The extraordinary number of start-ups – a fledgling company in its initial stages – being fostered by Bedfordshire ranks it the highest in the East of England region, with the best year for start-ups led by alumni coming in 2014/15 when 196 exciting new ventures began.

HESA’s data demonstrates the continued success of University of Bedfordshire graduates and provides an insight into the invaluable nature of business and career support that the University provides its students after they leave the institution.

Inspiring examples of start-ups emanating from the University in the period since 2014 include Marketing graduate Greg Dorban who launched his Comfy Workers accommodation start-up in October 2020. Secondary Mathematics PGCE alumni, Wayne Cartmel, also got commercially active with education recruitment platform MyNewTerm in 2019, going on to hire three Bedfordshire graduates and provide a crucial service to hundreds of clients.

Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, Professor Andrew Church, commented:

“It is outstanding news that we are the most successful higher education institution in the region for start-up creation as it shows that we are producing innovative, dynamic and determined graduates who have been well-equipped for entrepreneurship by their time with us.

“We will continue to work with our partners in the region to provide support for these companies, helping them grow and contribute to the economy locally, nationally and even internationally.”

Start-up businesses such as Greg and Wayne’s are just two of the many which have sought free support from the University’s Research and Innovation team, which offers vital provision of expertise and financial aid to small and medium sized businesses across the East of England.

Budding regional entrepreneurs will also be able to soon take advantage of a new Master of Business Administration course delivered by the University of Bedfordshire’s Business School, funded by the European Social Fund. The course, part of the University’s four-stage Pathways4Recovery offer, will launch in February 2022.

Dr Rhidian Lewis, Associate Dean of Enterprise & Employability at the Business School, added:

“Everybody at the University is proud to see how many of our graduates are going on to become successful entrepreneurs, drawing on skills learned with us. Successful start-ups are not only essential to the expansion and diversification of the local, regional and national economy but also provide inspiring examples for our current students to follow.

“Through the provision of support to these new graduate businesses, we build strong relationships between our institution and the region’s entrepreneurs which are mutually beneficial and help progress the area economically.”

Graduates from the University of Bedfordshire also receive lifetime support from its Careers & Employability Service.