Pitch2Win
Have a business idea you’ve been thinking about bringing to life? This is your opportunity to make it happen.
No idea is too small or too big. Every concept has potential, and pitching it is the first step towards turning it into something real. Whether you’re thinking about a side hustle or exploring a brand new concept, getting your idea out there could open unexpected doors.
From Thursday 28 May onwards, the DMU Made Team will be hosting weekly pitching sessions every Thursday, giving you a supportive platform to present your idea, gain feedback, and build confidence.
As an added incentive, you’ll also have the chance to win the Pitch2Win monthly prize of £100!
Take the first step, share your idea, and see where it could lead you!
Book your 15 minute slot today via MyGateway.
We look forward to hearing your pitch!
DMU Global trip - Join us in Girona (Spain) this November, for just £200!
Current DMU students - Visit the beautiful city of Girona in Spain with DMU Made in November 2026 and learn about Freelancing and Entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries, and develop related skills to apply in placements, grad roles or your own business!
Places are strictly limited. For more details or to apply for the trip please click HERE: DMU Made: Creative Industries and Freelancing in Girona, Spain – DMU Global
For any questions about the trip, please email dmumade@dmu.ac.uk, or visit our information drop in on 19th May, 1.00 - 1.30pm in Hugh Aston Careers Hub: https://my-gateway.dmu.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=2274&service=Careers+Service
Future Freelancers 2026 is open for applications!
Interested in working as a freelancer, either alongside your studies or when you graduate? Maybe you want to make money alongside your studies instead of taking on a part-time job, or perhaps you want to know what's involved in being your own boss in future.
On this free programme, you'll learn skills, make new connections and friends, and receive the support you need.
For more information and to reserve your space, please click HERE: https://my-gateway.dmu.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=2288&service=Careers+Service
DMU ESBF Hackathon (for current Technology, Arts and Culture Students) - Tuesday 26th May & Tuesday 2nd June - Win a share of £3000!
Current TAC (Technology, Arts and Culture) faculty students are invited to join a special Hackthon event this later this month, sponsored by Engineers and Scientists in Business Fellowship! This exciting team-based challenge will allow you to work alongside other students from your faculty, with the winners receiving a share of the £3000 prize!
For more information and to book your space, please visit this page: https://my-gateway.dmu.ac.uk/leap/event.html?id=2286&service=Careers+Service
TEDxDemontfortU Salon - Thursday May 14th, 12.00 - 13.00 @ Queens 1.12
Excited for the main TEDx DemontfortU conference? Why not join us for this special FREE pre-conference Salon on Campus, in the amazing Queens Building right here on DMU Campus! You will hear from an inspirational guest speaker, and have the opportunity to network with like-minded people! Free tickets are available via MyGateway HERE
TEDxDemontfortU - Tuesday May 19th, 5.00 - 8.00pm @ The Venue, DMU Campus
We are delighted to announce that we are bringing the world-renowned ‘TEDx’ conference series back to Campus this May, and whether you are a DMU student, alumni or colleague we would love to see you there!
FREE tickets are still available for students, graduates and colleagues HERE
DMU Made Santander X Pitch Day Competition
Are you a DMU Student or Recent Graduate looking to take your innovative business idea to the next level? You could win a game-changing £5,000 to help transform your venture, through DMU Made’s Santander X Pitch Day Competition!
3 lucky competition entrants will each win a £5,000 prize, which can be used in any way to develop or support a business.
To enter the pitch day competition, you must submit an initial online application via THIS LINK by 11.59pm on Thursday 30th April. This will involve providing some basic details, and outlining the vision/objectives of your business. Please read the terms and conditions below before applying.
All initial entries will be reviewed in early May, and a shortlist of ‘finalist’ pitchers will be selected for the Pitch Day, on DMU Made Campus on Thursday 21st May. Availability for this day is an essential criteria for all entrants
De Montfort University X SantanderX Pitch Competition Terms and Conditions
De Montfort University is collaborating with Santander to give three students or recent graduates* the opportunity to win one of three, £5000 prizes. Applicants must be UK students or an EU student with settlement status.
Applications must provide a Unique Tax Reference No, a business registration number, or a reference number from HMRC to prove recent application. UTR and Business registration numbers obtained from HMRC prior to July 2025 will not be accepted. Only individuals may pitch in the competition.
Businesses pitched must already be established/trading. The panel’s decision is final.
£250 Santander Career Support Award – now open
We’ve partnered with Santander to give 60 DMU Leicester students a £250 award to take that next career step. Let’s help you say yes to an opportunity that builds your experience, confidence and skills.
Apply on Santander Open Academy by 7 May 2026 11pm. T&C apply.
Open to full or part-time students 18+ who are completing an undergraduate or postgraduate degree this academic year (2025/26).
DMU Made Creative Agency: Earn £200
DMU Made, the area of Careers Team which supports students and recent graduates with freelancing and entrepreneurship is launching a brand new ‘Creative Agency’ which will match talented students and recent graduates to projects submitted by internal departments.
Do you have skills in videography, photography or graphic design? Staff are being invited to submit work briefs for small-one off projects to be delivered by August 2026 by talented students and recent graduates (from the last two years).
If you are selected to deliver a project, you will be paid a one-off fee of £200, from a dedicated pot of funding managed by Careers Team.
Would you be interested in taking on a small project? You must be a UK home student or EU student with settlement status to participate.
Please submit your details below…
How to register as a Sole Trader/Register a business
If you are a UK student or an EU student with settlement status, have your own side-hustle, money making venture, freelancing projects or a startup business, we’ll tell you how to register with HMRC to get your Unique Tax Reference No. We’ll also explain the benefits, and how it can unlock funding opportunities for you in DMU.
Simply book a one-to-one appointment with us via https://mygateway-dmu.ac.uk
Make Space
Do you have a creative side-project? Looking for a space to work, sew, design, create? All current students and recent graduates are welcome to work from the DMU Made Studio, which is open whenever the library is open (currently 24 hours). You can find this space on the first floor of the Kimberlin Library (Room 1.06). Find out more here.
Win £1000! Tell us about your business
If you’re already self-employed or have registered a business, please tell us about it here, and we’ll get in touch with details of how we can help you. Later this year, everyone who responds and has provided a UTR/registered business number obtained after July 2025, has the opportunity to win £1,000!
Pitch2Win Monthly
Your business idea could win you £100 and if it’s really good, you could be entered into our final later in the year for the chance to win £1000 or more! Weekly pitching rounds will are now taking place. All you have to do to enter is go to my-gateway.dmu.ac.uk and book a pitching slot!
DMUmade PopUps
We've teamed up with DSU to host a new, daily opUp Shop located in the SUsupplies Shop on the Ground Floor of the Campus Centre. Students who make their own products can apply for a free stall by emailing Andrew Reynolds. PopUp Shops are open on Mondays between 10am and 4pm.
Email dsupportunities@dsu.ac.uk to express an interest in having a stall.
ONGOING SUPPORT
A reminder that any student or graduate can receive one to one support, whether they have an existing business or would just like to know how to go about starting one.
One-to-ones are offered face to face and on line and can be booked via MyGateway or dmumade.com.
Further drop-in support and workspace will soon be available via the new Careers Hub in Hugh Aston.
