Enabling Enterprise

An entrepreneurial campus is an ecosystem that fosters a culture of innovation and enterprise, and transforms this into tangible opportunities, preparing individuals for success in an evolving business landscape. Digital platforms increase the University’s reach and enable us to foster strong partnerships between Edinburgh Napier, industry and the public sector. We provide digital spaces to showcase talent and ideas, and platforms to link our students and researchers with mentors, funders and investors. Collaboration spaces encourage idea exchange and interactions with industry professional, including our alumni.

The development of entrepreneurial skills and mindset is threaded through our provision, with employability and entrepreneurial practice a key theme in the Enhance Curriculum Framework. The Curriculum Management Environment ensures that our provision demonstrates a consistent approach to meeting the standards codified in the framework. Entrepreneurial skills development is delivered by colleagues across the University, supported by specialist digital services and a library of educational assets.

Of course, the University is a complex organisation seeking to diversify sources of income in order to maintain a strong financial position. This includes commercialisation of research outputs, using digital transformation to streamline processes for patenting, licensing, and establishing spin-off companies based on university-developed technologies, underpinned by a strong customer relationship management platform.

Income diversity also includes provision of consultancy services and short courses which exploit our areas of academic expertise. These must be promoted and easily discovered by potential partners, and underpinned by frictionless onboarding and delivery platforms.

Our campuses and professional services expertise are also key assets. As we develop these opportunities, the use of technology allows us to promote and exploit them in a cost effective manner.