Venture Crawl is one day when students are introduced to the diverse entrepreneurial eco-system in London. Students from universities all over the world now take part in this annual event with students in the US, Africa and Asia now being inspired to innovate by the event. The day kicked off with Loughborough students from across both campuses being joined in Future Space by students from Queen Mary University and University of East London for a panel introducing the local east London ecosystem. Students were treated to baked goods from one of east London’s oldest Bakery’s Rinkoffs and a chat with Hackney Council, local Innovation agency SHIFT, startup founders and a £200m philanthropic investment fund.
The Loughborough Crawl continued with visits to local co-worker, artist space and business accelerators, Hackney Bridge, The Trampery and Two More Years. Loughborough’s final stop saw them meet up with the DOHE Groups Ed Tech Accelerator at Horizon 22, London’s highest viewing platform, Horizon 22. As with 2023 there was a focus on sustainability with students walking or taking public transport between stops.
London’s Venture Crawl then culminated with a pitch off co-hosted by Loughborough University London’s Ben Cole. The pitch off saw all universities putting forward a pitch champion to compete for the biggest prize of all – the pride of being named Venture Crawl champion.
Nina Suresh Nair one of the Loughborough students attending said
“Venture Crawl was amazing, so informative and inspiring and a great opportunity for students to see the support that is there is start a business in London.”
Professor Jo Tacchi, Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience at Loughborough University London said
“Venture Crawl is an event in our annual calendar that really typifies the student experience here at Loughborough University London. For entrepreneurially curious students it gives them a real opportunity to connect and network with the support available in London. Students end the day not just understanding opportunities to innovate but being connected truly connected to them. We are lucky to have the Future Space team putting these events on.”
For more information about Venture Crawl and Loughborough Enterprise Network and to get involved in enterprising events please contact LEN@lboro.ac.uk