The South Bank Works Incubator Programme is a structured set of classes, mentoring, peer-support, networking, and more! The incubator is arranged around three different sprints to validate (test your idea and understand it’s viability), build (understand how to build the business or freelancing operations), and grow (learn more about the investment landscape). It’s FREE!
South Bank Works
Validate your idea, build your business, and grow as an entrepreneur.Work. Innovate. Excel.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES MORE OPPORTUNITIES
SOUTH BANK WORKS INCUBATOR
Express your interest in joining a cohort of founders and freelancers with the space, structure, and support to work on your idea.
Read more Read moreStart-Up Funding
£500 for your new business – on us. Get reimbursed for expenses.
Read more Read moreHost a Stall
Sell your product or get feedback from users. Express your interest.
Read more Read moreHelp & Support
You bring the idea; we’ll bring the support! Book a 1-2-1 appointment.
Read more Read moreValidate, Build, and Grow
Excel as a founder, freelancer, side hustler, and dreamer with South Bank Works.
LSBU's Incubator Programme offers expert-led masterclasses, personalised mentoring, a vibrant community, and a central co-working space to energise your progress.
The application deadline to join the 2024/2025 cohort has passed. But you can express your interest. Complete the form to connect with us and to learn about opportunities to onboard into the programme.
£15K Value
Free For You!
The South Bank Works Incubator Programme offers £15,000 worth of structure, support, and space so you can achieve your milestones...for FREE!
💡 £7K/Year of Programme and Personal Support, Including Masterclasses, 1-2-1 Expert Mentoring, and Peer-Lead Masterminds
🏢 £7K/Year Use of Co-Working Space and Meeting Rooms in Central London
WHAT YOU GET
Validate Sprint (October - December 2024) | |
| Weekly | Peer Supported Mastermind - Get together with your community and check-in on your weekly goals. |
| Week 1 Mon. 7 Oct. | Masterclass & Programme Intro: Setting you up for success |
| Week 2 | Masterclass: Discovering your customer |
| Week 3 | Masterclass: Validating your customer |
| Week 4 | Masterclass: Business models |
| Week 5 | Masterclass: Your entrepreneurial journey |
| Week 6 | Masterclass: Practical ways to get your first two customers |
| Week 7 | Demo Day - Meet the Founders |
| Week 8 | Masterclass: How to package your value as a business |
| Week 9 | Masterclass: Marketing with no budget |
| Week 10 | Masterclass: Is your business worth doing? |
| Week 11 | Masterclass: Business Model Canvas variants and actionable one-page business plans |
| Ongoing | Personalised support and appointments with industry experts and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Setting and checking in on your milestones and goals. |
Build Sprint (January - April 2025) | |
| Weekly | Peer Supported Mastermind - Get together with your community and check-in on your weekly goals. |
| Week 12 | Create Lab: Creating your brand and visual identity in a day |
| Week 13 | Create Lab: Creating your website in a day |
| Week 14 | Masterclass: Getting out of jail for free and 'preparing for directorship' |
| Week 15 | Masterclass: Social media selling and paid advertisements |
| Week 16 | Demo Day - How I'll grow my business with £100 |
| Week 17 | Masterclass: How to form and manage teams (co-founders, hiring, and delegating) |
| Week 18 | Masterclass: Sources of finances and getting investment |
| Week 19 | Masterclass: Scale up methodology and processes |
| Week 20 | Masterclass: Utilising AI for start-ups |
| Week 21 | Masterclass: Pitching for investment |
| Week 22 | Masterclass: Perfecting your pitch |
| Week 23 | Demo Day |
| Ongoing | Personalised support and appointments with industry experts and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Setting and checking in on your milestones and goals. |
Grow Sprint (July 2025 - July 2026) | |
| Ongoing | Personalised support and appointments with industry experts and Entrepreneurs-in-Residence. Setting and checking in on your milestones and goals. |
Download the South Bank Works Brochure PDF
Learn more about Masterclasses, Events, and Opportunities at LSBU
What's On
Find a range of LSBU events taking place on campus or overseas including open days, s...
InSight - LSBU Photography Degree Show
A free exhibition of works by LSBU photography students held at the Embassy Tea Galle...
19 June 2024
Public Lecture Series
Our Public Lecture Series serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, insights, and i...
08 November 2024
- 08 November 2025
Market Prep
Turn your market stall into a must-visit destination 🛍 🚀
22 January 2025
Do You Want a Robot Lover?
Can AI care in the same way as a human? Join Dr Blay Whitby as he unpacks these techn...
27 January 2025
- 27 January 2025
Open Hours of Support - 27 January
Make your idea happen. We're here to help!
10 February 2025
- 10 February 2025
Open Hours of Support - 10 February
Make your idea happen. We're here to help!
12 February 2025
Public Lecture with Keith Blair
Join Keith Blair, the Lead Partner at Deloitte, as he delves in to the world of busin...
24 February 2025
- 24 February 2025
Open Hours of Support - 24 February
Make your idea happen. We're here to help!
Who is this programme for? Who can apply?
All LSBU students and alums with a business or developed business idea are invited to apply to the South Bank Works Incubator Programme.
What type of business do I have to have to join this programme?
The South Bank Works Incubator is open to all types of businesses and entrepreneurs! You may be a registered limited company, sole trader, freelancer, charity, or non-profit…just to name a few.
How will the South Bank Works Incubator Programme help me or my business?
The South Bank Works Incubator is a year-long programme to support your business idea development, help you gain customers, and elevate your enterprise.
The programme will reserve your time, give you space, and meet with like-minded innovators. Work towards personalised milestones to see your business idea grow. Network with other start-up founders, freelancers, social entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurially minded individuals who are also dedicated to your success.
What do I get from the South Bank Works Incubator Programme?
The South Bank Works Incubator Programme provides a number of benefits including:
- Access to mentoring and coaching towards your personalised milestones and goals.
- Exclusive masterclasses to inform, educate, and challenge you on start-up business knowledge.
- Support from peers in the mastermind sessions, where you will speak to your goals, challenges, and problems – and look for next steps to develop together.
- Co-working space at the Clarence Centre, on the LSBU Southwark campus
- Networking and community of like-minded entrepreneurs
- Opportunities for start-up funding.
- And more….
What do I need to do to apply for the South Bank Works Incubator?
To apply, please complete the application form and share information about your business, your existing skills, and what you hope to gain from a year-long programme. You will need to provide details including:
- Your information, including contact details,
- Your UK business registration number (if registered) or unique tax reference (UTR) number if you are self-employed,
- A description of your idea or business; help us understand the problem you are solving and how,
- Information about your current business set-up and customers,
- The business and professional skills you hope to gain in a year.
How do I get help applying or answering more questions about South Bank Works Incubator?
We are fully committed to removing barriers for people with additional needs, disability, learning differences, or medical conditions. If you need help with your application, please reach out to the us. If you have additional questions, please email studententerprise@lsbu.ac.uk.
Product of South Bank Marketplace
Sell your products or services. Reach new customers. Get feedback or do user testing. All from your Product of South Bank Marketplace stall.
Jack Baron - MArch Architecture | London Sout…
Meet Jack Baron, an Architect Graduate and now the Managing Director of Baron Architects.
Josh Myers - Denimolite
Josh Myers, Engineering Product Design graduate, invented Denimolite, a new material – a composite made from denim.
Hannah Saroli - BSc (Hons) Marketing with Dig…
Hannah shares her journey of studying Marketing with Digital at LSBU, where she gained hands-on experience and industry connections that led to a plac...
Asim Qamar Malik - Donatio
Donatio provides a platform for donors, charities, and recipients to trace funds and promote transparency of giving.
William Dittrich - RXCEL
RXCEL aims to streamline the medication distribution process in hospitals to improve efficiency, reduce errors, improve the work environment for healt...
Sean Fuller - Lodgepal
Lodgepal reduces the potential for scam with a vetting process between tenant and landlord.
Elizabet Ciochina - Sunshine Therapy
Sunshine Therapy uses talk therapy and subconscious reprogramming to help individuals explore and understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours ...
Bilge Kivrak - Ground Me
Ground Me is an innovative mental health app crafted to enhance everyday presence among its users.
Lilly Thompson - Lilly Pad Productions
Lilly Pad Productions is a lens-based Production company that specialises in Photography, Videography, and Creative Direction built from a collective ...
Candice Davis - After Birth London
After Birth London will be the premier online resource for post-natal mothers to navigate this new territory from only their perspective.
Farid Moulaye - CatCare Ltd
At CatCare LTD, we are creating a smart device that helps make homes safer and more comfortable, especially for people who need extra care.
Roozbeh Bita - Cross Waves
Cross Waves streamlines the lighting and audio design, installation, and commissioning process.
Stefan-Teodor Visinescu - OncoHub
At OncoHub, we're on a mission to transform cancer detection through cutting-edge AI technology.
Shikira Gayle - Taste n See
Taste n See creates desserts using a sugar alternative that does not affect blood sugar levels and does not contain a lot of calories. The amount of f...
Felly Tshidibi Tshimanga - FELLY MODE
I want women to have the joy and peace of mind of having a dress made to measure that fits around their curves.
Anila Pervez- Solutionise
Learn about how our students utilise the Business Solutions Centre and work closely with start-up businesses in London. These relationship exchanges ...
Maxine Asare - Generations4Change
Every young person should be entitled to develop skills to enable them to feel they are contributing to their community.
Joshua Lawson Myers - Denimolite Ltd
We are reducing the environmental impact of the clothing industry and fast fashion by recycling unwanted garments and unusable manufacturing offcuts i...
Carrie Rutherford, Principal of LSBU Business…
Carrie Rutherford is the Principal of LSBU Business School at our Croydon Campus.
Shoshanna Davis - BSc (Hons) Marketing with D…
London South Bank University Alumni Pursues Remarkable Journey of Entrepreneurship.
LSBU Graduate Credits University for His Succ…
Ricardo Scheel, a recent graduate of London South Bank University (LSBU), has landed his dream job at Tesla after studying BA (Hons) Business Manageme...
Anna Mary Oyet is determined to set up her ow…
Anna Mary Oyet has strong ambitions, and even stronger motivations. Already trained as a nurse, she decided to retrain in midwifery after realising th...
Alumnus Sam Cox on his sustainable business a…
Sam Cox graduated with aPgDip Architecture in 2011 from London South Bank University.
Rebecca Clements starts Becky’s Bakes & C…
After graduating from LSBU with a BSc (Hons) Baking Technology Management, Rebecca Clements is using LSBU's Enterprise schemes to help start her own b...
Ardita Qerimi discusses her PR placement at R…
Ardita Qerimi, a first year BA (Hons) Accounting and Finance student, had the opportunity to intern for Entrepreneur Rafael Dos Santos (MBA), and cont...
Kathryn McKenna: “Suddenly I had three kids…
Kathryn McKenna was a stay-at-home mum when she decided to retrain in midwifery. Although she originally qualified as a translator, she had some exper...
Amanda Aboagye-Brobbey discusses her Master i…
Amanda is studying the Master in Business Administration (MBA) at London South Bank University (LSBU) to aid her future business success
Kalon Nelson discusses his course has played…
Kalon Nelson, BA (Hons) Marketing with Advertising and Digital Communications student shares his experience at LSBU.
Iconic Bakes by Olushola Bukoye
As a graduate of the School for Applied Sciences, Olushola Bukoye set up her Buks Bakes business in 2014 and was awarded a place on LSBU’s Graduate En...
Donald Dervishi discusses why he chose LSBU
MSc International Business Management with Marketing student, Donald Dervishi, talks about his postgraduate study choice, and shares how he managed to...
Alvira Khan, "my course has prepared me to en…
Alvira Khan is a final year student pursing BSc (Hons) Economics and Finance at LSBU Business School. She was drawn to LSBU after learning of its cent...
Max Smith on his life at LSBU and future goal…
Max Smith chose LSBU for its London location and work-ready course, and went on to become president of the Students' Union after graduation.
Cephas Williams, postgraduate student and soc…
Postgraduate student Cephas Williams is building his social enterprise one step at a time with help from London South Bank University's Student Enterp...
Inan Gokcek on turning his dream of running a…
Inan Gokcek studied Architecture at LSBU and, with support from our Graduate Entrepreneur Scheme, now runs a multidisciplinary design practice - Studi...
Acoustics research helps improve safety and q…
Collaborative Urban Engineering applied acoustics research project with Transport for London to develop and install a high quality system to evacuate ...
Tomas Lloyd-Williams: starting university and…
Tomas is a first-year student studying (BA) Marketing. A motivated and outgoing entrepreneur, he is keen to take every opportunity that comes his way....
Rose Jimenez Vera researches migrant women’s…
Rosa Jimenez Vera, a class of 2020 Midwifery graduate worked with Anna Lyons, Senior Lecturer in Midwifery to develop a research project looking into ...
Stephen Addison on how he turned his boxing h…
Business Administration graduate Stephen Addison turned his part-time boxing hobby into a social enterprise with help from LSBU's Student Enterprise t...
Cameron Ross, BSc (Hons) Product Design, plac…
Cameron Ross, a BSc (Hons) Product Design student, secured a role at Hallmark as a Licensing Assistant.
Frank Brake on building a billion pound busin…
Before founding a multi-million pound company, Frank Brake studied Catering Management at LSBU.
Mirce Vieira, shares her internship with LSBU…
Final year BA (Hons) Business Management with Enterprise and Entrepreneurship student, Mirce Vieira, shares her experience of studying at LSBU Busines...
Muizz Alamaroof, "I feel like success is some…
First year Journalism student, Amber Sams, caught up with Muizz Almaroof, a LSBU Civil Engineering Alumnus and co-founder of Motivez to discuss succes...
Daniel Walters' career takes an entrepreneuri…
British National Taekwondo champion Daniel Walters (BSc Hons Sport and Exercise Science, 2011) channelled his passion for the sport into coaching and ...
Dr Mark Williamson, honorary doctor of letter…
Dr Mark Williamson has been made an Honorary Doctor of Letters.
Alina Kolomiichenko on applying for a Start-u…
Mariam Katamadze, BA (Hons) Marketing with Public Relations student at LSBU Business School knew that LSBU was the right fit for her when she found ou...
Alumna Danna Walker graduate turned social en…
Danna Walker, LSBU alumna, has taken an unusual route to her current role, Director of Built By Us, a social enterprise encouraging diversity in the c...
Adel Abbess discusses his move from Algeria a…
Adel is on a sandwich course in Business Management and Marketing and is currently on a one-year placement in the international department here at Lo...
Alumnus Rotsen Ibarra on his catering busines…
LSBU gave international student Rotsen Ibarra the skills, knowledge and support to turn his passion for food into a street food business
Siddhath Vadera on his internship with Rafael…
Third year BA (Hons) Business Management student, Siddhath Vadera, shares his experience of taking an internship with Entrepreneur Rafael Dos Santos (...
Louis Christopher Franklin-Pugh discusses his…
Louis had the best experience ever at LSBU, and found all the lecturers were informative, experienced, and extremely insightful
Vanessca Cazaubon: Graduate entrepreneur
Vanessa Cazaubon studied BSc (Hons) Architectural Technology. She's since gone on to start her own business with the support of LSBU's Enterprise Cent...
More Accelerator and Incubator Opportunities
Accelerators and incubators offer you a chance to test your idea, network with other innovators and industry experts, gather feedback on your business, build entrepreneurial skills and knowledge, and more. Below are a few external accelerators and incubators opportunities for the LSBU students, alums, staff, and/or community members. Stay up-to-date on all opportunities by connecting with us on LinkedIn.
EWA Accelerator
European Women’s Association is dedicated to advancing women's economic empowerment; the EWA Accelerator helps support female entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and community.
Cost: Free
Benefits: The two-month intensive structure is designed to equip participants with essential skills in data rooms, financial modelling, and pitch deck creation. Through immersive experiences, personalized feedback, and live pitch rehearsals, startups emerge prepared to navigate the complexities of fundraising and secure future funding opportunities.
Eligibility:
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for the program:
- Include female founders or ventures with at least two founders, one of whom is a female co-founder.
- Showcase a tech-driven startup with innovative agnostic solutions, incl. AI, Sustainability, or Blockchain.
- Possess a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and demonstrate readiness for fundraising, ranging from Seed to Round A.
- Have plans to raise capital within the next 6 to 9 months.
- Exhibit a Minimum Viable Team with relevant industry expertise.
- Advanced proficiency in the English language
- Show thoughtful preparation of initial investment documents.
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://ewaaccelerator.com/
Health Innovation Network - Accelerating Femtech
This 10-week support programme supports small / medium-sized companies (SMEs), university spinouts and academic entrepreneurs from across the UK that have early-stage innovations addressing current challenges in women’s health.
Cost: Free
Benefits: The programme will provide companies with bespoke support through expert-led workshops and mentoring while also supporting them to develop their product offering, understand the challenges in the women’s health space, grow entrepreneurship skills and engage with key stakeholders. Innovators will also prepare for a special closed call funding opportunity.
Eligibility: Applicants must be an early-stage UK small / medium-sized companies (SMEs), university spinouts, or academic entrepreneurs working to address a current challenge in women’s health.
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://healthinnovationnetwork.com/projects/accelerating-femtech/
Royal Academy of Engineering - Enterprise Fellowships
Enterprise Fellowships supports talented researchers and graduates to transform breakthrough engineering innovations into disruptive spinouts and graduate startups.
Cost: Free
Benefits:
Work with experts in commercialising engineering research into successful, scalable businesses to receive:
- an equity-free grant of up to £75,000
- 75 hours of training
- connections to our network of 100+ investors
- subsidised access to our diversity and inclusion platform Culture+ for engineering startups
- 1:1 business coaching and mentoring from our unrivalled network of the UK’s leading engineers and Royal Academy of Engineering Fellows
- lifetime access to our co-working spaces in London and Belfast
Eligibility:
Applicants must be aspiring entrepreneurs who are either:
- University researchers wishing to spin out from UK or Irish universities and research institutes.
- Recent graduates who want to found a startup
- Non-UK nationals who are about to complete, or have recently completed, their PhD at a UK university
Additional Support: South Bank Starters is here to help you with your application and making the best impression for this competition. Set up a 1-2-1 appointment to talk about this opportunity.
For more information, please visit https://enterprisehub.raeng.org.uk/enterprise-fellowships
Connect with South Bank Starters
South Bank Starters is here to guide, support, inspire, and motivate you. Find ways to connect with the team and your community of entrepreneurial minded individuals. You can email us at studententerprise@lsbu.ac.uk.
