• Overview
• Champions
• Project Aims and Objectives
• Evaluation

A recent independent report by EKOS found:

• The estimated potential return on investment of the NW Enterprise Champions project 6:1  

• Net additional GVA of £6,415,950 

• and 176 gross new businesses & 50 net additional jobs

Stimulating enterprise and entrepreneurship across our higher education institutions is now seen by many governments as fundamental to driving economic success and social cohesion. The European Union promotes the 'fostering of entrepreneurial mindsets' for all young people. In the UK, the government and devolved administrations encourage and support increases in the scale and diversity of students and graduates taking up entrepreneurial opportunities.

The HE Enterprise Champions Project in the North West Region of England is supported by the NWDA, financed by EU funding and is managed by NCEE in partnership with NWUA. The project first started in 2008. The Phase 2 project runs from 2010 to 2013.

Project awards were provided to 10 institutions in Phase One. 8 institutions from the North West region are engaged in Phase 2. The project supports the creation of a Senior-Level Enterprise Champion who will act as a catalyst for change across the campus. The participating institutions are:

• University of Bolton
• University of Chester
• Lancaster University
• University of Liverpool
• Liverpool John Moores University
• Manchester Metropolitan University
• Salford University
• University of Central Lancashire

What does this project aim to do?

• Increase the opportunities for entrepreneurship across the campus;
• Influence the institutional environment making it more conducive for student enterprise and graduate entrepreneurship;
• Build institutional capacity for delivering entrepreneurial outcomes – for students, graduates and staff;
• Raise student/graduate motivation for entrepreneurial career/life;
• Convert student intent and aspiration into entrepreneurial action;
• Develop areas of professional excellence in practising entrepreneurship as showcase exemplars;
• Deliver impact – new businesses, new jobs and enhanced entrepreneurial skills

What are the benefits?

The NW HE Enterprise Champions Project plays a strategic and practical role in enabling HEIs to:

• become a more entrepreneurial university or college, unlocking the potential of its staff, students and graduates;
• connect more meaningfully with key stakeholders and regional agencies;
• influence policies and practices in shaping the environment for enterprise and entrepreneurship;
• deliver a more meaningful experience for staff, students and graduates.

What is the impact?

Overall this project will deliver 296 new graduate start-ups; 313 new jobs; and 761 students and graduates assisted with converting their entrepreneurial aspirations into tangible outcomes.

Additionally and more broadly:

• More enterprising graduates creating opportunities in existing organisations in the public and private sectors;
• More graduate entrepreneurs creating opportunities for wealth and job creation;
• More HEIs with increased capacity for entrepreneurship – attractive for recruiting and retaining students.

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