New facilities to nurture student entrepreneurship

(18 March 2021)

We’re really proud of the entrepreneurial spirit that shines so brightly across our student community. So much so that we will be opening our first dedicated space to nurture this.

First of its kind space

The Hazan Venture Lab will provide a specialised home for our student enterprise work, to help foster and develop a community of student and graduate entrepreneurs.

Managed by our Careers and Enterprise Centre, the Lab will provide business advice sessions, workshops, networking events and start-up pitching events, as well as being available for student-led groups to use.

It is named after Jonathan Hazan, a Durham University graduate and successful businessman, who generously gifted £500, 000 to support the development of the Venture Lab.

Supporting our students

The Hazan Venture Lab is housed within the brand new, state of the art Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building, but is available to all students.

From September 2021 the Careers and Enterprise Centre will also use the Hazan Venture Lab to deliver its new Durham Venture School programme, a flagship start-up creator programme which will be the first of its kind in the Higher Education sector.

Speaking about the new Venture Lab, Jonathan said; "Investment in innovation and enterprise development are key to a healthy economy and with the government's "Levelling up" agenda, regional centres of excellence such as Durham University are seeing a renewed focus.

“With my donation, I'm hoping to stimulate interest in innovation and help equip students with the skills they need to start and grow their own businesses.

“I'm delighted to see the launch of the new building and I'm looking forward to the Venture Lab coming to life!”

Find our more:

Find out about our Careers and Enterprise Centre and the new Durham Venture School

Read about our new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Sciences building