The Foundership 2026
Get access to our dedicated workspace in the city centre!
Register Your Interest NOW!Secure your place on this summer's cohort!
Receive £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
Register Your Interest NOW!There are 8 places available on the cohort. Places are extremely competitive, so you are encouraged to register your interest as soon possible.
For more information on Eligibility and the Application Process, please navigate to the ‘Who is the Foundership For?’ and the ‘How do I apply?’ tabs further down this webpage.
**We highly recommend reading all the website information in full **
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.
Helena's Foundership Journey
Helena Virag is an MSc Genomics student and a member of the Foundership’s 2025 cohort. She is the founder of Untangl-d, neuroinclusive productivity tools built with kindness at their core.
“I can’t recommend it enough. The Foundership Programme has been one of the most valuable experiences of my time at university. Over 10 weeks, it has significantly developed my entrepreneurial mindset, equipped me with highly transferable skills, and provided insights that will continue to benefit both me and my business.”
– Eromeo Quintus, Branded Barber, Foundership 2025
“The Foundership was a game-changer for me. The lessons and workshops gave me the knowledge and confidence to turn what I was already good at into business I love and am excited to work on each day!”
– Joe Rickman, Joe Rickman Videography, Foundership 2025
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.
Register Your Interest NOW!
“It was absolutely amazing. I learnt so much from the mentors and the sessions and talking to the cohort.”
– Emma Boxley, Supple Nutrition, Foundership 2024
“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, Foundership 2024
No matter the type of business, the Foundership offers a supportive community where you can build lasting connections with like-minded students and recent graduates on the same journey. You will also get the chance to hear from alumni founders who have trodden the same path.
Register Your Interest NOW!
“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, Foundership 2024
“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, Foundership 2024
Please note: a requirement for the Foundership 26 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 (29 June – 5 September 2026).
*Please contact the Student Enterprise Team at [email protected] or book a Student Enterprise Appointment to discuss individual restrictions and requirements.
Register Your Interest NOW!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 stages of development.
Previously we have supported:
- Undergraduates
- PHD students
- Masters students
- 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.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
International students who are:
- Currently on a Graduate Visa and graduated no earlier than July 2025, or
- Moving onto a Graduate Visa from 1 July 2026,
may be eligible to apply if there is a viable and coherent plan to transition to a Founder Innovator or Talent Visa within the next 12-24 months (before your Graduate Visa expires).
👉 If this applies to you, please book a 1:1 with the team to discuss your eligibility before progressing.
Our application process is staged, so you can explore your suitability, get support early, and submit a strong application.
Interested parties are therefore encouraged to register their interest as soon as possible and book a 1:1 with a member of the Student Enterprise and Social Impact Labs Team to discuss their business idea and suitability for the programme.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Step 1: Book a 1:1 with the Student Enterprise team
Your first step is to book a 1:1 meeting with a member of the Student Enterprise team. This is a supportive conversation to discuss:
- Your business idea
- Your current stage of development
- Whether Foundership 2026 is the right programme for you
👉 Book your 1:1 as early as possible.
Step 2: Attend relevant workshops
You are expected, as your availability allows, to book onto and attend relevant enterprise workshops running during this term. These sessions will help you develop your idea, build your entrepreneurial skill set and strengthen your application.
STEP 3: Review and sign the Expectations Checklist
After your 1:1, you’ll be sent an ‘Expectations Checklist’. This outlines:
- What the Foundership Programme involves
- The level of commitment required
- What we expect from participants
You must review and digitally sign this checklist before you can apply.
STEP 4: Receive the Foundership 2026 Application Form
Once we’ve received your signed ‘Expectations Checklist’, we’ll send you a link to the ‘Foundership 2026 Application Form’ to complete online.
STEP 5: Submit your application
Complete and submit your application by:
🕛 Midnight, Sunday 8 March 2026STEP 6: Pitch to panel (shortlisted applicants)
If shortlisted, you’ll be invited to pitch your idea to a panel, in-person* at the Student Enterprise Junction on:
📅 Thursday 19 March 2026STEP 7: Outcome notification
All applicants will be informed of the outcome by:
📅 Friday 27 March 2026*NOTE: If for accessibility reasons you cannot make this in person, we can discuss online alternatives.
KEY DATES
- Book a 1:1: As soon as possible 👉BOOK
- Book workshops: As soon as possible
- Know Your Customer: Wednesday 11 February 👉BOOK
- Defining Your Value Proposition & USP: Wednesday 25 February 👉 BOOK
- Brand Like a Boss (on a Student Budget): Wednesday 11 March 👉 BOOK
- How to Attract, Win & Keep Customers :Wednesday 25 March 👉BOOK
- Intro to Social Media for Businesses: Wednesday 22 April 👉 BOOK
- Application deadline: Midnight, Sunday 8 March 2026
- Panel pitches: Thursday 19 March 2026
- Outcomes communicated: Friday 27 March 2026
THE APPLICATION FORM
The application form will cover:
- Basic information about you
- The problem you are trying to solve
- Your solution and value proposition
- Your target customer(s)
- Your understanding of the competitive landscape
- How your business will make money
- The progress you’ve made so far
PITCHING TO PANEL
If shortlisted, you’ll be asked to deliver a 5-minute presentation covering:
- Your Lean Business Model Canvas
- Your riskiest assumptions
- How you plan to validate those assumptions
- Your goals for the Foundership Programme
- Any potential obstacles or challenges you foresee
This will be followed by 15–20 minutes of questions from the panel. Further details and specific instructions will be shared with your invite to panel.
If you have any questions, concerns or 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 [email protected].
What do we expect from the Foundership 26 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: 29 June to 5 September 2026
- Commitment to attend the Foundership 26 Launch Days in-person on Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 June 2026.
- Commitment to attend a minimum of eight 1-1 mentor sessions with a Student Enterprise or Social Impact Labs Consultant over the course of the programme
- Commitment to attend the Mid Programme Review Sessions
- 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 2026 (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.
What will the Foundership 26 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 2027 and a spot in Battle of the Pitches.
Applications close: Midnight, Sunday 8 March 2026
Pitch Panels: Thursday 19 March 2026
Notification of Outcomes: Friday 27 March 2026
Acceptance of Place: by Friday 17 April 2026
Launch Days: Wednesday 24 & Thursday 25 June 2026
Foundership Programme Dates (10 weeks): Monday 29 June – Friday 5 September 2026
Founder Showcase 2026: Wednesday 14 October 2026
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Do I need a business idea to apply?
Yes, in order to apply and be consider for the Foundership you will need to have a business idea that you are committed to explore over the coming months and are willing to work on over the summer a minimum of 3 days per week.
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.
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 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 [email protected] or book a Student Enterprise Appointment.
Cherish's Foundership Journey
Cherish Boxall is a Psychology PhD student and founder of Engage Intelligently, a health research recruiter platform designed to optimise participation, maximise data return, and help transform the future of healthcare. She was a member of the 2025 Foundership cohort.
Register Interest for the Foundership 26 Cohort!
If this like it could be something you’re interested in exploring further, the first step is to complete the Expression of Interest form. You will then need to Book a 1:1 appointment with one of the team to discuss your eligibility for the programme.
Book 1:1Foundership Alumni Examples
“The Foundership was one of the best experiences in my university career not only in my business development. The Foundership helped take my business idea to a viable business in the span of 10 weeks and has equipped me with all the necessary skills I will need to carry it forward even further. It has been amazing in getting me connected with the right people to develop my business and given me the confidence to reach out and get client leads and business expansion leads.” – Vladi Popova, VMP Operations, Foundership 2025
“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
“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