The University has been awarded a grant of £50,000 by the Santander Universities Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Fund to support students in developing digital business start-ups.
The award will be used for a ‘Digital Reboot’ – a series of events, activities and business collaborations to meet the growing demand for digital start-up business support and to enhance employability skills.
The Digital Reboot will build on the existing digital media activities of the University’s Hub for Innovation and Enterprise, with the main focus of the programme centred around the development of ideas from students, staff and recent alumni.
The award will support students looking to develop their own entrepreneurial skills, as well as engaging with the local business community to provide them with access to the innovation and creativity of the programme’s participants.
Santander has awarded £1 million to universities across the UK to deliver large-scale projects directly benefiting local people and driving economic benefits across the UK. Kent is one of 15 institutions to receive a grant from the fund, which was launched to celebrate Santander Universities’ 10th anniversary in the UK.
The key objectives of the fund include helping to start, run or grow a business, developing and promoting entrepreneurial skills, culture and mindsets, championing innovation within businesses and delivering economic, social or employment benefits to the local and national economies.
The Digital Reboot programme runs an annual competition and IT challenge. It will also provide new technology and equipment which will be made available to start-up businesses, workshops and summer camps, seed funding, as well as specialist business advisors who will provide bespoke guidance.