Freelance and business support for you

Now that the academic year 2025-26 has started, we – the Student Enterprise ‘beepurple’ team – thought it would be helpful to highlight the range of startup support you can access as a University of Brighton student or graduate!

No matter what you are studying, there is startup support available for you!

Boost your skills

All students are welcome to attend our monthly, startup workshops to boost your business skills and spark new ideas.

This term, we will be hosting three, extra-curricular workshops on our City Campus:

– How to Work as a Freelancer: Wednesday 15 October, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
– How to Set Up a Creative Business: Wednesday 12 November, 5.30pm – 7.30pm
– How to Start a Social Enterprise: Wednesday 3 December, 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Come along to whichever workshops interest you!

To register your free place for any of the workshops, please go via Careers Connect:

https://careersconnect.brighton.ac.uk/events/events.html

Everyone who attends will receive a certificate of attendance. We also provide cold drinks and snacks at each workshop!

Turn your ideas into reality

If you have an idea for a side hustle, creative business or social enterprise, you can book a one-to-one startup advice session with a member of the Student Enterprise team. 

During these confidential, action-oriented sessions, we will discuss your ideas, and co-create a plan of action with you.

You can book a one-to-one entrepreneurship advice session via Careers Connect:

https://careersconnect.brighton.ac.uk 

Get some funding for your startup

If you are a UK student, you are eligible to apply for a START grant (up to £300) for your startup. This funding can be used to pay for materials, specialist equipment, stock, or marketing support – whatever is most relevant to you.

To find out more about the START grant programme, please email the Student Enterprise ‘beepurple’ team on: beepurple@brighton.ac.uk

Win cash prizes for your business ideas

All students (UK or international) are welcome to apply for our annual business ideas competition called ‘The People and Planet Prize’. This is an opportunity for you to win up to £1000 for your startup idea.

We will be launching The People and Planet Prize on Monday 17 November. 

Follow us on Instagram (@uobbeepurple) to keep up-to-date with our competition announcements.

We look forward to meeting you soon, and supporting you to develop your ideas and startup plans!

If you have any questions about any of our Student Enterprise activities taking place this year, please email the beepurple team on beepurple@brighton.ac.uk.