Igniting Student Entrepreneurship: Liam and the Fireside Chat that Lit Up Demo Night London

Demo Night London this October opened with a spark — and that spark was Liam, founder of StudentVenture, taking the stage for an inspiring fireside chat that captured the imagination of first-time founders, investors, and students alike.

Liam, who has been part of the Canopy Community for the past six months, introduced a bold idea — a platform that could become “the LinkedIn for students.” Backed by UNiDAYS, which connects millions of students globally, StudentVenture is creating a new way for students to showcase what they can do rather than just what they know.

“We want to invest in the founder, not just the idea,” Liam explained. “The idea might change — but tenacity, energy, and vision are what make a real entrepreneur.”

This fireside chat wasn’t just talk — it was a launchpad. Liam unveiled an upcoming entrepreneurship event taking place in March 2026, where 100 student founders will be selected from thousands of applicants. The finalists will pitch in London to a live audience and a panel of high-profile investors and creators, including Steven Bartlett and Simon Squibb.

For students, this is more than a competition. It’s an opportunity to gain visibility, mentorship, and funding — and to be seen by companies like Revolut, Monzo, and Uber Eats, who are already exploring sponsorships.

From Idea to Impact

What sets StudentVenture apart is its community-driven approach. Applicants won’t just submit a deck — they’ll share a short pitch video, which can then be upvoted by peers. It’s a democratic model of founder validation — one that rewards authenticity, creativity, and community support.

In the fireside chat, Liam shared how the first stage of application is deliberately light-touch: founders need only an idea. The focus is on passion and potential — not perfection. The follow-up stages guide students to develop their pitch decks, customer discovery, and presentation skills, supported by mentors from the Canopy ecosystem.

“This is about helping students create their own future,” Liam said. “We’re here to help you move from zero to one — to be ready to stand on stage, pitch with confidence, and attract real investors.”

Why This Matters for Founders and Investors

Early-stage investors attending Demo Night were quick to see the potential. StudentVenture isn’t just a recruitment platform — it’s a talent discovery engine. For investors scouting the next generation of innovators, it offers early access to founders before they even graduate.

For students, it’s the bridge between university projects and commercial ventures, supported by a network that understands what it takes to move an idea from pitch to pilot.

And for communities like Canopy, it’s a reminder of what makes entrepreneurship so powerful: collaboration, curiosity, and courage.

The Canopy Connection

As Canopy Founder Stewart Noakes reminded the audience, “We run Demo Nights and fireside chats like this to connect founders, students, and investors across London, Lisbon, and beyond. The goal is simple — to help emerging founders get visible, validated, and invested.”

This fireside chat perfectly embodied that mission. Liam’s story, and the ambition behind StudentVenture, shows what happens when you give young entrepreneurs not just a stage, but a supportive community that believes in them.

As the lights dimmed and the first demo began, one thing was clear — this wasn’t just another startup event. It was the spark of something much bigger.

CTA:
If you’re a student founder or a first-time entrepreneur, apply now at studentventure.co or join the Canopy Community to connect with mentors, investors, and other emerging founders at www.canopy.community.

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