How can entrepreneurs collaborate with university students on a creative project?

[Alan Stride]

To add some context. As an example, If I need a freelancer in digital marketing or a graphic designer, I would usually go to somewhere like People Per Hour or Fiverr for a professional. However, what If I preferred to work with an eager, talented undergraduate/post graduate student who could do the same piece of work for me instead of a professional? Are there any current websites out there for this type of collaboration, or any other way of approaching students to work with?

To clarify, I do not mean employment or apprenticeship opportunities for students, I mean 'stand alone' pieces of work that benefit both the student and the business. The work does not have to be too complicated, for example a basic sketch of a product design idea for an aspiring entrepreneur (me!). Happy to clarify further if required.

 

[Mr D]

You could advertise at the uni.

 

[Alyson Dyer]

Just call the Uni, my daughter has just completed a project with a business local to her Uni. She is doing a degree in Marketing and Advertising
Just google Unis doing this type of degree and call.

 

[Alan Stride]

Just call the Uni, my daughter has just completed a project with a business local to her Uni. She is doing a degree in Marketing and Advertising
Just google Unis doing this type of degree and call.

Two questions about this If I may:

1 - Did your daughter work with the business as part of her uni course or were the students encouraged to seek out collaboration opportunities on their own initiative?
2 - Was she paid for the work she did?

Thanks

 

[Alyson Dyer]

1. The uni provided the business

2. no payment

 

[J_A_M_E_S]

Have a look into Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/knowledge-transfer-partnerships-what-they-are-and-how-to-apply

Sometimes these are fully funded, sometimes partially funded (50/50, 60/40 etc), but sometimes the funding required by the business (you) is covered 'in kind' e.g. your knowledge and expertise in helping the project is costed using your 'rate per hour' to offset the costs, rather than actual money.

 

[Richard Hearne]

Hi Alan. Wondering how you got on with contacting students. I'm looking to do something similar... Thanks, Richard

 

[NorfolkGuy]

Hi,

I’m a part time designer - as in over the years I’ve done freelance for startups exactly like yourself who are just starting up. There’s a huge gap in the market for someone who is willing to invest a bit of time now for comparatively little with the view to being part of a successful business going forward. Feel free to DM me and we can go from there.

 

[Gecko001]

If this is collaboration with students at a university and not just hiring of them on a freeelance basis, then you need to ensure that the university is informed.