Celebrating University Entrepreneurial Success at Enterprise Day 2025

The fourth annual Enterprise Day at the University of Bath once again showcased the university’s thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, bringing together founders, researchers, and students to share their experiences and insights. Among the many engaging sessions, two stood out for their strong ties to the SETsquared Bath Innovation Centre: ‘My Entrepreneurial Journey with Alumni Innovation Award Winners’ and ‘Founders Supported Through the University of Bath Spinout Club Telling Their Entrepreneurial Story’.

My Entrepreneurial Journey with Alumni Innovation Award Winners

Chaired by Pascal Loizeau from the Student Enterprise Team, this session featured an inspiring panel of founders who had won the Alumni Innovation Award, many of whom are also current members of the Innovation Centre. The panel included Jamie Crisp and Lachlan McGrigor, both final-year students, as well as recent PhD graduates Katie Little and Zoe Jeffery.

Each panelist shared their entrepreneurial journeys with remarkable honesty and vulnerability, openly discussing the challenges they've faced while building their ventures from the ground up. Equally inspiring was their unwavering drive to overcome obstacles, supported by genuine enthusiasm and passion, which resonated deeply with our engaged audience.

University of Bath Spinout Club: Founders Sharing Their Stories

Another compelling session featured the University of Bath Spinout Club, an initiative closely linked to the Innovation Centre. Hosted by Pete Keevill, an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Centre, the session brought together spinout founders Dario Cazzola, Jakub Dziegielowski, and Julian Stirling, who shared their experiences of turning research into commercial ventures.

What set this discussion apart was its focus on the emotional and human aspects of entrepreneurship—topics that are often overlooked in business conversations. The panelists spoke openly about the realities of founding a startup, including the uncertainties, setbacks, and personal growth that come with the journey. Their insights provided valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs, offering a realistic perspective on what it takes to bring an idea to market.

A Thriving Entrepreneurial Ecosystem

Enterprise Day 2025 reaffirmed the University of Bath’s commitment to nurturing an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial environment. The Innovation Centre continues to play a pivotal role in supporting both the Alumni Innovation Award winners and the Spinout Club, providing founders with mentorship, resources, and a collaborative community to help them succeed. As Enterprise Day grows each year, it’s clear that the university’s culture of innovation remains strong, empowering founders to turn their ideas into impactful businesses.