Cranfield School of Management

Start-up & Investment Readiness Programme

• Click here to watch video overview of the Upstart programme (requires Media player)
• Click here to listen to BBC radio interview about the Upstart programme (real media)
• Click here to download the brochure (pdf)

The Upstart Method

The Cranfield Upstart Programme develops business start-ups and makes them ready for investment. It helps entrepreneurs to evaluate their business ideas (often involving reformulation) so that they can generate a feasible business start-up strategy. The programme also addresses the challenge of growth and the need to de-risk the venture. Financing in stages and sourcing different types of finance are central themes. The objective is to develop a new venture strategy that creates a win-win situation for both entrepreneurs and investors.

Performance Milestones

The Upstart programme is focused on achieving 4 major milestones in the process of making a business venture ready for investment. These are:

The programme consists of a series of lectures, proof of concept tasks, workshops, mentoring and feedback sessions on participants' progress. Candidates are given advice in terms of what they need to do/achieve in order to develop their venture and make it attractive for investment. They are immersed in Cranfield's extensive network of entrepreneurs and investors.

The Results

The programme was launched in 2006 with support from Business Links, Milton Keynes Enterprise Hub, Invest Milton Keynes and HEIF as part of the Pitch MK. The participants on the programme were dedicated, worked hard and by the end had achieved the following great results. Prior to pitching for £.0.5million in finance at the Pitch MK event on November 22nd a sum of over £1.5million had already been supplied/offered to the applicants since they were accepted onto the programme. Over 70% of participants had offers of external finance - way above the national average. 75% of successful programme applicants secured adequate finance for their venture before, and opted not to Pitch on, November 22nd. A week later the total amount of finance offered had risen to £2.6 million.

Joining or using the Upstart program

At present the Upstart programme is only available on a group booking basis to corporations, enterprise agencies, and organisations looking to develop new ventures, entrepreneurial skills and an enterprise culture among their employees and/or the local community. Sometimes it is possible to accommodate private individuals on these programmes. For further information about the programme please contact Cranfield's Bettany Centre for Entrepreneurial Performance. Email louise.gardener@cranfield.ac.uk, phone 01234 758104.

 Comments from Previous UpStart Members:

“Upstart programme in my mind is one of the most beneficial programmes I have attended, as an entrepreneur. Unlike other schemes, upstart focuses on giving you first hand knowledge from successful entrepreneurs and pioneering academics in the field of management and startups. The course played a major role in successfully establishing Kwiqq and wining Business Week's Europe's Young Entrepreneur 2007."

Raj Anand, Founder of www.Kwiqq.com

“I found the Upstart program to be exactly what my business needed. It enabled me to take a step back from the day to day activities and look at the big picture.  Professor Burke and Dr Hussels were wonderful, sharing insight, experience and skills that enabled Organic Apoteke to grow at an unbelievable rate. I would like to thank you.”