Applications open now for WTUN-Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programme 2025-26.
Building on the success of the first WTUN Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programme (ASEP) in 2025, we are pleased to announce the 2026 WTUN-ASEP is open for applications. The aim of the programme is to create a truly international student ASEP experience, with students coming from WTUN-participating universities as well as the co-hosts Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT).
Each WTUN member university is invited to nominate two students to join the 2026 cohort.
About ASEP:
The Accelerated Student Entrepreneurship Programmes (ASEP), established by the University of Bradford in 2016, offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of running an enterprise. These programmes are fast paced, real-life experiences, with the goal of enabling students to progress from first meeting to securing funding for a social or business enterprise in just four months. Many of the students who have attended the programme have gone on to run successful businesses
The ASEP is structured around two 5 day workshops. The first workshop focuses on introductions, generation and selection of enterprise ideas and the formation of founder teams, where appropriate. Following this workshop students receive support to develop and test their business plan. The second workshop is an entrepreneurship ‘boot camp’. Over the course of week two, founder teams finalise prototypes, concepts and designs, develop a compelling presentation and promotional literature, and on the last day have the opportunity to present to a panel of real investors and benefactors for real money with which to grow their new enterprise, in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style pitching session.
Read some of the 2025 participant’s feedback in the August edition of the WTUN newsletter here
Participation Fee:
Contribution of £500 (GBP) per student to Seed Fund. The seed funding will be invested in the most promising student enterprises at the investment pitching event.
Included (paid by hosts UOB and BUCT): Hotel accommodation, food and social activities.
Not Included: Air Fares and any visas costs (UK & China), personal expenses.
Dates of Programme:
Week One:
- The first workshop will take place in at the University of Bradford, UK 23-27 February 2026.
Week Two:
- The second workshop will take place at Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China, 8- 12 June 2026.
Participating institutions (e.g. your institute) have the opportunity to share a 10% stake in any arising enterprises involving their students.
How to apply:
Please contact the Operational Board Member for your university for more information about your universities participation and selection process. If you are not sure who this is, you can find them by clicking on your university’s profile here
An application form has been provided to all WTUN university members. Please note that you must have the approval of your university to be accepted onto this programme.
Please e-mail this completed form, along with an up to date copy of your cv, to: wtun@bradford.ac.uk by no later than the midnight on the 1st December 2025.
What are we looking for?
Entrepreneurs come in all shapes and sizes, and there is no one personal profile or personality that works best. You don’t need to have a business idea, but we are happy to support you if you do. The main attributes we are looking for are openness, an ability to learn and a willingness to have a go.
Whilst not a definitive list, in our experience our most successful entrepreneurs have many of the following qualities:
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- An open, international perspective
- An ability to form and sustain lasting relationships
- A ‘can-do’, ‘anything is possible’ approach…
- …and, evidence of having achieved challenging goals
- Determination and resilience
- A good team worker
- A sense of humour
A message from Prof Qun Shao, Deputy Director, Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE)
“These workshops will bring together the most talented and entrepreneurial minded students across different continents within the World Technology University Network to create successful international businesses. We really appreciate the support from WTUN participating institutes and the WTUN central office, and we will continue to work with WTUN member institutes to expand the programme and develop a wider entrepreneurial community for our students and staff.”
Want to hear more?
The first WTUN-ASEP Programme launched in 2025 with the first workshop taking place at the University of Bradford in February 2025. Read the full reflection of the first workshop here.
The WTUN-ASEP, organised by the Bradford-Renduchintala Enterprise Ecosystem (BREE) at University of Bradford, provided participating students guidance and coaching on ideation, business development, pitching sessions and investment opportunities for a budding enterprise alongside intensive networking with professional entrepreneurs and 29 students from around the world.
A student from Suranaree University of Technology (Khaing Ngwe Ngwe Thin) has shared a video blog of her experience at Workshop 1 in Bradford:
Ms Thin said of the programme, “The opportunity you shouldn’t miss if you are a youth who is interested in entrepreneurship.”
Finally, here is video from some of the 2025 cohorts reflecting on their experiences after both workshops: