Business summer school proves an online hit

A summer school helping entrepreneurial students who want to start their own business attracted nearly 300 sign ups from all over the world.

Students and graduates from 15 different countries, including students enrolled in five of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU)’s partner universities around the world, logged on for online classes led by DMU Works Enterprise team.


It has been such a success that the team is now taking bookings for more sessions in the autumn. Two three-day workshops are being run, one for product-based businesses, and one for service-based businesses.  

Simon Baines, DMUworks Enterprise Manager said “We were blown away by the response to our first online Startup Schools this June, with over 280 students and graduates signing up. 

“Our workshops are put together by Vikesh Mistry from our team.  He’s a DMU graduate himself who has been there and done it all when it comes to both starting a business and supporting others to launch or grow theirs.   

“The response we had first time around was fantastic so we can’t wait to run our sessions again in the autumn.   Regardless of what your business idea is, how big or how small you think it is, get involved”.

The online DMUWorks Enterprise Startup Schools are free, open to ALL De Montfort University students and graduates and will help participants to make their business ideas a reality.

The summer school will cover a range of topics, which include:

·       COVID-19 – Opportunities in crisis: What does the pandemic mean for startups?
·       Launch - Starting a business without cash
·       Finance – Grants, loans and crowdfunding
·       Marketing – Branding and social media
·       E-commerce – Websites and apps
·       Legal - Setting-up and copyright
·       Tax – Do I need to pay it?

Every participant will have the opportunity to have a 1-2-1 support session with the DMUworks Enterprise team following the workshops and participants who attend all three sessions will receive a Startup Resource Pack full of extra resources.

The dates for the new start-up schools are: product-based businesses 3-5 November, service-based businesses, 17-19 November.  

How do I sign up?


The schools are open to all DMU students and graduates, included those located overseas.  You can register for either the Product-based Startup School or Service-based Startup School here

Students who took the summer school said they had received a lot of value from the sessions and help taking their business ideas a step forward.

Yasar Mahmood said: “Also, I’d like to mention how helpful this course has been. I’ve learned a lot of new things that I’d have never thought. Thanks for this opportunity, it’s been amazing.”

Rohit Mohite said: “Honestly, I cannot express the support you and Simon are offering to DMU graduates. I feel really proud of be part DMU Family :)”

Agata Gosciniewicz added:”In the Start-up summer school I had a chance to ask my questions and I got great feedback. Thank you for that. & Thank you once again for all those 3 days, it was really great and helpful in my opinion."