Community Socials
Connect, create and collaborate – join our START UP socials to meet like-minded students, spark new ideas, and get inspired by the world of entrepreneurship
START UP Community Socials
Thinking about freelancing, starting a business, or launching a social enterprise? Our START UP Community socials are designed for Newcastle students and graduates who are curious about self-employment in all its forms.
Across the series, you’ll hear from guest speakers who’ve been where you are now - sharing stories of how they started, the skills that helped them succeed, the mistakes they learned from and how they’ve used self-employment to create change.
Whether you’re just exploring ideas, building your toolkit or looking for inspiration to take the leap, this series will give you real-world insights, relatable stories, and a supportive space to imagine your own possibilities.
From Idea to Income - Wednesday 15 October
How to tell if your idea is innovative and profitable
Ever wondered how a spark of inspiration becomes a thriving business? Join us for an evening of stories and strategies from three founders who’ve turned bold ideas into successful ventures. You’ll hear how they recognised opportunities, overcame challenges, and built businesses that make an impact as well as a profit.
Skills & Survival - The Freelancer’s Toolkit - Wednesday 10 December
Freelancing offers freedom, but finding and managing clients is often the toughest part. From setting your rates to building lasting relationships, the path isn’t always straightforward. This session brings together experienced freelancers to share what they wish they’d known at the start - the tools, tactics and mindset shift that helped them not just survive but thrive.
Shift or Stick - Navigating Setbacks - Wednesday 28 January
Every start-up journey hits bumps in the road, but how do you know if you’re facing a temporary setback, or if it’s time to pivot? In this session, founders share their experiences of turning challenges into opportunities and the critical decisions that shaped their paths.
Purpose & Possibility - Beyond Profit - Wednesday 18 March
Self-employment isn’t just about income - it’s also about impact. In this session, we’ll hear from co-founders and social entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses with purpose at their core. They’ll share how collaboration sparked their ventures, the challenges and rewards of working with partners and the difference their work is making in the world.
We’ll explore how you can align your career with your values, find collaborators who share your vision, and imagine the kind of future you want to create - one that balances profit with purpose.