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Student and Graduate Enterprise

Through supporting and inspiring our extraordinary students and graduates, everyone involved with Venture Lab helps to nurture innovation that positively impacts the world. In our Student and Graduate Enterprise brochure, you can read about our enterprise initiatives, see examples of impressive and impactful case studies, and hear from some of our inspirational alumni who support Venture Lab.
Read our brochure
Pink explosion with tapestry, demonstrating ideas and new ventures

Join our mission

  • Donate

    We rely on the generosity of our community to deliver our initiatives including prize, scholarship and programme funding.

  • Volunteer

    Whether as a mentor, a speaker at an event, or a guest speaker during our accelerator or summer school programmes, there are many opportunities to make a difference with your time and expertise.

  • Join our Alumni Entrepreneurs Network

    A welcoming community of aspiring, current, and former entrepreneurs to foster connections among our graduates.

  • Alumni Angel Investor Network

    Enabling students and graduates to pitch ideas for early-stage investment.

Get involved
Hazan Venture Lab - purpose-built space for entrepreneurship with many people in attendance networking

The Hazan Venture Lab is our first purpose-built space for entrepreneurship, made possible through a generous £500,000 donation by alumnus Jonathan Hazan.  

Group of students standing outside building wearing matching Venture Lab hoodies

The 2024 cohort of Venture Lab Summer Accelerator (VLSA), which helps aspirational entrepreneurs progress their startup ideas.

Alumni gathering and networking

The Alumni Entrepreneurs Network is one of Durham’s most active alumni groups, hosting regular events that bring together aspiring, current and former entrepreneurs, investors and sector leaders to support founders.

Natasha Boulding speaking in the Hazan Venture Lab

Dr Natasha Boulding, CEO and Co-Founder of Low Carbon Materials, Durham University spinout and Earthshot Prize 2022 Finalist, speaking to a group in the Hazan Venture Lab.

University student
It is an honour to work with the students and see first-hand the impact of my donation, which is providing opportunities they would not otherwise have had. I look forward to seeing Venture Lab continue to develop and inspire further generations to create transformational businesses.

Jonathan Hazan
Alumnus and donor

Venture Lab External Advisory Group

Venture Lab Advisory Group is made up of distinguished individuals from the forefront of industry, entrepreneurship, investment, academia and the public sector, including a number of prominent Durham University alumni, recognised as leading figures in their respective fields.

Get in touch

Join us on our mission to inspire the next generation of innovative leaders and entrepreneurs emerging from Durham University.