Developing student autonomy and Employability through the Venture Matrix

Simon ClarkProgramme Director, Enterprise and Technology

ACES

What is the Venture Matrix?

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

The VM aims 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.

• develop employability

"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 negotiation and collaborative working skills• understand their potential through self appraisal and

evaluation• communicate and work with external companies

How it operates:

• Opportunities gathered from within the University and internal and external businesses.

• Student groups formed ventures to consider these – or as year proceeds - their own opportunities.

• To trade, all student ventures apply to join the VM.• Once “approved” they are funded and registered on the

VM web site.• Each has to create their own USP – and compete for

business in emerging world…• "Trade shows" operate through the year - groups

networked and established small consortia.• Ventures bid for "funding" to develop their solutions.

A typical Trade Show:

Types of OpportunityType IStudent to Student Opportunity

Type II: Internal Opportunity

• SAS Quality Enhancement - Market Research: Student perception on assessment feedback inc. questionnaires & focus group

• SHU TEXT: market research on the viability of texting students, with timetabling information

• Enterprise Centre - Hatchery Team: Website up-date

Hubs Hair Salon Day - Sheffield College

Stop the Clock (BiG Challenge) - City School

Type III: Opportunities at Schools & Colleges

Type IV: External Organisation Opportunity

• Real work experience

• Venture Matrix students organising end of year awards ceremony evening for social enterprise - Football Unites Racism Divides

VM Pilot 07/08: unexpected outcomes

Engaged students (~ 500) from Business, Technology, Media, Communications, Computing, Sport, Law and Engineering.

• Second year students progression onto Placements increased by 40%

• 10 students started up real businesses from their VM experiences

Student Engagement

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

ACES D & S H & W O & M

2007/2008

2008/2009

2009/2010

2010/2011

Student Comments:

• "Through the Matrix I have developed practical engagement attributes you cannot learn from a textbook."

• "As a project manager I have benefited from developing my management skills and in particular managing the final year students as a level 5 student"

• "Before I got involved with Venture Matrix I used to shy away from situations like this. I would act shy and try not to get involved in the discussion. I feel this area is now one of my stronger attributes. I feel confident to speak out and generate discussion between group members. This is vital skill as I am currently preparing from my placement year."

Future Developments

• Sheffield Hallam website 09/10

• Prospectus 10/11

• Student involvement 865 to 1250 by 09/10

• External organisation involvement 12 to 30 09/10

• Possible 2 year funding for School & College Liaison Officer (ERDF)

Any Questions?