Brookes Enterprise Support

Brookes Enterprise Support Funding and Support for Social Enterprises, Start-ups, Ventures founded by Oxford Brookes University students, recent graduates & staff.

Enterprise Support is offered to Brookes students, staff and recent graduates of up to two years for individuals interested in start-ups, social enterprises, social innovation & the Tier 1 Graduate Entrepreneur Visa scheme. Contact us for more information on how we can support you and your project.

Students are already using AI after our sessions.The interesting question is what happens when we are no longer there to...
01/09/2026

Students are already using AI after our sessions.

The interesting question is what happens when we are no longer there to structure the thinking.

Ask AI to “make my Business Model Canvas” or “write my customer interview questions” and it can produce something polished remarkably quickly.

But polished is not necessarily the same as understood, tested or owned by the learner.

That is the idea behind Puzzle Prompts.

Take an enterprise activity you already use.

Find the smaller thinking tasks hidden inside it.
Put them in order.
Turn them into questions.

AI can then help carry some of the repeatable structure while the learner still has to provide the thinking, evidence and decisions.

Educator designs.
AI asks.
Learner builds the answer.

That is what I’ll be working on with delegates at IEEC 2026.

If you use Business Model Canvas, Value Proposition Canvas, market research, customer interviews, assumption testing or pitch practice, bring one activity you already teach and see how you might redesign the route.

Do not give them the answer.
Design the route.

PUZZLE PROMPTS

Puzzle Prompts for Extra-Curricular Enterprise Education: Guided AI Activities for Student Sessions and Follow-Up

Unai Ledesma Gorostizaga
Business Start-up Advisor
Oxford Brookes University
Brookes Enterprise Support

IEEC 2026
Workshop
2 September 2026
12:00–12:50

Official IEEC 2026 programme and session page:
https://ieec2026.exordo.com/programme/presentation/65

We’re excited to share that our Business Start-up Advisor, Mim Sirajudin, will be presenting a lightning talk at IEEC 20...
29/08/2026

We’re excited to share that our Business Start-up Advisor, Mim Sirajudin, will be presenting a lightning talk at IEEC 2026, exploring:

Designing Resourceful Start-up Programmes: Leveraging Networks, Value Exchange and Non-Financial Capital

Drawing on his experience designing and delivering enterprise programmes at Oxford Brookes, Mim will explore a simple idea: some of the most valuable resources we can offer founders don’t come from bigger budgets.

His talk will look at how enterprise teams can think differently about programme design, using relationships, shared value, expertise, networks and community as forms of capital in their own right.

We’re looking forward to seeing Mim represent Oxford Brookes and share some of the learning behind our approach to supporting founders. 🚀

13/08/2026

Ignite Demo Day 2026 - registrations are now open!

After months of developing, testing and refining their ideas, our Ignite founders will be taking to the stage this November to share what they’ve been working on.

It’s always a great evening, you get to hear the stories behind the businesses, see what the founders have built and, importantly, celebrate how far they’ve come.

There’s also £9,500 in grant funding to be won:

🥇 £5,000 - 1st place
🥈 £3,000 - 2nd place
🥉 £1,500 - 3rd place

📅 Thursday 25 November 2026
🕕 6:00pm — Registration & networking
🎤 6:30–8:30pm — Pitches & networking
📍 Sir Kenneth Wheare, Oxford Brookes University

If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, supporting student founders, or simply want to see what our students and graduates are building, we’d love to have you there.

Registrations are open now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ignite-demo-day-2026-tickets-1995439904470?aff=oddtdtcreator #

And yes, there’ll be refreshments too. ☺️

06/08/2026

An idea can become a business with the right support. Hear how Rohan Jindal, Meg Genden and Madhav Pandya were supported by Oxford Brookes. Start your journey

Spark went online, and the ideas were brilliant.Our first online Spark program was a fantastic opportunity to hear stude...
10/07/2026

Spark went online, and the ideas were brilliant.

Our first online Spark program was a fantastic opportunity to hear students share, pitch and develop business ideas across a brilliant mix of topics, sectors and startup possibilities Online.

A huge well done to everyone who took part. The creativity, confidence and ambition in the session were fantastic to see.

Keep an eye on our page next week, when we’ll be announcing the winners.

Have an idea of your own? Whether you are a student, member of staff or alumni, Spark can help you explore it, test it and take your next step, online or face to face.

To find out more, email the Enterprise Support team at [email protected]

Last Friday, the Oxford Brookes Enterprise Support team had the pleasure of supporting another fantastic Impact Challeng...
18/06/2026

Last Friday, the Oxford Brookes Enterprise Support team had the pleasure of supporting another fantastic Impact Challenge Week - what an incredible week it was.

It was inspiring to see students from Oxford Brookes and OTH Regensburg come together to tackle real-world challenges with such creativity, collaboration and ambition. Throughout the week, teams worked closely with clients, mentors and peers to develop thoughtful solutions with genuine potential for impact.

A special congratulations to the winning and runner-up teams — both of whom were supported through mentoring from our team members, Mim and Unai. It was a privilege to play a part in helping students challenge their thinking, refine ideas and build confidence in their approach.

Initiatives like Impact Challenge Week are a brilliant example of experiential learning in action, creating opportunities for students to apply their knowledge, work across disciplines and engage directly with organisations and industry challenges.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making the week possible - clients, mentors, judges, collaborators and of course the students, whose energy and commitment made this one of the best yet.

We’re proud to continue supporting opportunities like this across the Business School and look forward to seeing what comes next.

FEW SPACES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE SPARK SUMMER 2026!SPARK is our introductory start‑up programme for Oxford Brookes st...
28/05/2026

FEW SPACES NOW AVAILABLE FOR ONLINE SPARK SUMMER 2026!

SPARK is our introductory start‑up programme for Oxford Brookes students, staff and recent graduates who want to test a business idea, grow their confidence and take the first practical steps toward building something of their own.

Across the programme, participants will refine their idea, learn practical start‑up tools, expand their thinking and prepare a simple pitch.

This summer edition is fully online, so you can join from wherever you are!

Whether you already have an idea or are just curious about starting something, SPARK is a great place to begin.

Apply today:
https://forms.gle/wiDAL2Uv1w3fTYMz5

Exciting day at Oxford Brookes today.HelpBnk are here at the Lloyd’s Building, giving students and founders the chance t...
21/05/2026

Exciting day at Oxford Brookes today.

HelpBnk are here at the Lloyd’s Building, giving students and founders the chance to pitch, connect and explore new opportunities.

It is great to see a platform connected with Simon Squibb’s mission to help more people start and grow businesses engaging with the university enterprise ecosystem.

Big conversations start with small moments like this.

Congratulations Oxford Brookes Class of 2026! 🎓As an Oxford Brookes graduate, you’ll have access to up to 7 years of ent...
21/05/2026

Congratulations Oxford Brookes Class of 2026! 🎓

As an Oxford Brookes graduate, you’ll have access to up to 7 years of entrepreneurial support after graduation, including:

• One-to-one business support — tailored mentoring to help you launch, grow and refine your venture.

• Workshops & programmes — practical business skills, founder support and networking opportunities.

• Co-working space — flexible working, creative energy and a community of entrepreneurs.

• Funding opportunities — access to grants, investor connections and pitch support.

• Innovator Founder Visa support — guidance and support for international graduates exploring the visa route.

Whether you’re building a freelance career, launching a start-up or exploring an idea, we’re here to support your next chapter.

Ready to take the next step?

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Oxford Brookes University
Oxford
OX30BP

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