Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc students from the University of Westminster have organised a Ready Set StartUP UK event to bridge entrepreneurship, television and digital media through panel discussions and a screening of alumnus Luis Kelly's Amazon Prime series Ready Set StartUP UK.
The session took place on 31 March at the Hogg Lecture Theatre at the University’s Marylebone Campus. The event was part of a business challenge organised for the module Enterprise Development as part of the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc.
The panel event aimed to create an engaging platform for business students eager to launch their own ventures. It offered networking opportunities, insights into media exposure and the chance to connect with industry professionals. Participants learnt from experienced entrepreneurs, engaged in meaningful discussions and explored potential collaborations to advance their business ideas.
Luis Kelly’s Amazon Prime series Ready Set StartUP UK (RSS), which he is the Creator and Executive Producer for, was screened as part of the event. Luis graduated with an Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc in 2018. His series showcases the challenges faced by start-up founders and early-stage entrepreneurs as they compete for a grand prize of £100,000. The show provides a realistic portrayal of the entrepreneurial journey, highlighting both the struggles and triumphs of building a business from the ground up.
The event was organised by Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc students, led by team leaders Diana Salas and Jil Greimann, and was hosted by Dr Luca Cacciolatti, Reader in Innovation and Marketing and Module Leader of Enterprise Development, and Supin Hussain, Course Leader for the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc.
After the screening Luis was joined by Lars Schwinges, an RSS Producer also known for Married at First Sight, The Only Way Is Essex and Love Island. Also in attendance were early-stage investment company SFC Capital Chief Operations Officer Angelika Burawska, SFC Capital Business Advisor Stephen Lindsay, RSS Sponsorship Producer Jacob Swann and Simon Atkins, Executive Producer and Host of RSS, and Producer of The Traitors, The Bachelor and The Voice.
Diana Salas commented: “As a student in the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc programme, organising the Ready Set StartUp UK panel event with my team was truly a transformative experience. It allowed me to step out of my comfort zone, pushed me to think on my feet and navigate unexpected challenges. I was so nervous leading up to the event, unsure of how it would unfold or whether the audience would engage with our esteemed panel members. However, every time I turned around to look at the audience engagement, I saw several students taking notes, which made me incredibly proud. The lively engagement from attendees, especially the questions they posed, demonstrated their keen interest in the discussions. I am grateful to our wonderful panelists for taking time out of their busy schedules to share their expertise and insights with us.”
Luis Kelly said: “It was such a pleasure to connect with the students, so many driven minds and exciting ideas in one room. Through Ready Set StartUP, I have always aimed to support entrepreneurs in those crucial early stages, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that spark of curiosity and ambition firsthand. Being on the panel was a joy. The students came with passion and purpose, and I loved being able to share my experience and hopefully spark some momentum for their startup journeys. What stood out the most was how thoughtful and engaged everyone was. These students are not just thinking about the future, they are building it. I am grateful that Ready Set StartUP could play even a small part in their journey.”
This event directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Learn more about the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc course at the University of Westminster.
