University of Sunderland start-ups are booming – so let’s not lose them

Published on 20, March, 2025

The University of Sunderland has helped and supported over 100 new businesses in the past five years, which have gone on to grow and thrive in the region.

And figures suggest there are many more to come.

New analysis by Universities UK (UUK) has revealed that by 2028, around 27,000 new start-ups – with a predicted turnover of around £10.8bn - could be established at institutions in the UK.

Figures from Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) show there has been an explosion in the last decade of start-ups supported by universities up and down the country, as more institutions have set up business incubators and begun teaching students enterprise skills.

Data for the University of Sunderland alone reveals that, between 2019 and 2024, there has been 115 start-up companies created – with an average of 95% based in the north-east.

Gareth Trainer, Head of the University of Sunderland’s Centre for Graduate Prospects, and former President of Enterprise Educators UK, said, “We are proud to have had a leading role in supporting student and graduate start-ups in the north-east for many years.

“Our Start-up at Sunderland programme has supported the creation of 115 new businesses over the last five years. Just under a fifth of these new ventures were social enterprises, a ratio that means our graduates are traditionally some of the most prolific social entrepreneurs in the country.

“We see student and graduate entrepreneurship as an important way that our University generates economic, cultural and social value for the area, and is an essential contributor to the growth of sectors like the screen industry where freelance professionals and innovative start-ups will help transform the health and wealth of this region.

“With over 150 students in Sunderland currently planning to work for themselves after graduation, we expect to see its contribution grow and are piloting ways to support increasingly innovation-driven, growth-oriented enterprises as well as ever more diverse independent professionals into the future.”

To continue seeing the growth of innovative start-ups at universities like Sunderland and beyond, UUK warns that universities must be sustainably funded.

This support consists of business mentors, providing space and facilities, connecting with investors and hosting networking events. As well as practical support for start-ups, three quarters of UK institutions offer additional or elective modules in enterprise, ensuring that budding entrepreneurs feel confident taking their first steps in the world of business. Currently three quarters of universities, including Sunderland, also support social enterprises.

University leaders are now warning the government that more firms established at their institutions are being tempted to take their talents and innovations to London or overseas due to a lack of funding available to scale up.

However, universities like Sunderland are actively working to prevent this from happening, to stem the flow of science and tech start-ups and spinouts from leaving British soil.

Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK said: “The growth in university supported start-ups over the last decade has been a staggering success. We can do more – both to encourage and support new businesses born in our universities, and to ensure that they can remain in the UK and grow here.

“This is just one of the ways that our universities can put their shoulders to the wheel with government to achieve stronger growth. Of course, they need to be on a firm financial footing to do this.

“Universities provide a foundation for economic growth through the knowledge exchange they conduct, and the graduates they educate. Few people know that they also work closely with businesses to help them grow too. Using their kit and equipment, and their expertise, they support start-ups, generate their own spin out companies, and work with businesses from the wider economy to provide practical assistance to help them grow.”

Here's how one of our graduates has driven growth and started their own business:

Harsav Group was founded by BA Hons Accounting and Finance graduate Gerard Harford in 2017. The B2B Consultancy helps businesses by reducing operational costs and delivering substantial savings.

They have supported over 200 businesses to streamline operations and drive success, through expert procurement and tailored solutions. Their offering includes consultancy, support and development. Gerard accessed start-up support at the end of his final year of university and the business has since grown to employ 32 full time employees. 

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