Celebrating the 2025 Foundership Cohort
University of Southampton’s Summer Foundership Scheme Wraps Up After 10 Weeks of Entrepreneurship
The University of Southampton’s 10-week Summer Foundership Scheme has officially concluded, celebrating the creativity, resilience, and determination of its student founders.
The Foundership is a unique initiative that provides aspiring entrepreneurs with £3,000 in prize-funding, dedicated workspace in the Student Enterprise Junction, and expert-led support. Backed by the generous support of the University’s alumni community, the programme combines resources, mentorship, and a thriving entrepreneurial environment.
Throughout the summer, participants took part in expert-led workshops on a wide range of practical and creative topics, from productivity hacks, financial modelling, and customer personas to graphic design, pitching, and communicating value propositions. Weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions ensured every founder received personalised guidance, while a diverse lineup of external speakers added valuable insights.
The programme has been truly game changing. My mindset around entrepreneurship has completely evolved and I have gained invaluable knowledge from mentors who have been exactly where I am now and gone on to build successful businesses. Learning from their mistakes as well as their successes has been priceless
Eromeo Quintus, founder of Branded Barber
Highlights included sessions with Cavendish Consulting on branding, Digital Butter’s Sarah Cullen on marketing strategy, Dan Heelan on accounting, and Chris Buckingham on tribe building. Founders also gained advice from ONLE’s James and Kelly West on networking, Phoebe Sharman on PR, and Tom Ford on organic social media.
Alongside experts, students heard from inspirational entrepreneurs sharing lessons from their own journeys, including Ben Fishlock (SoRoast Coffee, Global Street Art, Kick4Life), serial entrepreneur Steve Northam, Chloe Coker (Round Table Cookery), James Reid (Fink Street Food), creative entrepreneur Reuben Mowle, Janu Shan (CareIQ), and past Foundership alumni such as MyTender.io’s Sam & Jamie and crowdfunding expert Lois Brewer.
The last 10 weeks have been amazing. They were structured well with the right information at the right times. The skills I’ve learnt have been so useful and I’ve recommended this course to practically everyone I know
Joe Rickman, freelance FPV drone pilot
The programme culminates in the Student Founder Showcase on 15 October, the University’s annual celebration of entrepreneurship. This event will spotlight every founder’s journey, giving them the chance to present their ventures and pitch to Southampton’s wider entrepreneurial community.
From freelancers and social changemakers to ambitious tech start-ups, the Showcase proves that innovation can come from every discipline. By connecting students, staff, partners, and the local community, it offers a unique opportunity to see how 10 weeks of funding, mentorship, and city-centre workspace have transformed ideas into real-world ventures.