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University of Southampton Offers Startup Assistance to Students and Researchers
The University of Southampton has launched a service to help students and researchers who are considering starting a business or a startup. This service, available for booking a Drop-in session, does not specify the nature of the website or its relation to startups, but it provides valuable advice and support during the session.
To book a Drop-in session, visit the provided link or email [email protected] if you don't have a University of Southampton email account. The sessions can be held online via MS Teams or face-to-face in the accelerator space on Highfield Campus.
The service does not disclose any requirements or qualifications for booking a Drop-in session or seeking assistance. However, it is designed to help those unsure about pursuing a startup, offering guidance on the critical next steps for a startup idea to become a reality.
The university offers a range of tailored resources and support for students and researchers interested in starting a business or a startup. For instance, the AIR26 Bootcamp – Responsible AI is a free, in-person two-day intensive Bootcamp held at the University of Southampton's Winchester campus. It supports founders in assessing the viability of their startup ideas and prepares them to pitch for a place on a fully-funded six-month acceleration programme.
Another university-linked service is the Future Worlds Tech Startup Accelerator, which helps tech startups, including those emerging from research at the University of Southampton, to develop and scale their businesses.
Beyond these directly university-related programs, other general startup support tools and insights are available in the ecosystem. Platforms like Startup Sonar help early-stage entrepreneurs discover, validate, and analyze startup ideas using AI-driven market analysis and detailed implementation roadmaps. Founders starting companies at or after university often benefit from company formation services and business growth advice such as from 1st Formations, which offers quick setup of limited companies and expert support for new founders.
It is worth noting that the service collects personal information about individuals to build a diversity profile and evaluate processes. However, the collected information will not be shared with anyone else. The service is free for all students and researchers at the University of Southampton, making it an accessible resource for those interested in founding a startup.
In summary, University of Southampton students and researchers can engage with structured, funded programmes like the AIR26 Bootcamp and Future Worlds accelerator that specifically target tech and AI startups, as well as tap into broader startup and business formation resources in the UK ecosystem to support launching and growing their ventures.
- The Founders at the University of Southampton can capitalize on the AIR26 Bootcamp, which provides comprehensive guidance to assess the viability of their startup ideas and prepares them for a fully-funded six-month acceleration program, focusing particularly on tech and AI startups.
- For those seeking general education, self-development, and further research, platforms like Startup Sonar and resources such as 1st Formations can offer valuable insights and tools, assisting early-stage entrepreneurs in discovering, validating, and analyzing their startup ideas, as well as providing expert advice on company formation and growth.
