Congratulations to the founders of Tasel who have graduated from YCombinator’s startup school. Thanks for Ycombinator for facilitating such an awesome program for founders. The program is a 10-week online course for founders actively pursuing their own startup. The partners, lectures and group sessions are invaluable and highly recommended for anyone in the trenches building a startup. The program’s goals are to-;

1. Encourage and inspire people to consider starting a company as a way to positively impact the world.
2. Teach people how to start a startup, and equip them with the resources and tools to help prepare them now and in the future.
3. Build a community of entrepreneurs who can encourage, teach and support one another.

Yesterday marked the first year-end of Coventry University’s tech incubator program. A 12-month program that saw 8 students journey to proof the concept turn their ideas into a startup. The results were more than expected, 100% attendance record and 8 completing and graduating the program. Their ideas won over £10,000 in grant funding from Santander universities. “I attend many of these pitches across the country and the calibre and quality of ideas, founder and pitches from Coventry University was unmatched” echoed by Michael Durkin, Business Relationship Director, Santander Business.

Students on the program were able to secure partnerships worth £100,000. Honourable mentions to the founder of Minted & Skyfarer Elliot Parnham who received investment from Coventry university and secured a partnership with cuebusinesssolutions. And Alejandro Perez whose startup (IUDRO)has partnered with Vodaphone to create and develop a drone education program schools across the UK.

Darren Jones (52global consulting) a mentor on the program highlighted, ” They are income-generating and essentially the startups are developed into far more realistic plans for execution. They are now primed and ready to execute what they have been developing for the past year, with competence and confidence”.

Auctus Grad founder invited to be part of the judging panel at the young enterprise competition. The overall winner on the night was team Imperium. They came up with an innovative product to help students through Exams periods. Stress Less is an interactive exam revision pack, that combines revision tips with really useful advice on sleep and wellbeing.  QR codes direct students to a relaxing music playlist and an online quiz helps students personalise exam methods that suit them best. As a business adviser, Morgan L. will continue to support and develop student companies within the Young enterprise ecosystem.