WeNetwork – graduates share start-up experiences with budding entrepreneurs

Bringing together colleagues, students, recent graduates and entrepreneurs, WeNetwork – the Westminster Enterprise Network – is an award-winning enterprise and innovation hub.

The Westminster Enterprise Network (WeNetwork) is a vibrant, engaged community of Westminster colleagues, students and recent graduates with an interest in working freelance, starting a business or innovating within a traditional company.

WeNetwork run a programme of events and masterclasses in partnership with businesses, employers and external organisations to help budding entrepreneurs manage and leverage their career portfolios. This includes:

• expert-led workshops and inspirational talks
• industry networking events
• one-to-one business advice and support
• paid freelance work and jobs listings
• innovation hackathons
• competitions for start-up funding

Originally launched in 2017 as the Creative Enterprise Centre (CEC), WeNetwork has won Enterprise Catalyst, Inclusive Enterprise Education and People’s Choice awards at National Enterprise Educator Awards 2023. The team were recognised for delivering exceptional enterprise and entrepreneurship education, having engaged over 3,000 students in extra- and co-curricular enterprise activities in the centre’s first two years.

Find out more about WeNetwork and starting or growing a business.

If you'd like to get involved or have ideas for events, activities or initiatives that can support inclusive enterprise, working with our colleagues, students or graduates, contact us at [email protected].

SkillsLab enables graduate business founders to inspire next generation

In March 2022, WeNetwork organised an online panel discussion providing students and recent graduates with a unique opportunity to hear directly from other alumni who had successfully started a business during the pandemic.

This SkillsLab, Alumni Spotlight: Growing a Business in a Pandemic, focussed on the different challenges businesses are now facing to start, grow and survive across a variety of industries. The panel answered questions about their biggest challenges, what skills have helped them succeed and what their future goals are.

The conversation was hosted by Lenna Lou, Director of Strategy at Westminster Business Council, London’s premier networking group, and Founder of The L Factor, a consultancy firm which helps businesses to build and sustain relationships for effective collaboration and partnerships around the world. Lenna not only ensured discussion remained relevant, but also shared her own insight as a highly experienced business leader and entrepreneur. 

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