Elevate business support programme | University of Westminster, London

Elevate is WeNetwork’s business support programme for Westminster graduates who own an early stage business registered and operating in the UK. The six-month programme offers tailored and strategic support to put the participating businesses on a pathway to growth, focusing on increased revenue generation and optimisation of processes.

A key feature of Elevate is the provision of up to £10,000 equity-free programme funding for the selected businesses. Participants access executive-level training and work with the programme team to strategically allocate the programme funding into the areas of the business that will generate revenue growth.

The funding is released in tranches based on meeting key milestones throughout the duration of the programme. If milestones are not achieved, WeNetwork reserves the right to delay or stop the release of the funding and/or remove participants from the programme.

Feedback from previous cohort participants

Programme structure

Key offerings	key outcomes
Programme Advisor for 1:1 guidance and regular progress reviews throughout Accountability to share progress made to-date Strategic business planning Industry relevant mentoring Network of subject experts In-person interactive workshops Online follow-on support Peer to peer learning Access to skilled students and graduate talent Marketing and PR opportunities via the university	Increase revenue generation and market visibility Improve overall financial sustainability of the company Practice applying new business processes to generate positive impact in the company Founders develop leadership and strategy skills Deeper understanding of target users and markets Optimisation of processes using digital tools and AI Develop network of relevant industry and business contacts

Eligibility criteria

Founders	Businesses
Participants to be a founder, co-founder or director of a registered and trading business in the UK with majority ownership Recent graduate of the University of Westminster Ambitious, committed and passionate about building and growing a successful business Be an active member of the cohort Open to sharing their experience and their progress with cohort and programme team Open to doing things differently in their business to generate change Capacity to fully participate in the programme whilst building business and implementing new processes through the course of the programme	A clear and compelling vision and mission Businesses or SMEs to evidence how they solve a problem with a product or service where there is market demand Clear unique selling point and market positioning Clear positive social, environmental and or economic impact on society Evidence of work done to date and initial market traction - actual customer or users acquired, commercial contracts, pilot tests, etc Evidence of having built and tested a Minimum Viable Product with test users or sold their first products or services to early adopters Identified areas of the business where guidance is needed to generate growth Business to operate using Objectives and Key Results plan for the duration of the programme

Founders

Businesses

Participants to be a founder, co-founder or director of a registered and trading business in the UK with majority ownership
Recent graduate of the University of Westminster
Ambitious, committed and passionate about building and growing a successful business
Be an active member of the cohort
Open to sharing their experience and their progress with cohort and programme team
Open to doing things differently in their business to generate change
Capacity to fully participate in the programme whilst building business and implementing new processes through the course of the programme

A clear and compelling vision and mission
Businesses or SMEs to evidence how they solve a problem with a product or service where there is market demand
Clear unique selling point and market positioning
Clear positive social, environmental and or economic impact on society
Evidence of work done to date and initial market traction - actual customer or users acquired, commercial contracts, pilot tests, etc
Evidence of having built and tested a Minimum Viable Product with test users or sold their first products or services to early adopters
Identified areas of the business where guidance is needed to generate growth
Business to operate using Objectives and Key Results plan for the duration of the programme

How to apply

To apply, you will need to do the following:

Complete and submit an application form

Applications for the next Elevate cohort are expected to open in October 2025. In the meantime, you can register your interest and receive an email update once applications open.

Feedback from previous cohort participants

Programme structure

Eligibility criteria

How to apply

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