Creating a real world of opportunity through a virtual

trading estate

Dr Simon Brown

Director for Enterprise Teaching and Learning

Welcome to the Venture Matrix

What is the Venture Matrix?

The venture matrix is an interactive 'trading estate' of virtual and real companies.

What is it?

• http://venturematrix.shu.ac.uk

• “Let your obsession become your profession”

Our Mission is to:

• support learning through experience.• develop autonomous and highly employable

graduates equipped for the career of their choice.

• provide a framework for innovation and the development of creative ideas and opportunities which are socially and commercially diverse.

• increase the numbers of successful graduate start-ups, particularly in the region.

Virtual companies are formed within courses to allow

students to:• try out creative ideas of enterprise and entrepreneurship

in a safe environment.• have a realistic work related experience suited to their

study.• access the diversity of learning and skill of other Venture

Matrix companies.• enhance communication skills and cooperation by

working with others towards common goals.• understand their potential through self appraisal and

evaluation.• communicate and work with external companies as the

Venture Matrix expands.• benefit by the value generated in their trading

experience.

Trade Show 5th Nov 07

Achieved within Pilot year 07/08

• The VM pilot engaged students (approx 500) from all 4 faculties operating within an emerging structure. Being determined and built by the students.– Foundation degree students – computing– UG students – 1st, 2nd and final year – Business,

Technology, Media, Communications, Computing, Sport, Law and Engineering

Now listen to..

• Three students who rose to the challenge of managing a number of complex projects