The Open University welcomes six Entrepreneurs in Residence to help aspiring business owners

The Open University (OU) is thrilled to announce the addition of six dynamic Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) who will be working with the university to help aspiring business owners.

The six business professionals bring a wealth of experience and expertise to support the OU’s Open Business Creators project, a ground-breaking entrepreneurship initiative that provides support to staff, students and alumni who are looking to grow their businesses and ideas.

The Open Business Creators programme is designed to empower individuals across the four UK nations to embark and progress on their entrepreneurial journeys.

By equipping participants with tools and resources, facilitating virtual events, and offering a mentorship programme, the initiative aims to cultivate a new generation of business creators.

Aligned with the university’s commitment to opening up opportunities, the programme provides mentorship, as well as access to cutting-edge facilities and seed investment.

The new Entrepreneurs in Residence at the OU will serve as a driving force for entrepreneurship and innovation within the OU community, offering invaluable guidance to employers, OU partners, students, staff, and alumni.

By sharing their knowledge and real-world experiences, the EIRs will help individuals develop the essential skills needed to navigate the challenges of launching and growing a business.

The Open University has always had an ethos of opening up access to knowledge and skills. We know that amongst our staff, students, partner organisations and the wider public, there are a multitude of commercial ideas that could drive innovation forward and help society.

The Open Business Creators and Entrepreneurs in Residence projects helps to deliver the skills, mentoring and support needed to make these ideas a reality.”

Professor Kevin Shakesheff
Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at The Open University

Introducing the Entrepreneurs in Residence at the OU

Get involved

The OU will be relaunching the Open Business Creators Fund in January. With grants from £1,000 to £10,000 provided by the Higher Education Innovation Fund and Santander Universities, this funding competition will support individuals from the idea stage through to those running an early stage start-up.

Watch this space for more details about the competition and how to apply. In the meantime, those interested in taking part can contact RES-Student-Programmes@open.ac.uk with any questions.

Visit the Entrepreneurs Hub from the OU Careers & Employability Services team for advice on starting your business and the support available.

Take a free OpenLearn Entrepreneurship short course to help you transform your business idea into a reality.