market-Ready Startup! 🚀
Do you have an innovative idea but feel stuck on how to turn it into a real business? Or maybe you've taken the first steps but hit a roadblock, unsure of what’s next?
Well, Venture Builder is here to help you pass this stage! This is your 12-week startup launchpad, taking you from concept to execution with hands-on guidance, expert mentorship, and commercial validation.
Important Links
What is Venture Builder?
Venture Builder is a 12-week action-packed, hands-on programme that takes you from concept to execution. This programme is designed for founders - teams and individuals - who have an initial idea with basic market understanding and are ready to build!
In just 12 weeks, you’ll
✅ Validate your business idea
✅ Build an actionable business model
✅ Develop a minimum viable product (MVP)
✅ Leverage AI to help build and operate your business
✅ Understand fundraising options
✅ Master pitching for customers and investors
✅ Present at Demo Day to investors, entrepreneurs and stakeholders
It's intense. It’s challenging. But it’s also the perfect launchpad for your startup.
In this journey, AI will be your new co-founder! We'll show you how to use AI for research, marketing, automation, and growth (Still unsure about AI? Take Magnific as an example - a startup that went from $0 to $10M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in just one year with only two people on the team! That’s the power of leveraging AI effectively.)
How does it work? The Magic Behind Venture Builder
We’ve designed this programme using the Lean Startup and Agile Sprint methodologies, meaning you won’t just learn - you’ll DO. 🚀
Every week, you’ll go through a Build-Measure-Learn cycle to validate your assumptions, refine your idea, and pivot when necessary. Think of it as scientific experimentation for startups - except way more fun!
And don’t worry—we’ve done this many times before, and we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Why Join?
What you'll gain: Joining Venture Builder isn’t just about learning - it’s a practical, high-impact experience designed to equip you with lifelong skills that are valuable for startups, innovation teams, and the workplace.
- Build your business – Stop second-guessing and start making progress every single week.
- Mentorship & Expertise – Work with successful entrepreneurs, mentors, and industry leaders via workshops and 1-2-1 mentoring support.
- Equity-Free Funding – Access up to £5,000 in funding, to build and test your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Access Over £10,000 in Software Perks – Leverage cutting-edge tools and platforms.
- Community & Networking – Meet fellow founders, join Manchester’s startup ecosystem, and collaborate via online and offline communities.
- Demo Day – Get your startup in front of investors, mentors, and key stakeholders.
Who Can Apply?
Venture Builder is open to:
- Any current student at the University of Manchester (UG, Master’s/PGT, PGR/PhD).
- Graduates from the University of Manchester within the last 2 years (on or after 1st December 2022)
We're looking for applicants who:
- Have a business idea combined with the passion and drive to actively work on it.
- Have some understanding of their market, customers, or industry.
- Are ready to commit at least 15 hours per week to their startup.
- Can attend in-person sessions on campus.
Not sure if you're a fit? Book a Startup Appointment with us and let’s figure it out together.
What is the Application Process?
It’s simple and straightforward:
🔹 Step 1: Online Application – Submit no more than 10-slide pitch deck covering:
- The Problem (What challenge are you solving?)
- The Solution & Value Proposition (What makes it unique?)
- The Market Opportunity
- Progress to date (What action have you taken?)
🔹 Step 2: 1-2 Minute Video Submission – Tell us why this idea matters and why you’re the right person (or team) to make it happen.
🔹 Step 3: Selection & Invitation – We’ll pick 15-30 startups to join the cohort.
Pro Tip: Keep your pitch deck concise, clear, and compelling—this is your chance to shine!
Key Dates
| Activity | Date |
| Applications Open |
Now! |
| Information Session (Online) |
14:00-15:00, Wednesday, 12th March 2025 |
| Deadline to Apply | 23:59, Monday, 24th March 2025 |
|
Selection Announcement |
Monday, 31st March 2025 |
| Kick-off Sprint | Tuesday, 8th April & Wednesday 9th April 2025 (two full-day sessions) |
| Weekly Sessions | Wednesdays, 16:00-18:30 (16th April - 25th June 2025) |
Ready to Build Your Startup?
📢 Applications are open now! Don’t wait - apply by 23:59 on 24th March 2025.
If you’re serious about turning your idea into reality, gaining expert support, and being part of Manchester’s next wave of entrepreneurs - Venture Builder is for you!
(Trust us, future-you will thank you for taking this step and join the programme!)
Need more info?
📩 Contact Us: venturebuilder@manchester.ac.uk
📍 Visit Us: 2nd Floor, Alliance Manchester Business School
📅 Join our Information session: Wednesday 12th March 2025 (Online) - Register here
FAQ
Venture Builder is for entrepreneurs who are beyond just having an idea. You should have conducted some initial research, understand your market, and know what steps to take next. If you’ve participated in Ideas Lab, Get Started, Ready, Set, Pitch!, or Kickstarter, this is the ideal next step.
This programme is also a great fit if you’re looking to build a strong foundation before applying for Venture Further (VFA) or the Eli & Britt Harari Graphene Enterprise Award.
Venture Builder is sector-agnostic, meaning entrepreneurs from all industries are welcome to apply, including social enterprises and mission-driven ventures.
No. You can apply as a solo founder or with a team.
That’s the whole point! You’ll refine and evolve your idea based on market validation and user feedback.
Yes! If accepted, you’ll get full access to mentorship, resources, and funding at zero cost.
Absolutely. This is a part-time programme, and sessions are scheduled outside class hours to fit around your studies.
Yes! You are still eligible to apply for Venture Builder, but your eligibility for financial support will depend on your previous awards:
- If you have received funding from VFA, Eli Harari Award, R2I, or Accelerate ME, you can participate in the programme but will not be eligible for additional grant funding through Venture Builder.
- If you have previously received Kickstarter funding, you may still be eligible for some financial support, but not the full amount available to new applicants.
Regardless of funding eligibility, all participants will have full access to mentorship, workshops, networking opportunities, and investor exposure.
You’ll need to attend key in-person sessions (including the sprints), so it’s ideal if you’re in Manchester but that’s not mandatory.
If you’re not quite ready for Venture Builder yet, don’t worry! MEC offers multiple pathways to support your entrepreneurial journey. If you’re still refining your idea or at the very early stages, we recommend applying to Ideas Lab or Get Started, which are designed to help you develop and test your concept before moving to a programme like Venture Builder.
if you’re unable to join this cohort, there will be another Venture Builder intake in Semester 1 of 2025/26, giving you another opportunity to apply when you’re ready.
Yes, you are eligible to participate in the competition, but you must ensure that you do not breach any visa restrictions surrounding engaging in business activity.