Enterprise Support

Be The Boss

“Be The Boss” is an award winning programme of enterprise support aimed at students and graduates of the University of Derby who want to become self-employed.

Through a combination of action planning, one-to-one support provided by experienced business advisers, a series of workshops and other activities, you’ll be able to develop the skills you need to confidently set up and run your own new business. 

Click on the video below to hear from some of our previous participants as they share their journey from business idea to start-up. 

By participating in the “Be The Boss” programme you’ll benefit from:

• An initial 1:1 meeting with the Enterprise Manager. During this meeting we’ll work with you to identify your strengths and development needs and/or your business/social enterprise. We’ll also work with you to create a personalised action plan to help you when formulating your business plan
• Attend 10 x 2 hour workshops covering key topics:
  Is self-employment for me? Idea Development, Business Structures, Business Planning, Choosing and Attracting Customers, Pricing and Negotiation, Digital Marketing, Presenting and Pitching, Finding the Money, Finance and Financial Planning. Each workshop will include practical, hands-on activities which will equip you with knowledge and tools that you can immediately benefit from
• Support from an experienced business professional, during which you’ll be able to discuss all aspects of setting up and running a successful business/social enterprise. All meetings, which will be held on any campus or online, will be documented with agreed actions
• An opportunity to present your business plan to a panel of business advisers and receive constructive feedback
• An opportunity to pitch your business idea to a panel of business professionals to obtain up to £1,000 start-up funding
• A review meeting with the Enterprise Manager to discuss learning outcomes and track progress in setting up your new business/social enterprise.

In order to apply for the “Be The Boss” programme you must be a student or recent graduate i.e. have graduated within the last 3 years and have never registered a business/social enterprise.

You must also be able to participate and complete each of the planned activities and the necessary paperwork.

The following industry sectors are not supported by the "Be The Boss" programme. These include:

• Financial service sector businesses e.g. banks, insurance companies and financial advisers
• Establishments providing generalised (school age) education
• Purchase, building and renovation of property for residential use
• Gambling and/or provision of adult content

Find out more about the successes of our graduates in setting up their own businesses via Be The Boss (pdf. 13MB)

Apply now, or to find out more about the programme please call us on 01332 592680 or email betheboss@derby.ac.uk.