Entrepreneurship
We believe that entrepreneurship is a driving force for a brighter and more inclusive future. We encourage business skills in our student community, collaborate with entrepreneurs across the globe through our research and support enterprise both locally and globally with our partnerships.
Entrepreneurs of the future
Our students get what they need to make a better future for themselves. Along with specialist skills for their subject, we help them develop the right flexible outlook for their career. We get them thinking in the right way to adapt to new challenges and learn new things quickly.
The success of our approach is seen in a 2020 study that ranked us 7th best of 121 universities for graduates looking to start or manage a business. Almost one in seven (13.51%) of our alumni manage or own a business.
Global support for student business
In Dubai, our Centre of Innovation and Entrepreneurship helps students to carry out business and creative activities, as part of the Dubai Future Foundations’ entrepreneurship programme.
In Mauritius, our Middlesex Business Start-Up Competition gives students help to pitch their business idea. We recently took part in the Development Bank of Mauritius Campus Entrepreneur Challenge and HSBC Business Case Challenge.
In London, our Enterprise Development Hub supports around 600 students with new business ideas every year. Both students and alumni take part in our MDXcelerator start-up support programme and pitch for seed-funding. Locally, we encourage students and local residents to take their business ideas to the next level with The Entrepreneurial Barnet Competition that has a cash prize fund of £15,000.
Business that drives equitable and sustainable economies
Middlesex’s Business School has shown that well financed small and medium enterprise (SME) innovations can drive future socially equitable, sustainable economies. Researchers provide guidance to government on how to improve small business innovation financing and support services in a sustainable way.
SMEs supporting the UK economy
Robyn Owen, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance, explains the national role of SMEs:
“Small and medium enterprises – from start-ups to rapid scale-up businesses – contribute hugely to the UK economy. They are diverse, local, employers that drive inclusive development.
Sustainable entrepreneurship is the bedrock of future economies. The urgent requirements to address Just Transition to Net Zero, Biodiversity retention and regional levelling-up of economies require greater awareness and empowerment of entrepreneurs to develop sustainable, purposeful businesses.”
Global benefits of SMEs
Bianca Stumbitz, Senior Research Fellow, has shown the global importance of these businesses:
“As reproduction and employment issues are becoming increasingly prominent in policy discussions promoting inclusive development, SMEs play a key role in extending maternity protection and reproductive rights at work.
Our research confirmed that maternity protection can be affordable to SMEs and provide substantial firm-level and broader societal benefits. We have demonstrated the feasibility and affordability of some low-cost supports, like breastfeeding and informal childcare support. This is possible even in highly resource-scarce contexts in the Global South, for example informal economy workplaces.”