Student-led Business Society launches start-up consultancy programme

The University of Reading's Business Society has successfully launched a start-up consultancy programme, providing students with free support with any new business ventures.

The affiliated consultants are students and alumni of Henley Business School and the University of Reading; the Business Society is led by BA Business and Management student Nikolaos Papathanasiou, with Fabio Scaffidi-Argentina (a graduate of the BA International Management and Business Administration with German course) and Lewis Bull (a current BA Entrepreneurship and Management student) two of the main consultants. All three have close ties with Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship (HCfE), with Nikolaos participating in Entrepreneurship Vibes 2020 and enrolling on the undergraduate Understanding Sales module, Fabio regularly making appointments at the Business Idea and Start-Up Clinic during his time as a student and Lewis attending Entrepreneurship Vibes 2018 and utilising HCfE's Entrepreneurship Hub and Business Idea and Start-Up Clinic.

Many new businesses lack experience and struggle with their venture, so the aim of the Business Society’s start-up consultancy programme is to help other students and alumni with their entrepreneurial venture at any stage of the start-up process, from the initial concept to the launch and beyond. This includes finding a market, change management, marketing and finance analysis, as well as sharing resources and networks. The consultants of the programme have experience in start-up businesses, client-facing roles and financial services.

Students can book appointments to the start-up consultancy programme and get guidance on how to accelerate their business venture and gain invaluable insights. Three start-ups have already taken advantage of the start-up consultancy and all participants become part of a thriving community of start-up businesses, alumni and founders of other successful businesses.

The Business Society is currently working on partnerships with investors to secure funding for student start-ups and already have existing connections with high profile companies such as Accenture, Wiser, PwC and Deloitte. An accelerator programme to support the consultancy service is also in the process of being set up for the 2021/22 academic year for start-up businesses with the potential for growth and the need to fundraise.

To view the contact details for the Business Society and enquire about booking a spot with their start-up consultancy programme, view their RUSU page.