Founders' Pledge

As an entrepreneur, you know how important those first steps in business are. When the time is right, consider supporting the next start-up success story by taking the UCL Founders’ Pledge.

Pledge

Consider taking our Founders' Pledge and, when the time is right, supporting the next start-up success story.

When inspiration strikes for someone at UCL, our Innovation and Enterprise team works side-by-side with them to nurture it: developing their skillset, building their network and turning their dream into reality.

You have already experienced the importance of those formative first steps, and know how advice, expertise and support from knowledgeable mentors can shape the journey which gives promising new businesses the chance to achieve long-term success.

So, please consider writing another start-up success story by signing our Founders’ Pledge, and, when the time is right for you to “pay it forward”, help those who face barriers to their own business ambitions.

By taking the pledge, you are making a commitment that when the time is right to sell, exit or float your company, you will give an agreed percentage of your gains to support student and recent graduate entrepreneurs at UCL.

More than 500 active student start-ups can trace their roots to UCL, creating nearly 2,000 jobs.

Jobs data: HEBCI 2019-24

Share your expertise

Not ready to pledge? As a UCL alum and entrepreneur, you can share your expertise now, by volunteering your time and insight to support early stage student founders at critical moments in their journey.

Opportunities range from speaking at events and judging pitching competitions, to mentoring student founders, offering one off advice, or connecting students with opportunities in your business. Your experience can help turn promising ideas into viable ventures.

Get involved

Explore current opportunities and register your interest by completing the UCL Alumni Volunteer Expression of Interest Form.

Case studies

Explore a selection of start-up success stories from the UCL Innovation & Enterprise team.

Incador

Jade Snow Medical

Your Juno

Explore campaign themes

Navigate to Here, we unlock the secrets of life and the universe

Here, we unlock the secrets of life and the universe

From the origins of disease to the origins of life; from the fundamental laws of physics to the fundamentals of the human mind, UCL is discovering the answers to the universe’s long-held secrets.

Navigate to Here, we build a healthier planet for healthier people

Here, we build a healthier planet for healthier people

We’re facing an unprecedented tide of public health challenges. At the heart of this is a broken connection with our extraordinary natural world and an urgent need for repair.

Navigate to Here, we transform the world through technology

Here, we transform the world through technology

From AI and machine learning to quantum, medical and sustainable technologies, UCL is developing technologies that science fiction only dreamed of – to transform all our lives for the better.

Navigate to Here, we embed the arts and humanities

Here, we embed the arts and humanities

UCL has always placed the arts and humanities at the centre of what we do. This helps us to understand our behaviour, innovate and tackle complex issues in society.

Navigate to Here, we nurture inclusive communities

Here, we nurture inclusive communities

Here at UCL, we want to strengthen our abilities to understand one another, so we can build and nuture inclusive communities – now and long into the future.

Navigate to Here, we live our founding values

Here, we live our founding values

For 200 years, we have kept our founding values alive. This has made UCL the diverse, globally leading, multidisciplinary force that it is today.