Unlocking and supporting new business ideas at Cranfield
If you are a Cranfield student, researcher, alumni or staff member with a business idea, we are here to help you!
Start-Up Weekends are the perfect opportunity to work with peers, mentors, and entrepreneurs to shape your ideas. We create an open and safe environment to share your own ideas, gain knowledge and test your ideas with seasoned business professionals.
This is a unique opportunity to work closely with mentors to work through big ideas and turn problems into business opportunity.
Some of the topics covered across our weekends include:
- Who's Your Customer?
- Market Application and Commercial Advantages
- Value Proposition
- Business Models
- Raising Capital
Following each session, you will be given the chance to break into small groups and talk through your idea with an experienced entrepreneur. At the end of the weekend, you will get the opportunity to practice pitching your idea and will receive feedback on both your pitch and how to take your idea forward from this point.
Start-Up Weekends are part of the Venture Programme, an extracurricular programme designed to unlock the entrepreneurial spirit of every Cranfield student hosted by the university’s entrepreneurial hub, the Bettany Centre.
Hear from previous Start-Up Weekend participants
Gain a Cranfield Enhance: Entrepreneurship badge
A Cranfield Enhance digital badge is an opportunity to showcase your skills to prospective employers via your social media profile. The badges are widely recognised by employers as a mark of expertise and dedication. In the current challenging environment, entrepreneurship is now more critical than ever as it drives economic growth and fosters innovation. Being an entrepreneur involves more than just launching and operating your own company. Thinking creatively and coming up with innovative solutions to challenges are hallmarks of an entrepreneurial mindset, which is becoming increasingly important in both academic and corporate settings, not only in start-ups.
The 'Ideation' badge will provide you with basic business skills and knowledge on how to take an idea into a business venture. You will have the opportunity to share and test your own ideas with the support of business professionals and work closely with mentors to turn problems into real business opportunities. Completing this badge will provide you with basic knowledge of customer segmentation, value propositions, business models, finance and stakeholder management.
To gain an ‘Ideation’ badge, you will need to submit a short application in advance, outlining the idea you would like to explore over the weekend. The start-up weekend is the perfect opportunity to work with peers, mentors, and entrepreneurs to shape your ideas. We create an open and safe environment to share your own ideas, gain knowledge and test your ideas with seasoned business professionals. Cranfield Enhance is open to current students of SWAG合集 - to enrol.
Agenda
- 19 – 21 March 2026 | Start-Up Weekend Level 1 | Stafford Cripps (SC2 and SC3) and 23rd -24th April (level two) will be held in the Gallery CMRI
- 23 – 24 April 2026 | Start-Up Weekend Level 2 (Invite only – based on successful completion of Level 1) | CMRI Gallery (B38)
Who is it for?
Cranfield students, researchers, alumni or staff members with a business idea.
What is expected from me?
As many of our mentors will be giving up their own time to facilitate your business idea development, we ask that you are committed and engaged throughout the three-day programme. Bring a bright positive attitude!
What do I get out of the weekend?
Crucially, the weekend helps you to get out of your comfort zone and really engage with the entrepreneurial mindset to finding opportunity in challenge.
If your idea and/or your team look viable we will provide you with further support through mentoring, advice (legal and financial) and other routes to markets.
If you have engaged in the mentoring process within Bettany Centre and we think that you have a viable idea, you may be invited to pitch for investment at Investor Day. This is not a guaranteed outcome and will only be offered to those individuals that are committed and show genuine potential.
Speakers and Facilitators
Dr Orsolya Ihasz
Her research interest focuses on responsible innovation management and social impact measurement especially in public health. As well as leading the Venture Programme, she is also an external advisor to the WHO on scaling digitally enabled health interventions for tackling non-communicable diseases globally.
Jon Thornes MBE
Jon Thornes is a nature-friendly farmer and environmental entrepreneur, dedicated to fostering biodiversity and sustainability at South Ormsby Estate in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Known for his innovative approach to land management, Jon’s “Jurassic Park moment” invites visitors to experience the thriving populations of wild birds across the estate—a testament to the impact of sustainable practices.
At the heart of South Ormsby’s transformation is the integration of biodiversity with a dynamic business model. Jon oversees a diverse range of sustainable ventures, from organic food production to biochar products aimed at soil improvement. His energy business is a key component, with renewable energy sources such as solar power and biomass helping the estate reduce its environmental footprint. Jon also champions community engagement through initiatives like the Saturday Club, which connects volunteers to conservation projects.
In addition to his role at South Ormsby, Jon was named Cranfield Entrepreneur of the Year in 2016, reflecting his ongoing leadership in entrepreneurship. His vision is a future where business, nature, and community thrive together.
Mike Papé
Mike Papé is a director of Ravensden Plc, a family business specialising in the supply of animal themed toys and gifts for the zoo, aquarium, leisure and promotional markets across Europe. If you have children you are more than likely to find one of their Animal Companions somewhere in your house!
Having studied Geography and Business Administration at Birmingham University Mike returned to the family business in the mid-1990s, initially in a sales and marketing role and subsequently in an operational role. Today he manages the relationships and supply chain with Far Eastern suppliers as well as taking responsibility for compliance, corporate social responsibility and general business management.
Mike has expertise in managing product sourcing and production across diverse cultures, balancing client needs with supplier capabilities. He has played a key role in restructuring Ravensden Plc, establishing Ravensden BV in the Netherlands, and creating a robust European supply chain. Mike’s strategic vision and ability to manage complex projects has significantly contributed to the growth and success of Ravensden and the organisations he has chaired.
Mike has been Chairman of two industry specific trade associations and has served as an Officer in the Territorial Army. He completed the Executive MBA at Cranfield in 2010.
Mike is passionate about family businesses and their value to the economy and society as a whole. He lives in Northamptonshire with his wife and two boys. He loves food, wine, travel and dog walking.
More speakers to be announced.
Who should attend?
Cranfield students, researchers, alumni or staff members with a business idea.
Location & travel details
The Gallery - CMRI Building 38, SWAG合集, Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL
Download a visitor guide including map, directions and health and safety information.
Accommodation
Please contact Cranfield Management Development Centre directly +44 1234 751122 for accommodation bookings.
Apply now
You can view any upcoming programmes as part of the Venture Programme here.
Eligible to apply for Level 2?
In Level 2 of the Start-Up Weekend in April, we will gather successful individuals from Level 1 and those who are ready for a more in-depth understanding and build on their ideas to then pitch at Investor Day and potentially apply for the Seed Fund.
In some cases, we may have referrals that go directly to Level 2.
Please contact bettanycentre@cranfield.ac.uk to verify eligibility.
