GCU Entrepreneurial Hub helps launch students business idea thanks to new programme

The GCU Entrepreneurial Hub’s Summer LaunchPad programme has given a student the inspiration to get started in the latest chapter of her career journey.

30 students and graduates took part in the inaugural Summer LaunchPad, held over four separate sessions in June this year. The programme is designed to inspire, develop and connect students and graduates interested in innovation and entrepreneurship.

The sessions, which were delivered by GCU Entrepreneurial Ambassador Frank Gormanley, combined practical workshops, guest speakers, business development tools and pitching activities.

MSc Social Innovation student Shannon Graham decided to get involved in the programme after finding out about it through a friend. The opportunity marked the latest chapter in her personal and professional journey, having travelled more than 4,500 miles to study at GCU.

Shannon, tell me a bit about your background and how you found yourself here at GCU?

“I studied my Undergraduate in criminal justice in the United States decades ago. When I graduated I knew I would pursue a Masters, but I had no idea it would take so many years for the opportunity to come around.

“The question I get asked all the time is: “Why Scotland and why GCU?”. I visited Scotland 20 years ago and basically did a mini road trip to places like Stirling and Inverness. It was gorgeous, and I made up my mind that I definitely wanted to visit again.

“Life eventually eased up, and I knew I wanted to pursue my Masters degree, but I also knew I wanted to return to Scotland. Studying at GCU gave me the chance to do both.”

Why did you decide 2026 was the right time to come and study in Scotland?

“I was working in government in Texas and I enjoyed my job, but my goal has always been to obtain a Masters degree.

“There were a lot of logistics in moving my life over here, but after the decision was made I knew it just had to be done. I also think back to visiting here before and how much I just felt at peace in a home that I’d never been to before.

“On top of all of that, when I read about the MSc Social Innovation course on the website, I knew I had to be part of it. It was new, exciting and really aligned with what I wanted to do.”

How much have you enjoyed your time at GCU so far?

“The campus is beautiful. It’s smaller than I thought it would be, but I feel the proximity of the buildings is a massive benefit.

“I’ve loved having the chance to network with everyone at GCU. I knew coming to university that I was going to be one of the oldest students on campus, but it really hasn’t been an issue for me. There are 12 of us on MSc Social Innovation course and we all work really well together.”

What does the MSc Social Innovation course focus on?

“Social innovation is basically the study of problems that society faces. We come at it with more of an innovative and sometimes unconventional approach – I really enjoy it!

“The variety of different topics you study is a massive bonus. In the first trimester, I had social finance, project management, social marketing and ethics.”

How did you first hear about the Entrepreneurial Hub Summer LaunchPad Programme?

“One of my classmates, who recently started in Fintech, sent me a link and basically asked if I had ever thought of creating my own social enterprise…and I had! I applied for LaunchPad and was accepted.

“The reason I wanted to get involved was because it was a practical look at how to start your own business. The programme was for people who had an idea for a business or perhaps even already started their own. I wanted to use LaunchPad to look at the idea I had and to determine if it was viable.

“There’s definitely a mindset shift that you need to have in order to take that jump into creating your own business. Having an idea in your head is one thing, but having that validation of the LaunchPad programme, for me, meant that I could potentially develop the confidence to actually go forward with my business plan.”

Tell me about your business plan and the inspiration behind it?

“After my Undergraduate in Criminal Justice, I found myself working in an electric and water utilities company. I started there in customer service and moved to communications and marketing. I did that for several years, but decided I wanted to be closer to my family back in Texas.

“I then worked in Texas Department for Criminal Justice - working in a prison - before moving to the Office of the Attorney General in Texas, where I worked in the child support division. Between both jobs I was also an employability specialist.

“My overall business plan helps take all the skills I’ve developed throughout my career. I want to use all this knowledge from my past to help woman who have recently been released from prison. The key focus will be to support them with their employability skills and rebuild their confidence.”

Tell me about your experience on the Summer LaunchPad Programme?

“I loved it. It was wonderful to be able to come in and be guided through the process of how to launch an idea. Being involved in the programme with students and graduates at different stages led to a huge amount of collaboration. Being able to share is so useful because we’re not in competition with each other – we all have completely different ideas.

“My idea is not about becoming rich, it’s about the social impact. I really like the fact it ties into GCU and the Common Good.”

You also had a number of guest speakers from a variety of backgrounds over the course of the programme, how did that benefit you?

“All of the speakers were very open and reflected on some of the tough decisions you have to make and how you have to adapt to what your customers actually need.

“We had a panel of four speakers in the second week. I asked a question to a person with a focus on social enterprise, but another person, who had a technical background, said: “Remember, you might be doing a social enterprise, but you still need to make money.” That was something I think is easy to forget when you’re running something that focuses on helping others. Any money I make can be used to help improve the service I offer.

“Another highlight that really stood out to me was the fact we had to do our very own business pitch. Everything is a dream just now, so it’s scary to stand up in front of people and say ‘hey, this is my idea, this is what I want to do’. Thankfully, everyone was so kind and complementary - getting that validation is absolutely massive for me at this point.”

How has this overall experience benefited you at this point in your career?

“I definitely believe that this experience has given me confidence to pursue my idea. It’s challenging to progress what you want to do while studying, but this helps me keep momentum and stay accountable.

“One of the most important things to come out of this experience is having the chance to network with peers and professionals – connection is so important. I have a contact I’m going to meet monthly until graduation, which will help me stay motivated and continue my progress.”

Overall, how do you reflect back on your journey at GCU so far?

“I wanted to make sure that my time at university wasn’t just defined by my Masters – the Summer LaunchPad has been a great way of adding further experience. I’ve also been involved in the Student Leaders Programme, GAL (Grow, Aspire, Lead) and the GCU Employability Award.

“For me, being at university isn’t just about going along to lectures – it’s also about looking around the campus and seeing how I can develop myself through other opportunities.”

Got your own business idea? Find out more about the Entrepreneurial Hub and the opportunities available to you as a student or recent graduate

By Ross Clark
Currently studying at GCU and achieved something related to your course or in your personal life? Email me at Ross.Clark@gcu.ac.uk