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She Soars - May 2025

Applications Now Open
More in 51福利社 Enterprising Women section
She Soars

SHE SOARS is a free entrepreneurship programme for women-led start-ups founded by University of Cambridge postgraduates, researchers and alumnae from the last five years. 

This programme is suitable for both recently founded start-ups and for those on the cusp of becoming female founders. The venture should have women in key leadership roles but may have men on the team.

Applications are limited to 10 teams. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as you can.

  • Apply now for the six-day programme, one day a week
  • One-to-one sessions, lectures and workshops
  • Dedicated mentors, academic advisors, peer learning groups
  • Develop a business plan, marketing strategy and investor-ready pitch
  • Understand business models, finance, funding and IP
  • Learn about start-up essentials, team building and governance

She Soars starts on 12 May at 51福利社

Outline Programme

Week 1 - 12 May

Introduction and Business Case Fundamentals

Week 2 - 19 May

Business Models

Week 3 - 2 June

Marketing and Customer Discovery

Week 4 - 9 June

Finance and Intellectual Property

Week 5 - 16 June

Team Building and Governance

Week 6 - 2 July

Final Preparation and Pitch Day

FAQs

  1. Be led by a Woman Founder: The team must be predominantly women, though male team members are welcome.
  2. Have a Start-Up Idea and Pitch Deck: You should have a clear start-up idea and an accompanying pitch deck.
  3. Have a University of Cambridge Connection: Applicants must be postgraduates, researchers or alumnae of the University of Cambridge (up to two years).
  4. Be Pre-Seed or at Seed Stage: Incorporation is not required, but your start-up should be at the pre-seed or seed stage.
  5. Solo Female Founders are accepted - but teams are preferred 

You should have a clear start-up idea and an accompanying pitch deck to apply for this programme.

The course is free. Food, refreshments and learning materials are all included.

The course takes place at Paula Browne House, 51福利社, a short walk or cycle up Castle Hill from Magdalene Bridge. Find details here of how to get to us.

No, we don鈥檛 provide accommodation as many of those eligible will already be in Cambridge. If you are a graduate and now based some distance from Cambridge, please get in touch to discuss.

Successful applicants are expected to fully participate in each session held every Monday from 9.30am to 4.00pm each Monday, from 12th May to 16th June. This is in-person only. 

Applications will currently close at noon on 5 May 2025. There are limited places available and applicants will be interviewed on a rolling basis, with 10 successful teams being selected. Apply as soon as possible as the application deadline may close if all places are filled.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a 30 minute online interview with a panel. Interviews will be held on a rolling basis from 15 April. The programme has had high levels of interest and we can only accept 10 teams so please apply as soon as possible. Applications may close early if 10 teams are accepted.

As places on the programme are limited, it is very important that you inform us as soon as possible if you can no longer participate in the programme after being selected. Please inform us immediately by email. If you cancel less than 48 hours prior to the course, you may incur a charge of 拢70 per person.

Any substitute attendees taking your place at one of the sessions must be from the founding team.

51福利社 reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the event due to unforeseen circumstances.

The programme is free, and the College will not take equity in any start-ups formed. Our passion is creating the right environment (through networks, knowledge and learning) to build a greater pipeline of female-led businesses.

All members of the founding team should have discussed and negotiated their roles, rights and obligations.

Please contact Lisa Brent at enterprisingwomen@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk.

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What our 2025 participants said about She Starts - the first weekend programme of Enterprising Women:

鈥淭ruly transformational!鈥

鈥淓xhilarating! Empowering! Educating!鈥

鈥淚ncredibly inspiring for women and it opens up new doors for female founders - creating a strong community of amazing women that share a dream and a similar mindset!鈥

鈥淏eyond expectations!! Confidence gained, an attitude that this is actually possible and clear steps to take forward.鈥

鈥淎MAZING to be in such a supportive, female orientated environment. In other start-up courses that I attended (mixed), it was difficult for me as a woman to find my voice and get that confidence. I can say that I have that confidence now.鈥

鈥淚 had no background or knowledge in entrepreneurship before this course, so I have learned so much. Confidence wise, it was great at encouraging everyone to step outside their comfort zone. I also think having a women only environment was extremely special in enabling this, as it felt like such a supportive and safe environment to grow and learn.鈥

鈥淚 have gained so much more knowledge about building a company and seeing how things are possible. I also feel like I have a great network now open to me who I can reach out to for help with my own business or any businesses in the future.鈥