ImpactU Launches Groundbreaking Social Learning Hub to support University-Led Social Ventures to start and scale across the UK.
London, UK – Dec 8th, 2024
Offering a comprehensive suite of resources, including over 100 live workshops, 25+ expert-led online courses, and personalised learning paths, the HUB provides unparalleled access to training, events, and networking opportunities – all freely available to ImpactU member Universities on the ImpactU HUB.
The project also includes the Pathfinder Award, a £40,000 venture funding opportunity delivered by Oxford University Innovation (OUI).
Empowering Social Ventures Across UK Universities
The ImpactU HUB offers three distinct learning tracks to guide users at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey:
- Ignite: Designed for first-time founders, this introductory track teaches the foundations of social entrepreneurship, helping participants explore the “why” and “how” of launching a social venture.
- Launch: For those ready to bring their ideas to market, Launch offers practical guidance on market validation, user needs assessment, brand building, and funding strategies.
- Scale: Created for established ventures, this advanced track provides expertise on growth strategies, revenue generation, and maximising social impact.
Through the HUB, members can access up to £10,000 worth of curated learning resources, with the full suite of tools and courses available by March 2025.
University Collaboration and Collective Expertise
The ImpactU HUB is a testament to collaboration between leading universities and social venture experts, bridging the gap between academic innovation and real-world impact.
“Together, we have built an exciting offer that seeks to marry innovation with social impact, providing comprehensive, targeted support for social ventures across UK universities.” said Philippa Christoforou, Social Ventures Lead at OUI.
“The ImpactU Hub will be a one-stop shop for university-based social ventures to start, grow and scale their ventures. Our mission is to simplify the path to social entrepreneurship, fostering the growth of more social ventures from the university ecosystem and amplifying the impact of our institutions.” said Charlotte Rowan, Senior Research Innovation Manager at LSE.
“By co-designing and curating a diverse selection of world-class training, targeted funding, and a strong network of like-minded individuals, we’re setting the stage for transformative ventures that address society’s most pressing challenges.” said Blué O’Connor, ImpactU HUB Manager at LSE.
