Programme structure

Eight working sessions. One public finish.

BCU Innovation Labs runs across eight structured sessions, followed by a public Demo Day at Innovation Fest. Each session focuses on a key pillar of early-stage venture development so that students build momentum in the right order, rather than trying to improvise everything at once.

Cohort
I
Core sessions
8
Final event
Demo Day
Runs from
6 Mar — 20 May 2026

The full programme sequence.

The sequence moves from orientation and enterprise support into positioning, technical capability, design psychology, legal awareness, and business fundamentals before finishing with founder-facing preparation and a public showcase.

  1. Session 1

    Introduction and Programme Orientation

    Type
    Orientation
  2. Session 2

    Enterprise Fundamentals and Startup Advice

    Type
    Validation
    Contributors
    Jennine Jones
  3. Session 3

    Brand Identity and Positioning

    Type
    Branding
    Contributors
    Dr Colin Akhurst
  4. Session 4

    AI Tools for Building and Prototyping, and Cyber Security Fundamentals

    Type
    Technical
  5. Session 5

    Psychology of Design and User Perception

    Type
    Design
    Contributors
    Bra'ah Awadh
  6. Session 6

    Intellectual Property and Legal Awareness

    Type
    Legal
    Contributors
    Gia Dhami
  7. Session 7

    Business Fundamentals

    Type
    Strategy
  8. Session 8

    Programme Roundup and Meet the Founders Day

    Type
    Founders
    Contributors
    TBC
  9. Final event

    Demo Day at Innovation Fest — Live pitching and startup expo

    Type
    Public showcase
    Led by
    STEAMhouse, Birmingham
    Format
    Free, open to the public

The programme finishes where it should: in front of people.

Demo Day is where Cohort I presents the work publicly at Innovation Fest in STEAMhouse, Birmingham.

See Demo Day