The University of Westminster’s long-standing commitment to providing students with access to excellent entrepreneurial support as well as to helping businesses thrive with the support of research activities has been reflected in the 2025 Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF5), an annual assessment of knowledge exchange activities by Research England.
Based on the data provided by the University, KEF5 put the University in the “very high engagement” bracket in the Graduate Start-up Rates by Students category, reflecting the University’s commitment to supporting the entrepreneurial ambitions of its students. In the Contract Research Income with SME and non-SME Business category, the University received a “high engagement” result, signalling that collaborating with businesses through research is another high priority area for the University.
Westminster’s focus on career readiness is driven by its mission of helping its students from a variety of backgrounds realise their full potential. Supporting Westminster students’ entrepreneurial ambitions is a key part of the University’s aim for Zone29, its new home for careers and enterprise, which is due to open in Spring 2026. Zone29 provides students and graduates with access to work-related programmes, opportunities and experiences.
Westminster students have access to the Westminster Enterprise Network (WeNetwork), the University’s award-winning entrepreneurial network. In the last academic year, WeNetwork saw the highest ever student engagement rate with over 3600 students supported. It brings together students and recent graduates with industry to develop their entrepreneurial skills, engage in self-employment work and create businesses.
By joining WeNetwork, students and alumni have the access to events, workshops, experienced mentors in the industry and funding opportunities. The programmes students can get involved in include the Westminster Big Idea Competition, the University’s annual student and graduate business idea and innovation competition, and the Elevate business support programme for recent alumni.
The Ignite Fund is also available to Westminster students, with 167 budding entrepreneurs benefitting in the last academic year. The Ignite Fund provides funding to help students realise their potential through a dream project, whether that is buying equipment, paying for a course, developing a website or setting up a business. The applications are now open for this academic year.
Elizabeth Ola, 2024 Business Management (Entrepreneurship) BA Honours graduate, who founded TRU SKN in November 2022 while undertaking her undergraduate studies, benefited from the University’s Big Idea Competition, Elevate programme and Ignite Fund. Her business has recently been named by Cosmopolitan as one of 17 Black-owned beauty brands everyone should know about. She said: “The University has been instrumental in my entrepreneurial journey, always there to offer support and guidance. I am thankful for their constant belief in my business and their willingness to assist in any way they can.”
Linsey Cole, Director of Business Engagement and Graduate Futures at the University of Westminster, said: "Our strong KEF assessment reflects the University’s commitment to supporting our students to develop the enterprise and entrepreneurship skills they need to succeed on graduation. Our entrepreneurial alumni and supporters are a central part of this work, sharing their experiences, insights and knowledge with the next generation of Westminster entrepreneurs. This is particularly important for us at Westminster and reflects our commitments to social mobility, with 58% of our students being the first in their family to come to University."
Being a gateway to the University, Zone29 will also facilitate Westminster’s collaboration with external partners, for example through knowledge exchange partnerships like contract research. The University reports a high engagement rate with contract research with both small and medium-sized enterprises in comparison to similar universities, according to KEF5.
Zone29 will open in spring 2026 at 29 Marylebone Road (Image: University of Westminster)
Contract research is a way for the University to work toward its strategic goal of creating a positive impact for its business partners through innovation, enterprise and problem-solving. For example, the Westminster Research Centre for Optimal Health, led by Professor Jimmy Bell and Professor Louise Thomas, aims to enhance understanding of the accelerated ageing process. Their work has been in collaboration with a diverse range of industrial partners including Perspectum Diagnostics, Calico LLC, AMRA, Antidote LDN and The Guy Foundation Family Trust.
Dr Rajarshi Banerjee MD, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Perspectum Ltd, said: “Working with Jimmy and Louise since 2013 has been transformative for the field of quantitative MRI and understanding how obesity affects our internal organs. Their academic leadership and prowess have guided our product development, and together we have improved the way we diagnose and treat illness in people living with obesity using state-of-the-art MRI that is cost-effective."
As well as building on existing relationships with external partners the University will use Zone29 as a space to further develop new partnerships.
Professor Andrew Linn, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange, said: ”KEF5 shows once again that knowledge generated at our University is making a real difference in the world as we work in partnership with businesses and third sector organisations to secure funding, harnessing the commercial potential of our expertise. While our students are starting new enterprises thanks to the support and expertise our University can provide, businesses are increasingly turning to us to help them address their challenges. This is knowledge exchange in action, and our work at Zone29 and beyond will help us to take this to the next level.”
The University’s ambitions for Zone29 directly contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10: Reduced Inequalities and 17: Partnership for the Goals. 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.
Find out more about Zone29, the University’s new home of careers and enterprise.
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