A new collaboration is set to give student entrepreneurs a valuable networking boost as they launch their business ideas.

4theRegion has teamed up with Swansea University’s Enterprise Team to create Starting Up in the Region.

Here at 4theRegion we’ve already been bringing together regional businesses, community groups and change-makers across South West Wales. Thanks to our partnership with Swansea University’s Enterprise Team, the student start-ups will have their membership fees paid for an entire year. This means they will be able to attend events and members’ forums as well as benefiting from the opportunity to network with our 250 members and gain invaluable support on their doorstep.

Dawn Lyle, Co-Founder of 4thRegion, said: “As a region we need to do what we can to encourage and support start ups and entrepreneurs. These are businesses and job creators of the future and vital to the future success of the regions economy. We want to introduce these fantastic entrepreneurs to established businesses and potential customers across our region so they feel part of a thriving business community from the outset.”

Swansea University has an enviable record when it comes to encouraging business brains and its dedicated team is delighted to have secured this additional support for budding entrepreneurs.

Swansea University Enterprise Officer Kelly Jordan said: “Education institutions are a breeding ground for innovation. They are where students from all over the world come and to learn, innovate and create.

“We want to build a community for our start-ups – somewhere where they feel connected and supported as they grow their businesses and ideas in the region.“

The new initiative comes just after Swansea was identified as the fourth best place in the UK to start up a new enterprise.

A high-profile survey by business website Startup Geek put the city well ahead of rivals such as Cardiff, Bristol or London – not least because of its high graduate retention rate. It also fared well when it came to low cost office space and five-year start-up survival rates.

Starting Up in the Region is open to any student, who can join as a Collaborator for as little as £5 a month.

For further details contact zoe@4theregion.com