Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise (PCE)
How we can help
Mentoring
We offer a free, confidential and one-to-one mentoring opportunity to all students and recent graduates from the University of Portsmouth. You can pop in and ask for guidance at any stage of your idea development.
We can provide guidance on:
- business processes
- market research
- idea protection
- funding, finances
- presentations
- business set-up
- business future developments
- running and expanding existing student businesses
- local businesses
- Enterprise Challenge ideas
Business Development units
Many of you find it difficult to find premises to start up, especially when you are a student, so we provide refurbished offices in Mercantile House, on the 9th Floor, available to students and recent graduates from the University. This service is open to all students, subject to strict regulations.
Equipment included with each unit
Furniture
Desk, filing cabinet, shelving, chairs, meeting table and chairs.
Equipment
Computer, telephone, heating, electricity, colour printer, access to photocopying, use of Board Room for meetings.
Support services
Personal support and guidance, networking opportunities, University email account, formal business address and access to online resources.
Enterprise in the community
The Portsmouth Centre for Enterprise at the University of Portsmouth developed one-day Enterprise events to allow children and young adults to experience the processes involved with setting up and running a small business. These events are delivered in conjunction with and as part of UP for it, the University of Portsmouth membership scheme for 11-16 year olds.
So far, over 20 schools and colleges and in excess of 1000 students have taken part in the days. Depending on the age of the students and the time available the days may include any of the following:
- Students are put into groups - or companies - and choose their roles within the company. They may be required to design a prototype (a model) made from items bought from a shop (Aladdin's Cave) provided by the University.
- The students then write a business plan and take it to the Bank to gain their financial funding from the Bank Manager.
- Once the students have completed their prototype, they are to develop a marketing and sales strategy in the form of posters.
- Also design a thirty second television advertisement that they will perform in front of all the other students.
The skills the students gain from this experience are teamwork, leadership, delegation, creativity, financial and imagination as well as learning all the essential steps in the process of setting up and running a small business.