Exciting opportunities available for budding entrepreneurs in our alumni community
Have you recently graduated and thinking about starting your own business, or becoming a freelancer? Newcastle University’s START UP team is here to support you.
16 April 2026
Dedicated support designed to help new graduates turn ambition into action
Did you know that if you graduated from Newcastle University in the past two years, you’re eligible to receive support from the award-winning START UP team?
And this spring, they’re offering two exciting opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to get their business idea off the ground! So, whether you’re toying with a start‑up idea, freelancing on the side, or already running an early-stage business, read on to discover how we can help you’re your ambition into action.
Equity-free grant funding up to £3,000
Funding is often one of the biggest barriers to getting started. That’s why START UP offers equity‑free grant funding of up to £3,000 to help turn well‑researched ideas into reality.
Our START UP team can work with you to prepare you for grant funding opportunities, which are suitable for well-designed and researched pre-start and early-stage start-ups, freelancers and social enterprises.
You don’t need to have all the answers. Our START UP team can help you understand what funding might be appropriate and how to strengthen your application.
Climb26: Helping future founders ascend
We’re excited to offer our alumni and student entrepreneurs an opportunity to win a free ticket to the UK’s most dynamic festival for business growth and innovation!
Climb26 brings together founders, investors, and industry leaders for two powerful days of learning and networking.
START UP are offering 10 exclusive 2-Day tickets plus £100 towards travel expenses for students and recent graduates who are working on their business or social enterprise and ready to grow.
At Climb26, you’ll:
- Connect directly with investors actively backing new ventures
- Learn from founders who’ve already scaled successful businesses
- Meet partners and supporters who can help unlock your next stage of growth
All you have to do is complete the application form and send a 3-minute video pitching your business and why you want to attend Climb26, by Sunday 24 May.
START UP 101
Beyond grants and opportunities like Climb26, START UP offers one‑to‑one support, guidance, and signposting to help you navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own, they’re here to help you build confidence, clarity, and momentum.
And if you’re still unsure whether entrepreneurship is right for you? That’s absolutely fine. Talking things through now could save you time (and stress) later.
One of the biggest misconceptions about START UP support is that you need a fully launched company to be eligible. In reality, START UP work with students and recent graduates at all stages, including:
- Those with an early idea they want to test
- Graduates thinking about self‑employment or freelancing
- Early‑stage start‑ups looking to grow
- Social enterprise founders wanting to create impact
If you’re motivated, curious, and willing to explore your idea — that’s enough to get started. Book a one-to-one appointment with the team to start the conversation.