START UP Summer Launchpad
3 days. Expert advice.
09:30 - 11:30 - Indie Business Breakfast
Kickstart your morning with an energising breakfast networking event designed for students and graduates who are curious about turning ideas into businesses.
Whether you’re at the earliest stage of exploring a concept or already building something, this session connects you with the people and insight that can help you move forward at your own pace. You’ll meet a dynamic mix of peers and experienced voices from the regional business community - around half of the attendees will be coming from outside the University, including local founders and organisations that specialise in business support and growth.
This is an opportunity to expand your network, find potential collaborators, and get plugged into the wider ecosystem of mentors, advisers, and enterprise support partners who can help you accelerate when the time feels right.
The event also features a 30-minute talk and Q&A with Dr Lewis Potter BEM, alumnus and founder of Geeky Medics and SimChat. Lewis will share his journey from idea to impact, offering practical insights and reflections from his entrepreneurial path.
Expect open, honest conversations about the realities of building a business: the pivots, the wins and the inevitable challenges.
👉 Book now
10:00-12:30 - Launch Surgeries
Getting close to launching a business? Our Launch Surgeries are designed to help you make that final push.
These small-group sessions bring together students and graduates who are already building a business and are nearing launch. You’ll work with an experienced Business Adviser and a small cohort of peers to tackle the key things that need to happen next - from tightening your offer to planning your go-to-market strategy.
Come with a clear focus. Whether you’re validating your idea, preparing to go live, or working through last-minute decisions, you’ll get practical input, honest feedback and the chance to learn from others at a similar stage.
The group format means you won’t just get advice - you’ll hear different approaches, spot common challenges, and leave with sharper thinking and stronger momentum.
Spaces are limited, so booking is essential.
👉 If you are interested in joining, please email rebecca.innes@newcastle.ac.uk by Thursday 30 May with a summary of yourself, your business and your availability against the following slots:
10:00-10:30 – online with Allison Nicks
10:00-10:30 in-person with Alan Dodsworth
11:00-11:30 - in-person with Allison Nicks
11:00-11:30 - online with Alan Dodsworth
12:00-12:30 - online with Allison Nicks
12:00-12:30 - in-person with Alan Dodsworth
13:00-15:00 - Expert Drop-ins
Got a business idea in development but looking for some guidance? Drop in and get practical, expert advice - all in one place.
Join us at the START UP co-working space for a relaxed, 2-hour session where you can speak directly with professionals across legal, finance, sales, and marketing. Whether you’re just exploring an idea or already building something, this is your chance to get tailored guidance on the areas that matter most.
You’ll have the opportunity to chat with experts from across the regional start-up ecosystem.
Ask questions, sense-check your ideas, and get clarity on topics like protecting your intellectual property, managing finances, building your brand, and reaching customers. No pitches, no pressure - just honest, practical advice to help you move forward.
Drop in at any point during the session and speak to the people most relevant to you. If you can’t make it in person, limited online slots are also available.
Come along, bring your questions and leave with clearer next steps.
👉 Book now
15:00-16:00 - Accountxble Club
Struggling to stay on track with your ideas? This focused, one-hour session is designed to help you turn good intentions into clear, achievable commitments.
Join #StartedatNCL alumni business Accountxable Club for this practical workshop where you’ll take time to define what you want to get done and how you’re going to do it.
You’ll be guided through a simple process to set realistic goals, break them down into actionable steps and write your own commitment card - something tangible to keep you accountable beyond the session. Expect a supportive, no-pressure environment where you can think clearly, get focused, and start building momentum.
Whether you’re working on a business idea, a side project, or just trying to get unstuck, this session will help you move from “I should” to “I will”.
Come ready to think, decide and commit!
👉 Book now
10:00-16:00 - Coaching Drop-In
Need some focused time to talk things through? Book a 30-minute 1:1 coaching slot with Entrepreneurship and Start-up Consultant Rebecca Innes and get tailored support on whatever you’re working on.
These sessions are a chance to step away from the noise and have a proper conversation about your ideas, challenges or next steps. Whether you’re exploring an early-stage idea or already building something, you can use the time in whatever way is most useful - from clarifying your thinking to working through a specific problem.
You’ll leave with clearer direction, practical next steps and a bit more confidence in how to move forward.
👉 Limited 30-minute slots available. Booking is essential. If you are interested in joining, please email rebecca.innes@newcastle.ac.uk by Thursday 30 May with a summary of yourself, your business and your availability from 10:00-16:00 on Thursday 4 June.
13:00-17:00 - Start-up Ecosystem Crawl
Want to get a feel for the support available for founders in the North East? Join us for a guided tour of the start-up ecosystem to see it first-hand.
This small-group experience (max. 20 places) will take you behind the scenes of some of the region’s key start-up and growth spaces. You’ll visit the NatWest Accelerator and Barclays Eagle Labs at Grainger Hub, meeting the teams who support founders to start, scale and grow.
Along the way, you’ll get a clearer picture of what’s available locally - from funding and mentoring to workspace and networks - and how you can tap into it when the time is right.
We’ll wrap up at Wok Manifesto, where you’ll get a £10 food voucher and meet founder of Wok Manifesto, Wowza Box and Newcastle University alumnus Joshy Jin. Joshy will share his journey and answer your questions in an informal Q&A.
If you’re curious about building something of your own, this is a great way to get connected, ask questions and begin to see where you fit into the regional ecosystem.
Meeting point: the START UP co-working space, King's Gate building, Level 1.