The number of graduates from Leicestershire’s three universities starting a business has grown, new figures show.
In total 175 startups were formed by grads from De Montfort University, the University of Leicester and Loughborough University between 2020/21.
This is up from 156 from 2019/20, according to findings by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
De Montfort University is responsible for the vast majority (140) and is ranked seventh nationally for most student and graduate startups.
Loughborough University had 24 and The University of Leicester had 11.
Simon Baines, DMU Works Enterprise manager, said:
“This is a fantastic result for us and all involved in delivering activities relating to entrepreneurship at DMU, but more so, it is a real testament to our phenomenal students and graduates who engage.
“We set out a couple of years ago to position DMU Entrepreneurship alongside faculty-wide initiatives like DMU Sport and DMU Global and the response we have had since is fantastic.
“Research shows that a rapidly increasing number of students are starting businesses during their studies and more graduates are seeing self-employment as a viable and attractive option.
“It isn’t just about starting businesses though, we’re here to support and empower any student or graduate who would like to develop entrepreneurial skills whether they want to apply them within their own venture or in a job.
“We encourage anybody interested to get in touch or visit dmumade.com and get involved”.