Next Deadline: November 30, 2013
The Sirius Programme has launched a global hunt to attract the brightest and best students and graduate entrepreneurs to set up their businesses in the UK. Whether you have an early idea or an established business plan apply to this programme, one of the most comprehensive start-up packages offered globally.
Students & recent graduates from all around the world are invited to apply. Successful applicants will receive a full range of comprehensive package including financial contribution, a place in one of the world’s best business accelerator programmes, and support to gain clients, mentoring and logistical help with relocating to the UK as well as and funding to create a successful business.
About the Programme
The Sirius Programme, spearheaded by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), will enable talented graduates with innovative start up ideas to relocate to the UK and receive support to fast track their business from idea to reality. It is a 12-month start-up support and acceleration package open to students and recent graduates with an early-stage business idea or business plan.
The programme aims to attract hundreds of entrepreneurs into the UK in its first two years, with each of the resulting businesses creating new jobs, bringing in foreign investment and making a significant cumulative impact on the UK economy. Advantages of starting up in the UK include access to 500 million customers in Europe (62 million in the UK) and the fact that these consumers tend to be early adopters, keen to test and try new innovations.
The Sirius Programme is part of UKTI’s commitment to supporting global graduate talent by helping young people from around the world develop and make their business ideas a reality in the UK. This builds on the successes of Tech City and the GREAT campaign.
Eligibility
They are looking for students & recent graduates from all around the world. This means you are eligible if:
- You are a current university student (BA/BSc/Masters/Research degree)
- You graduated from an undergraduate course in 2011 or later
- You graduated from a postgraduate course (Masters, PhD or MBA) that ended in 2011 or later
Individuals and teams are both welcome to apply.
Benefits
- Successful applicants will receive financial support of £12,000 for each team member, a place in one of the world’s best business accelerator programmes, and access to the additional support package.
- The package is intended to provide the right mentorship, networks and support in gaining clients to help you build a successful business in the UK.
How It Works
There are 2 streams: If you have already started out with a business (anything from a proof of concept/prototype/beta version to a early stage startup), enter the ‘Business stream‘. If you have an idea, but haven’t started putting anything into practice, then enter the ‘Idea stream‘.
Selection Process
Each month, UKTI, external experts, and the accelerators will go through the selection process and review the entries from the previous month. We want people to realise their business ambitions as soon as they can, so enter as soon as you are ready.
Places will be allocated each month between October 2013 and January 2014, and the deadline for entries for October’s intake is 30 September 2013.
For more information, click here.
