Got thoughts on what great entrepreneurship support at university should look like?

Apply to join the Student Enterprise Board — we're looking for students and graduates who aren't afraid to tell us what we should be doing.

Applications close 25 May 2026

What is the Student Enterprise Board?

The Student Enterprise Board is Edinburgh Innovations' new student advisory body — a space where students, graduates, and founders come together to shape what entrepreneurship support at the University of Edinburgh looks like, now and in the future.

This is not a survey or a focus group. It is a real advisory role — and your voice will genuinely matter.



What will it involve?

As part of the Board, you’ll take part in a series of small, structured conversations with other students and founders, helping us gather information about our current programmes and plan changes for the upcoming academic year 2026/27.

• Session 1 — 8 June 2026 | 12:00–15:00 | In person | Students & graduates — What makes great entrepreneurship support?

In our first session we'll get to know each other (over lunch!), hear about your experiences, and explore what EI's events, programmes, and services mean to you — what's working, what's missing, and what you'd love to see more of.

• Session 2 — 15 June 2026 | Online | Founders only — What actually helps founders succeed?

An independent session for established founders. We'll dig into what content and support actually mattered at the early stages of your journey, what kept you coming back, and what you wish had existed when you were starting out.

• Session 3 — 6 July 2026 | Online | Students & graduates — Did we get it right?

We'll share back what we heard in Sessions 1 and 2 and present our draft proposals for 2026–27. This is your chance to tell us if we've got it right — or push us further.

• Session 4 — 31 August 2026 | Online | Students & graduates — Building what comes next

Our closing session ahead of the new academic year. We'll share what we've built, get your final feedback, and start shaping what the Student Enterprise Board should look like going forward.

All sessions will be facilitated by Kat Pohorecka, Enterprise Officer at Edinburgh Innovations and a startup founder herself, and Eileen Inglis, a business adviser with over 20 years of experience supporting early-stage startups.

Who are we looking for?

• Students and recent graduates
• People who have taken part in our programmes, workshops and events
• People who haven’t yet engaged with any of our services
• People who are curious about startups or enterprise education
• Founders who set up a business with support from our team

What's in it for you?

• A chance to influence how Edinburgh Innovations supports aspiring founders at the University of Edinburgh
• A certificate of participation
• Experience you can add to your CV
• A £50 gift card (for those who attend all sessions)

How can you get involved?

• If you're interested in helping us shape the future of Student Enterprise, apply by submitting a short form telling us a little bit about yourself and why you'd like to get involved. It only takes a few minutes.
• We're looking for around 10–14 students and graduates from across all disciplines — whether you've been to every EI event or you've never heard of us until today, we want to hear from you.
• Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a relaxed, informal online chat with Kat and Eileen before their place is confirmed — nothing to prepare, just a chance to get to know each other.

Key dates:

• Applications close — 25 May 2026
• Candidates notified and invited for an online interview — by 29 May 2026
• Online interviews — 1–3 June 2026
• Board members confirmed — by 3 June 2026
• Session 1 — 8 June 2026 12:00–15:00 — In person in Edinburgh

Accessibility notice:

If you have any questions or accessibility requirements, please don’t hesitate to email Eileen at eileen.inglis@ei.ed.ac.uk and/or Kat at kat.pohorecka@ei.ed.ac.uk . We’re committed to making all our programmes and opportunities as inclusive and accessible as possible.

Help up shape the future of Student Enterprise. Apply now by registering below.