Whether you are planning to freelance, become self-employed, or start your own business, LaunchPad can help you take the next steps.
The Big Idea Challenge
Got a creative idea? Perhaps one that focuses on social change or sustainability? Maybe it's just a great business idea to make lots of profit. We want to hear it! Enter for a chance to win a cash prize.
Idea categories: Creative, Community, Freelance, Innovation, Sustainability.
Apply Now
How to Make Money Programme
Are you thinking of freelancing or self-employment? Maybe you want to start your own business or turn your hobby into a side hustle?
Learn all about this and more at our free workshop programme.
Book Now
Learn through our programmes
- 8-workshops on Freelancing, Self-employment & Setting up a Side Hustle.
- Cover the basics of what it takes to be an entrepreneur and build your confidence.
- Topics covered include: branding, finances, sales and much more.
- The workshops will run in both semesters, and happen on Wednesdays 1pm - 3pm in the Careers and Enterprise Hub in Augustine House.
- Book your place at one of the following workshops:
- 5 February: What does it take to start a business?
- 12 February: Knowing your worth and having the confidence to ask for it
- 19 February: How to sell
- 5 March: Creating your brand
- 12 March: Keeping track of finances
- 19 March: Making your business official
- 26 March: Innovation and sustainability
- 2 April: Collaborative working and next steps
- A 3-Masterclass series on business viability and planning with bespoke 1 to 1 business coaching. All happening in April 2025.
- Suitable for students/recent graduates who have completed the How to Make Money Programme OR who have already developed their idea and want to upscale their existing business.
- Opportunities to connect with a business coach.
- Get dedicated support to develop your business idea and make it ready to pitch. Including reviewing of key selling points of a business, financial viability, and presenting styles.
- Register your interest in Think it, Test it, Launch it Programme by emailing launchpad@canterbury.ac.uk
- A chance for you to present your ideas to secure funding and make your business dreams a reality!
- Funding for CCCU current undergraduate students can be up to £2000. Funding for CCCU postgraduate students and alumni is subject to terms and conditions.
- In order to pitch at this event, you must have attended the Think it, Test it, Launch It Programme.
- Pitch at a friendly venue, the Careers and Enterprise Hub in Augustine House. The event takes place in early June.
- There will also be a range of follow-up support once you have officially set up your business.
- The Programme focuses on three key challenges: building stronger communities, improving health, and tackling climate change.
- The programme focuses on supporting ideas that promote sustainable ways or living and tackle the ongoing cost of living crisis and growing health inequalities, which disproportionately impact the lives of the UK’s deprived, underserved, and under-represented groups.
- Register your interest for the programme.
The masterclasses were great, they help you work through your idea and think of things you hadn’t thought of yet, and get the ball rolling...David, Final year Graphic Design Took part in “Think it, Test it, Launch it Masterclasses
Grow with guidance
- No appointment necessary, simply drop into the Careers and Enterprise Hub in Augustine House to speak with a member of the LaunchPad Team about your business ideas.
- No preparation required, the LaunchPad Team will discuss your business ideas without a formal business plan.
- Bookable 1:1 appointments to help review your business idea and areas for development.
- All 1:1 appointments can be booked by emailing launchpad@canterbury.ac.uk
- Improve your business idea with the support of a business coach. LaunchPad can connect you with entrepreneurs who have worked on similar business ideas via our partnerships.
- To request business coaching support, email launchpad@canterbury.ac.uk
Give it a go and don’t be scared. If a nursing student like me can do it, so can you! It is a great experience that no one can take away from you.Belinda, Foundation Year Nursing Student Pitched at the LaunchPad Den
Further Support
With all the freedom that comes with working for yourself, there are also a number of responsibilities and important steps to consider. These can apply if you plan to be a freelancer, or if your enterprising idea means you are creating a new business. The LaunchPad Team offer a range of support.
If you’re planning to freelance or be self-employed, here are some of the things you need to do:
- work out your employment status
- inform HM Revenue & Customs
- learn how to record financial transactions
- understand how to complete your tax return.
We offer lots of support and resources about self-employment. Start getting help by emailing launchpad@canterbury.ac.uk
We offer support to students from all schools, all levels of study and alumni. Being self-employed is becoming more popular, and we actively encourage students to develop their business ideas whilst they are studying, either as part of their course or through maximising a range of extra-curricular support. Alongside our online resources and workshops, we can help students gain access to key industry contacts to receive valuable mentorship, and secure initial business start-up funds via exciting competitions and business challenges.Chiara Employability and Skills Manager (Student Enterprise Lead)