Leicester leading as a startup capital research shows

Compiling a list of the top 20 UK cities to start up a venture, AAT looked at stats such as digital connectivity, closure rates and density of small businesses. Leicester came out as number three on this list after Brighton and Cambridge, but impressively topped cities like London (9^th) and Nottingham (20^th).

Our University actively seeks to contribute toward this success by supporting student start-ups and local businesses to thrive through innovative programmes aimed at developing a range of skills, attitudes and behaviours which enable an individual to develop and grow an existing business, design an enterprising organisation or set up a new business of their own. 

Previous University of Leicester student, Suleman Sacranie (pictured), is just one example of the many exciting success stories that demonstrate the institution’s approach to developing enterprising skills among its student body. An award-winning entrepreneur and mentor, Suleman started and sold his first company at the age of 19. At 21 he started the online ‘99p Shopper’ franchise, successfully securing a bursary and mentoring from the Enterprise Inc project (part funded by ERDF) via the University’s award winning Career Development Service.

Paying back the support he received throughout his entrepreneurial journey, Suleman will soon be appearing in a new BBC TV series helping would-be whizzkids.  He has been chosen to be one of six ‘business buddies’ advising the young stars of Pocket Money Pitch, a new series which starts on BBC One on Monday 8 February.

The University works hard to connect budding student and graduate entrepreneurs to this community through a range of programmes and initiatives, such as a regular Business Start-up Café networking event which brings together entrepreneurs, local business leaders, academic business champions and students. 

• University graduates and students can take advantage of networking opportunities and start-up resources here
• Press release