The Foundership 2025 is now open for applications.
Secure £3,000 equity-free grant funding and a full package of support to turn your business dreams into a reality over the summer.
Exclusively for University of Southampton students and recent graduates!
“The Foundership program was brilliant. It provided me time, resources, funding, skills and office space to work on my start-up all of summer. I would have had to get a job and not been able to commit as much time as I did to the start-up without it.” – Samuel Aaron, mytender.io
Early-bird applications are NOW OPEN.
Apply NowEarly-bird applications close Midnight Sunday, 2 March 2025.
**We highly recommend reading all the website information before in full before applying. **
What is the Foundership?
The Foundership is a 10-week programme of funding and support for aspiring founders. The aim of the programme is to nurture and support student-led businesses within the University of Southampton, providing student founders with the resources, knowledge, guidance, and a supportive environment to help create successful and sustainable businesses.
“It was absolutely amazing. I learnt so much from the mentors and the sessions and talking to the cohort.”
– Emma Boxley, Supple Nutrition
“The Foundership gave me a broad perspective on what it is like to run and manage a business, as well as exploring potential other routes.”
– Lois Brewer, Snowys Maps
This amazing opportunity includes, £3,000 in prize-funding, dedicated workspace in the Student Enterprise Junction co-working space, expert-led workshops and weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions, all backed by the generous support of the University of Southampton alumni community.
The funding provided is to support with individual expenses whilst on the programme. Successful applicants can separately apply for additional funding to support business development via the Student Enterprise Fund.
“The development of both us personally and the business was incredible. We went from knowing little about business to getting ready to launch one. The programme was brilliantly designed, I was sometimes left without questions because everything I needed to know had been discussed.”
– Benj & Patrick, Co-founders, The Ripped Bear
“The office space is really welcoming and adds to the sense of community. The funding replaced my summer job and allowed me the peace of mind of working on my business but also being able to pay my bills.”
– Megan Gillet, Freelance Composer
Please note: a requirement for the Foundership 25 is that you are able to commit to working a minimum of 3-days a week* on your idea/business over the 10-week period (01 July – 5 September 2025).
*Please contact the Student Enterprise Team at studententerprise@soton.ac.uk or book a Student Enterprise Appointment to discuss individual restrictions and requirements.
With only 8 business spaces up for grabs, entry to the programme is competitive. However, the programme is open to all types of business, social enterprise or free-lancing service, across all sectors and at any stage of development.
Previously we have supported undergraduates, PHD, masters students and recent graduates (last 12 months). We recommend you get in touch and book a meeting with one of the team to discuss your commitments and suitability for the programme.
*Please note that the Foundership is only available to individuals who are legally eligible to start a business in the UK* International students studying on an International Student Visa are not permitted to engage in business activity in the UK.
What do we expect from the Foundership 25 cohort?
Please note: if you are interested in the Foundership but cannot commit to these requirements, please book a meeting with the Student Enterprise Team to discuss as there may be opportunity for some flexibility, depending on the circumstances.
- Commitment to work a minimum of 3-days per week on your business, for the duration of the programme
- Commitment to be located on-site at the Student Enterprise Junction, Sir James Matthews Building Southampton, on ‘Cohort Days’ (Wednesday and Thursdays), and one additional day per week (3 days total), for the duration of the programme
- Commitment to attend the Foundership 25 Launch Days in-person on Tuesday 1 July and Wednesday 2 July 2025.
- Commitment to attend a minimum of eight 1-1 mentor sessions with a Student Enterprise Consultant over the course of the programme
- Commitment to attend the Mid Programme Review Sessions on either 13 and 14 August 2025
- Demonstrated weekly progress towards your business goals, based on agreed weekly actions
- Participation in group sessions and activities with other members of the cohort
- Support and championing of other cohort members
- Participation in a Student Foundership Showcase Event in October 2025 (date and format tbd)
- The courage to step out of your comfort zone, work hard, have fun and think big!
What are ‘Cohort Days’?
Cohort Days are learning and collaboration days, where we expect the entire cohort to be on-site at The Student Enterprise Junction.
Cohort days take place every Wednesday and Thursday during the programme.
What to expect:
- Expert-led workshops across business strategy, planning, marketing, accounting, legal, mindset and much more.
- Group coaching and collaboration opportunities
- Team building, support and mentorship
- Networking with alumni founders, local businesses and subject matter experts
Attendance to some of the workshops and external speaker events taking place on cohort days will be optional. However, the majority will be compulsory. In addition to the content sessions, you will have time and space to work on your business and collaborate with other cohort members. A schedule for workshops and talks will be provided at least 2 weeks in advance.
Cohort Days take place every Wednesday and Thursday over the 10-week period, plus the launch day, Tuesday 1 July:
- Week 1: Tuesday 1, Wednesday 2, Thursday 3 July
- Week 2: Wednesday 9, Thursday 10 July
- Week 3: Wednesday 16, Thursday 17 July
- Week 4: Wednesday 23, Thursday 24 July
- Week 5: Wednesday 30, Thursday 31 July
- Week 6: Wednesday 6, Thursday 7 August
- Week 7: Wednesday 13, Thursday 14 August
- Week 8: Wednesday 20, Thursday 21 August
- Week 9: Wednesday 27, Thursday 28 August
- Week 10: Wednesday 3, Thursday 4 September
What will the Foundership 25 cohort receive?
Below is an overview of the package of support each member of the Foundership cohort will receive:
- Funding: Up to £3,000 in grant funding to allow you to work full-time on your business over the summer.
- Knowledge & Resources: 10 weeks of content workshops across business strategy, planning, marketing, accounting, legal, mindset and much more.
- Support: 10 weeks of regular mentorship, accountability and support, including weekly 1-1 sessions with the Student Enterprise Consultants.
- Access to Experts: Expert-led sessions and networking opportunities with experienced business professionals and engaging entrepreneurs.
- Work-Space: Monday to Friday access to a dedicated workspace in the heart of Southampton city centre – The Student Enterprise Junction.
- Founder Showcase: An opportunity to showcase your business to students, academics, experts and business owners across the University of Southampton ecosystem and beyond.
- Founder Network: Lifetime access to the Foundership Founders Network, a community of past and current founders.
- Venture Fest: A Stand at Venture Fest 2026 and a spot in Battle of the Pitches.
How do I apply?
There will be 2 opportunities to apply for a place on the Foundership 24 cohort, with early-bird places offered by the end of March 2025 and remaining places offered by the end of May 2025.
Early-bird application is encouraged to secure your place on the programme and plan your summer.
- The first stage of the application process consists of an on-line application form and video pitch (not more than 2-minutes).
- Applications will then be short-listed based on the quality of the application form and video pitch.
- Short-listed applicants will then be invited to an on-line panel interview.
If you have any questions, concerns of accessibility requirements you would like to discuss, we highly encourage you to book a Student Enterprise Appointment with one of the team or email us on studententerprise@soton.ac.uk.
Places are extremely competitive, so make sure to get your application in early.
Key dates for the two application rounds are detailed below:
Early-Bird Applications:
- Applications Open: Friday 31 January 2025
- Applications Close: Midnight Sunday 2 March 2025
- Panel Interviews: Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 March 2025
Main Applications:
- Applications Open: Monday 17 March 2025
- Applications Close: Midnight Sunday 4 May 2025
- Panel Interviews: Monday 12 or Tues 13 May 2025
Application Dates
Early-Bird Applications:
- Applications Open: Friday 31 January 2025
- Applications Close: Midnight Sunday 2 March 2025
- Panel Interviews: Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 March 2025
Main Applications:
- Applications Open: Monday 17 March 2025
- Applications Close: Midnight Sunday 4 May 2025
- Panel Interviews: Monday 12 or Tues 13 May 2025
Programme Dates
The programme will run for 10 weeks across the 10-week period of Tuesday 1 July to Friday 5 September.
- Launch Days (in-person): Tuesday 1 July and Wednesday 2 July 2025
- 10-Week Programme: Tuesday 1 July to Friday 5 September.
- Showcase Prep Session: September 2025 (tbc)
- Showcase Rehearsal: October 2025 (tbc)
- Showcase Event: October 2025 (tbc)
Participants are expected to be located on-site at the Student Enterprise Junction on Wednesdays, Thursdays and 1 other day per week for the duration of the programme (not including the break week).
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Do I need a business idea to apply?
Yes, in order to apply and be consider for the Foundership it is recommended that you have a business idea that you have been working on and are willing to work on full time for the next few months.
Can I apply with my team?
Only one of your team needs to apply, however the funding is per business. Therefore the maximum you will receive as a business / team will be £3000.
When are the Cohort Days?
Cohort Days take place every Wednesday and Thursday over the 10-week period from Wednesday 2 July to Thursday 5 September.
Can my team attend the Cohort Days?
Yes, co-founding members of your team are able to attend the Cohort Days, with prior agreement from the Student Enterprise Team
Do I have to attend Cohort Days in person?
Yes, you will ideally be required to attend Cohort Days, in addition to the Foundership Launch day on Tuesday 1 July in person. However, there may be flexibility in individual circumstances. If you have any questions regarding this, please book a 1:1 with the Student Enterprise Team to discuss.
Can I work on my business remotely?
Yes, you can work on your business remotely. However, you must work at The Student Enterprise Junction co-working space a minimum average of 3-days per week, over each 4-week Funding Period in order to receive the full £1000 for that Funding Period.
Can I still apply if I can only commit to working on my business 2 days per week?
Yes, you can still apply to the programme. However, you must be available to attend Wednesday Cohort Days. In addition, if you are only able to work 2 days per week on-site (including the Cohort day), you will only receive two thirds of the funding amount. We would highly recommend you scheduling a discussion with the Student Enterprise Team to discuss your individual requirements prior to submitting your application. You can email the team at studententerprise@soton.ac.uk or book a Student Enterprise Appointment.
Apply NOW for the Foundership Cohort 25.
Foundership Alumni Examples
“As a medical student, I found the Student Enterprise program invaluable—not only in growing initiatives like the national charity Mind Health for Medical Students and my business Supple Health, but also in gaining essential, transferable skills that will benefit me throughout my career. Programs like this are so important for medical students because they provide a foundation in business acumen, marketing, and leadership—critical skills that are often not covered in traditional medical education. Most doctors will find themselves managing a team as consultants, running private practices, or diversifying into other roles throughout their careers. These transferable skills are vital in preparing us for those realities, helping us become well-rounded, effective leaders in any setting.” – Emma Boxley, Supple, Foundership 2024
“The Foundership is a unique experience that helped me and my business grow together. I learned so much through spending time with other founders, mentors and experts, it is a special programme I cannot recommend highly enough to student founders!” – Rebecca Hamilton, Body Freedom, Foundership 2024
