Unlock your business potential

At the Ingenuity Lab there are plenty of routes to developing your entrepreneurial ambitions. We are home to a diverse range of businesses and entrepreneurs, seeking to create impact in the world we live in and transform our future. If you have an idea for a business, then we can support you to unlock your potential.

Join the Ingenuity Lab

We’re always looking for new members with ideas for innovative new businesses to join our growing network of students, researchers and alumni. Membership is free and gives you access to workspaces, mentoring, workshops and opportunities that can help make entrepreneurship a viable career choice.

Establish your business at the Ingenuity Lab

The Ingenuity Lab offers a friendly and inspiring environment where students and alumni can explore their business ideas and start up their own enterprise.

From monthly surgeries and group seminars to an internship scheme and our accelerator programme Scale, the Lab will provide you with the resources, inspiration and insight to get your business off the ground and grow your venture. In addition, for international students who have a viable business idea, we offer a number of endorsements for Start-Up visas each year.

We offer support, services and mentoring by experienced Entrepreneurs in Residence and specialist consultants. They can help you develop your business and provide confidential advice in areas such as law, accounting, marketing and brand development.

The businesses creating impact

Rob Avery-Phipps

China Britain Regional Initiative MA International Relations (2012) Rob Avery-Phipps graduated from the university’s Ningbo Campus in 2012 with a master’s in International Relations. Inspired by his experiences in China, he decided to create the China Britain Regional Initiative (CBRI) upon his return to the UK, working directly with local authorities in China and the UK to generate economic, educational and cultural connections.

“The Ingenuity Lab is a brilliant network of diverse people and ideas who are united by the belief that we can make positive changes happen. The Lab has been instrumental in helping my business develop, grow, survive and adapt.”

Nellie Khossousi graduated from the University of Nottingham with a BSc in Economics in 2018 and joined the Lab last year. Her business, ThirdCultureNellie.com is a platform designed to equip people with the tools to affordably work and study abroad, by sharing paid programmes, scholarships, grants, application advice and affordable accommodation options. “The Lab has been a great way for me to meet other entrepreneurs, access expert advice on my business plan and also think about the legal side of things. I feel inspired and motivated, being part of an incredible community from all around the world. I am happy that I can still feel connected to the University of Nottingham.”

Claire Mann, who received her PhD from the School of Education in 2013, won a host of awards including the £10,000 Impact Entrepreneur of the Year grant at the Ingenuity Programme Impact Evening 2021. Her business idea, ChangeXtra, aims to support and empower women going through the menopause through counselling, coaching, support and access to learning.

Nellie Khossousi

Third Culture Nellie BSc Economics (2018)

Dr Claire Mann

Ingenuity Programme Impact Entrepreneur of the Year PhD Education (2013)

Ingenuity Programme

The Ingenuity Programme brings together people from a diverse range of backgrounds to explore and create solutions to some of the biggest social issues facing the UK today.

The Programme, which runs annually from December to May, is delivered via an online insight and learning platform, a state of the nation summit, and a national business plan competition with significant investment and support available.

With a network of over 60 leading universities, corporates, charities, public and third sector organisations, we work in partnership to tackle key social and environmental issues through enterprise.

If you are passionate about finding business solutions that help tackle climate change, reduce poverty and inequality, improve health, or create community, then the Ingenuity Programme is for you.

Find out more at

ingenuityimpact.org

Your next steps

Contact us to find out how we can help you get your business off the ground.