Student Accelerator AMA: Your FAQs Answered

Everything you need to know before the January deadline

In early January, Canopy Community hosted a live AMA webinar with the Founder of Student Venture, alongside our partners at UNiDAYS, to answer the most common questions about the new UNiDAYS Student Accelerator Programme.

With applications closing at the end of January, this session was designed to remove uncertainty, lower barriers, and make it crystal clear who this programme is for and how it works. Below is a structured FAQ summary based directly on the live discussion .

What is the UNiDAYS Student Accelerator?

It’s a UK-wide, online-first startup accelerator built specifically for students and recent graduates. The goal is simple: turn early ideas into investment-ready ventures, regardless of background, subject studied, or personal finances.

The programme is a collaboration between UNiDAYS, Student Venture, and Canopy Community—bringing together student reach, early-stage education, and real investor access.

Who can apply?

You can apply if you:

• Are 18+

• Have a UNiDAYS account

• Are a current student or recent graduate

• Have an idea (you do not need a registered company)

There are no subject, discipline, or sector restrictions. Tech and non-tech ideas are equally welcome.

Do I need a fully built startup?

No. You can apply with:

• A rough idea

• A problem you want to solve

• Something you have not yet tested

The accelerator is designed to help you shape, validate, and pitch—not reward polish or privilege.

Is this only for tech startups?

Absolutely not.

Ideas can be in:

• Fashion

• Sport

• Health

• Creative industries

• B2B or B2C

• SaaS or non-tech services

What matters is clarity of problem, curiosity about customers, and willingness to learn.

Can teams apply, or only solo founders?

Both are welcome.

• Teams of any size can apply (one application per startup)

• Solo founders are supported

• Mixed teams of students and graduates are allowed

Investors will have different preferences, and the programme helps you understand those differences.

Can international students studying in the UK apply?

Yes. If you have a UNiDAYS account and are studying at a UK university, you are eligible.

How does the accelerator actually work?

Key dates

• Applications close: End of January

• Top 100 announced: Early February

• Programme starts: Mid-February

• London Final: April

Structure

• Fully online for the Top 100

• Weekly content released on Mondays

• Group coaching calls every Friday

• Focus areas include:

  • Idea clarity

  • Customer discovery

  • MVP thinking

  • Pitch development

The programme is designed to fit around studies, work, and life—expect manageable weekly time commitments, not full-time attendance.

What happens if I’m not selected for the Top 100?

This was a major FAQ—and an important one.

If you’re not selected, you’ll be offered access to a parallel programme for £1. This is not a consolation prize. It gives you:

• The same core entrepreneurship education

• Tools you can use for life

• A second pathway back into later stages

The £1 is intentional—it creates commitment without creating barriers.

What happens at the London Final?

From the Top 100, 10 founders will be invited to London for a two-day experience:

• In-person pitch practice

• Dinner with investors

• Breakfast with potential partners and customers

• A live pitch event in front of a high-profile panel

The panel includes Simon Squibb and experienced early-stage investors.

There is expected to be £100,000 of investment available from the Canopy Fund on the day, with additional follow-on opportunities from other panel members.

What do students actually gain from this?

Even without investment, participants gain:

• A national peer network of ambitious students

• Real experience of pitching and feedback

• Confidence in entrepreneurial thinking

• Exposure to investors and partners

• A clearer sense of direction—startup or not

Entrepreneurship skills transfer directly into employment, freelancing, and leadership.

Why does this programme exist?

Because opportunity is not evenly distributed in the UK and we wanted to level the playing field.

This accelerator was intentionally designed to:

• Remove financial barriers

• Reduce reliance on personal networks

• Support underrepresented founders

• Give students a credible alternative to a tough graduate job market

It is about agency, not just startups.

Final call to action: spread the word

If you know a student with an idea—even a half-formed one—send them this programme.

• Applications close at the end of January

• It costs nothing to apply

• It could change someone’s trajectory

Entrepreneurship grows through shared opportunity. Help us make sure it reaches the people who need it most.

This article is based on the live AMA webinar delivered by Canopy Community & Student Venture in January 2026.  Watch the full vid back on https://www.youtube.com/live/5nxrKb7I_7E?si=jkLo5fMTb_R3RbQn 

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