female in a research meeting taking notes with pen and paper

Our Entrepreneurs In Residence programme

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence (EIRs) offer business start-up advice to our students, alumni or staff to launch or grow their business.

Our current team of experienced entrepreneurs and senior level business executives use their experience to help others plan, develop, network and market their new business. In return, our Entrepreneurs in Residence benefit from access to our research, events and partnerships across the University.

Read on to find out more about the our Entrepreneurs in Residence, the impact they have on our business community and how you could benefit from working with them.

Each entrepreneur offers their unique expertise, a willingness to share their experience, and all have a passion for working with our students and staff.

Jaimes Harrington, Manager of the EiR programme

How Entrepreneurs in Residence help students, staff and alumni

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence help students, staff and alumni to develop business ideas and deal with the challenges of starting a new business. The entrepreneurs share their knowledge on the impact of change in the business industry and the skills needed to succeed today.

Our Entrepreneurs in Residence can mentor University startups, offer guest speaking, help academics in their research and advise groups or individuals on the early stages of business development. They also organise inspirational talks for students, help with curriculum development, and support the University’s focus on entrepreneurship.

Areas of advice include:

  • Developing entrepreneurial skills
  • Exploring business ideas
  • Providing business startup advice
  • Developing business plans
  • Advising on funding
  • Helping to identify markets
  • Advising on commercialisation of research
  • Supporting academic research
  • Accessing business networks
Leonora Asomanin, Entrepreneur in Residence

I am thrilled to be an Entrepreneur in Residence. I envisage inspiring young women like myself to pursue their dreams, regardless of background and gender

Leonora Asomanin , Creative Director of La Mo Designs

Meet our Entrepreneurs in Residence

We currently have 39 Entrepreneurs in Residence at the University of Portsmouth. Discover their career journeys and the areas they can provide business support in by clicking the links to their full profiles.

Adrian Norman
CEO: Orean Music Limited

Alan Barrell
Professor and business angel 

Ana Ambika Pindoria
Founder, Director and CEO: Hi-Juice Business Mentors

Andrew Martin
Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer: Inkpact 

Anne Stevens
Independent chair, human resources adviser and coach, board mentor and non-executive director 

Barry Moore
Founder at Touring Highlights

Ben Fisher
Founder and CEO: Beu and Appozon

Blake Powell
Managing Director at AccentPOS

David Thomson
CEO and founder: Suada

Faz Forhad Ahmed
Restaurant owner and founder: Akash Restaurant and 'Curry by Air'

Graeme Quar
Director - Grazing With Gazelles

Heather Barrie
Founder and director: Harrie's Coffee

Henry Brenton
Founder at Farfly Media

Jeffrey Lawrence
Director: Ardmore Healthcare Ltd

Jinx Prowse
CEO: Music Fusion

Josh Robinson
Founder: LMSUK

Kevin Briscoe
Director: Briscoe PR

Leonora Asomanin
Creative Director: Là Mo Designs

Luca Tagliaferro
Luca Tagliaferro SEO Expert

Maggie Bain
Freelance Actor, Practitioner at Frantic Assembly, and University Tutor at Coventry University

Marianne Withers
Chief Executive Officer: The Verity Centre (15) LTD

Mark Smith
Executive chairman and founder: The Car Finance Company 

Ming Wu
Product designer and co-founder: The Makers' Guild

Mitch Lee
UK Business Development Chef: Heura Foods (Previously Co-Founder of Mitch’s Kitchen) 

Nathan Cable
Co-founder and head of sales and marketing: Party Hard Travel

Neville Merritt
Director at Pure Potential Development Ltd

Ousmane Drame
CEO of URBOND 

Phil Carr
CEO: My PT Hub (Fitii Ltd)

Rachel Lowe
Owner: Rachel Lowe Limited

Rebecca Beard and Kay Coombs
HR Consultant and Company Directors: Peas in a Pod Consulting Ltd

Sarah Goodall
Founder: Tribal Impact

Shaheed Peera
Founder: The Creative Floor and FCB Health  

Shirin Lee
HR professional and owner: Mitch's Kitchen

Simon Gardiner
Cofounder and Director: Carrington West

Steven Haken
CEO at Odelle Technology

Benefits of becoming an Entrepreneur in Residence

Entrepreneurs who join the programme can take advantage of many benefits including:

  • Access to our research
  • Invitations to industry, research and networking events
  • The potential of new partnerships
  • The energy and enthusiasm surrounding startups
Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR); Only for use within an EiR context.

I've embraced the opportunity to connect with the city, make new partnerships and generate real momentum in order to give something back to our community

Jinx Prowse, Chief Executive Officer of Music Fusion

More business services

Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE)

Help us close the gender gap in entrepreneurship and get access to specialist training in our female-focused research, training and mentor programme.

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How we can help your business

From offering our expertise and facilities, to finding office space and business support, we can help your organisation succeed.

Male and female University of Portsmouth staff in business meeting
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Business services

Is your business ready to take a step forward? We have a long track record of helping businesses and startups in different markets to grow and develop.

Group of University of Portsmouth students in a business meeting
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