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Excellence in entrepreneurship

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A transformative wider student experience

Our students and graduates push the boundaries of possibility in entrepreneurship and innovation around the world.

Durham students and graduates are supported to unleash their entrepreneurial potential and explore how they can positively impact the world. Our Venture Lab team provides inspiration to ignite passion, nurtures confidence and raises aspirations, and offers knowledge, resources and connections to turn ideas into reality.
Find out how
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University student
At Durham we attract the greatest minds and most talented students, irrespective of nationality, culture and background; the benefits of our impressive wider student experience are reflected in the achievements of our students. We inspire our students and graduates to think like a leader, spark new ideas and deliver global impact.
Professor Karen O’Brien
Vice-Chancellor and Warden
Global Entrepreneurship Week logo

Global Entrepreneurship Week

We are celebrating our inspiring student and graduate entrepreneurs this week as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (Monday 18 – Sunday 24 November). Discover how they are bringing their ideas to life to make the world a better place, with the support of our Venture Lab team.

Read more

Sparking new ideas

There are a range of enterprise schemes, competitions and more that students can get involved in to develop themselves and achieve outstanding things.

From two-times world champions Taka Taka Zero, one of our Enactus Durham projects which reached the Enactus World Cup in October once again; to exploring initial startup ideas with an experienced Venture Lab coach, there are many pathways our students can take to unleash their potential. Our purpose-built Hazan Venture Lab offers students and graduates working on new ventures or enterprising projects a dedicated space to connect, collaborate, and form a community.

How our students get involved

Skills for the future

We encourage our students to seize development opportunities throughout their Durham journey. Applying a holistic approach across all aspects of University life, from College activities and academic programmes, through to the Venture Lab team, ensures that a set of core attributes flourishes within our student body. Students are supported to build on their unique strengths to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Testament to this approach are many success stories from our students and graduates, including Hey! Food is Ready, which was a finalist in 2023's Great British Entrepreneur Award; Charter, which has worked with global space organisation NASA; and IMPOSSIBREW, which pitched to a high profile panel for business investment on the popular UK TV show Dragons' Den.

We're proud to have been shortlisted for the 'University of the Year for Graduate Employment' by the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025 also.

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Our graduate attributes
Three students chatting with Durham Cathedral in the background
Graduate employment success
Students networking
Our Wider Student Experience
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Explore more

Read the latest from our wider community

Celebrating our aspiring entrepreneurs

We are celebrating our student and graduate entrepreneurs this week as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week (Monday 18 – Sunday 24 November).

Support Services
Image includes headshots of the two students/alumni - Yuk and Mohammad.

$4.15m (£3.2m) donation from Dr Neil Hunt to inspire future tech leaders

New sustainability-focused scholarships will be established and student entrepreneurship enhanced thanks to a US $4.15 (£3.2) million donation from tech pioneer, former Netflix executive and Durham alumnus Dr Neil Hunt.
Alumni news
Neil Hunt and Julie Raymond

School SME masterclass session supports local innovation and growth

A two-day masterclass aimed at small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North East of England was recently held in Newcastle. The event, offered as part of our Smart and Scale programme, was aimed at helping to drive economic development across the region.
Business School news
Group of photographs from the SME masterclass event in Newcastle
More entrepreneurship news

Our alumni inspire the extraordinary

Our global alumni community continues to inspire our students, leading by example and supporting those who are just starting on their entrepreneurship journey.

Our Hazan Venture Lab and dedicated support team nurture innovation and help to launch new ventures around the world. Some 140 startups have emerged in the last five years, with £18 million collectively raised in external funding. Our students and graduates can benefit from a wide range of services, including receiving startup coaching, attending workshops and events, entering competitions for funding opportunities, and joining alumni entrepreneurship networks.

Find out more

£20m external funding raised by our startups (to date)
170 jobs created by our startups, and counting
£4m combined annual turnover of our startups since 2019
3,374 students supported to explore innovation and entrepreneurship

Real-world impact

Meet some of our entrepreneurial alumni who have created innovative startups that are already positively impacting the world. Between them they have reached great heights, including being named as a finalist in Prince William's international Earthshot Prize, and featuring in the prestigious Forbes' 30 under 30 list.

Explore more alumni success stories
Headshot of Saffron Gilbert-Kaluba
The Corporate Law Journal
Beth and Leo of Local Energy Systems
Local Energy Systems
Rebecca Daniel in graduation robes
The Marine Diaries
Daisy Hill wearing a branded Zzish tshirt
Zzish
Durham Alumnus Yuk Chi Chan
Charter
Naomi Green wearing a Learning by Heart tshirt
Learning by Heart
Natasha Boulding - Photo
Low Carbon Materials
National Volunteers
The Giveback Uplift Society
University student
Durham University gave us the launchpad to advance to the next stage and propel our growth. Now, we are a multi-million dollar company at the frontier of science with a network that spans the globe.
Luke Young and Rory Hornby
Co-founders of Alora

Reaching new heights

Watch videos with our alumni entrepreneurs

Play video 1

Low Carbon Materials (formerly Sphera) - Natasha Boulding, Scott Bush and Phil Buckley

Low Carbon Materials develops next-generation construction material alternatives designed to reduce carbon emissions. The company has earned an array of awards and nominations, including as a finalist in the Earthshot Prize in 2022.

Explore more alumni success stories
Explore more alumni success stories

Nurturing curious minds

Our staff members include entrepreneurial leaders who are active in their fields. Academics work at the cutting-edge of entrepreneurship thought leadership and research, sharing insights from industry experience through academic programmes and mentorship. Our Venture Lab team offers practical advice, connections, and more to help student entrepreneurs grow and flourish.

They are all passionate about supporting our students to learn and grow from their entrepreneurial experiences.

3,374 students supported to explore innovation and entrepreneurship
140 startups have emerged since the Venture Lab team formed five years ago

Meet our staff

Academic staff

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How our staff get involved

  • Professors in Practice

    Professors in Practice are experienced professionals across a wide variety of disciplines and sectors, who share their skills and knowledge directly with students, bringing public distinction and practical insights to the classroom.

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  • Impact magazine - entrepreneurship and innovation research articles

    IMPACT is our Business School's thought leadership magazine, showcasing the impact we have throughout our communities and the business world. It encompasses research on entrepreneurship and innovation, such as exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental health.

    IMPACT magazine logo 300x300

Professors in Practice

Professors in Practice are experienced professionals across a wide variety of disciplines and sectors, who share their skills and knowledge directly with students, bringing public distinction and practical insights to the classroom.

A smartly dressed woman with a microphone talking and making hand gestures looking at a man in a suit sitting next to her

Impact magazine - entrepreneurship and innovation research articles

IMPACT is our Business School's thought leadership magazine, showcasing the impact we have throughout our communities and the business world. It encompasses research on entrepreneurship and innovation, such as exploring the relationship between entrepreneurship and mental health.

IMPACT magazine logo 300x300
University student
Right from day one, when students come into the university, we are careful to try and ensure that they understand that entrepreneurship is a state of mind as much as a set of activities, and that it's something that is accessible whoever you are. We try very hard to ensure that we expose students to the world of entrepreneurship, not just through their modules, but through master classes, workshops, guest speakers, factory visits, you name it.
Professor Joanna Berry
Associate Dean, External Engagement (Business School)