Venture Crawl 2023
On Wednesday 15 March 2023, the Loughborough Enterprise Network and FutureSpace team ran VentureCrawl- it was a massive success we had 52 students on a walking tour around London to visit the best workplaces and innovation hubs that London has to offer. We heard from inspiring entrepreneurs and discovered London’s entrepreneurial eco-system all in one day, starting with FutureSpace – Loughborough University London’s own space!
The first stop off campus was Plexal, an innovation company that solves societal challenges through collaboration on technology with government, startups, and industry. The second stop was Hackney Bridge, a brand new, canal-side public destination close to campus with a variety of small business food vendors.
The third stop was The Trampery Fish Island Village, London's newest campus for fashion, innovation, and sustainability, with new studios and facilities now open. The fourth stop was Workable, a vibrant shared workspace located in Stratford with a wonderful view over the Olympic park and London stadium.
Throughout the day, the students heard from inspiring entrepreneurs and gained valuable insights into the world of entrepreneurship. The students also had the opportunity to network with peers and real-world businesses, developing their entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.
“As an international student, venture crawl,wasa great opportunity for me to communicate people in several jobs/fields of study. I enjoyed meeting enterpreneurs nearby and hearing their experiences/chalenges. Also pitching the students business ideas was an impressive experience. Above all, going along with the awesome Future Space/LEN team was really inspiring.” - Loughborough University StudentThe mode of transport used for VentureCrawl 2023 was walking, which allowed the students to experience the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of London up close and personal. The event was oversubscribed, and we were delighted with the turnout and the success of the event.
“Being part of Loughborough’s Venture Crawl really is one of my best days at work. London has a world beating eco-system for entrepreneurs. Showing this off to our students over a whole day is always a joy. The fact our crawl all took place within no more than 500 metres of our campus really shows how much of London’s entrepreneurial network has moved Eastwards. We saw some amazing spaces and met some very cool people. I know we inspired many conversations and potential collaborations on the day and beyond. I am already looking forward to next year.”
Ben Cole - Head of Future Space and Strategic Projects
Overall, VentureCrawl 2023 was an incredible success, and it demonstrated the power of collaboration and innovation in the UK's entrepreneurial ecosystem. The students who participated in the event gained valuable insights and inspiration for their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
“the event provides a platform for the students to learn from successful entrepreneurs, network with peers, and gain inspiration for their own entrepreneurial endeavors. It is for all students those that are entrepreneurially curious or have exsiting ideas. We encourage all students to get involved with practical activities that challenge and excite them.’ - Hayley Jones - Student Enterprise Coordinator
Want to sign up for next year, join one of LENs communities to find out more about all of our upcoming events and details of next year’s VentureCrawlin due course here