Would-be entrepreneurs are being given the chance to turn their start-up ideas into a reality in an academic environment.
The Peter Coates Masters in Entrepreneurship, delivered by Staffordshire University, focuses on the practical application of business-building and tests students’ ability to apply theory into practice.
Students are eligible for a full bursary to cover their course fees thanks to funding from the Peter Coates Foundation which has set aside £20 million for the regeneration of Stoke-on-Trent through new business creation in the area.
So far 70 students, mainly from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire, have taken the MSc in Entrepreneurship (Peter Coates) course.
Applications are now open for further applicants who want to develop a start-up idea into a sustainable, scalable and investable business.
Investment-ready students have the opportunity to pitch their business to the Peter Coates Foundation at the end of the course for up to £200,000 in investment.
Successful individuals and teams will also get the opportunity for ongoing mentoring and start-up support, as part of the Peter Coates Fast Forward programme.
Dr Laura Walton-Williams, Director of Enterprise Education at Staffordshire University, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for entrepreneurial individuals in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to launch their business or turn their ideas into reality.
“We’ve seen students come in here with nothing and leave with an established business that is paying their bills and we believe more of our students will go on to build businesses that hire and grow here too.”
The 12-month course is taught by practitioner academics with significant input from external mentors, entrepreneurs, coaches, businesses and guest speakers.
