Exploring Enterprise

Thinking about starting your own business or want to understand what skills are needed to start up? Our fully-funded Exploring Enterprise programme will get you started with understanding entrepreneurial skills, learning how to do market research, coming up with and refining a business idea, and pitching it to others.

Who is this for?

  • Those considering starting a business but unsure if it’s the right fit for them

  • Anyone wanting to understand entrepreneurship

  • If you have already started a business, this will not be the right programme for you

  • 40 hours over 4 weeks, part time

  • Hybrid format: live online sessions with a weekly in-person day

  • Practical sessions with hands-on tasks and feedback

  • Gain a Level 1 qualification

  • Progression support to help you decide what’s next

Next programme:

September 2026

ELIGIBILITY

As our programmes are funded, you will need to meet the following GLA eligibility criteria:

  • Aged 19+

  • Living in the Greater London Authority area

  • Right to work in the UK (Please note that Student Visas are not eligible)

  • Not in full time work or full time education

Age Eligibility

WYK is a non-profit organisation with a focus on supporting underrepresented young people to upskill and access employment opportunities.

As a result of this focus, we cap our age eligibility at 40.

If you meet the eligibility criteria above and would like to apply for our next programme please submit an application and we will be in touch to discuss next steps.

Applications are currently closed, please complete the expression of interest form if you would like to be informed once applications open.

Entrepreneurship

Understand entrepreneurship and key skills needed to start a business

Skills Building

Develop your entrepreneurial skills and behaviours, including creative thinking, commercial understanding and planning.

Develop a Business Idea

You’ll work on media planning projects designed to reflect real-life industry work, and to showcase your skills to employers.

Market Research

Learn how to carry out basic market research and understand your
target audience

Presentation and Pitching

Learn how to present and pitch your business idea to others

Progression Support

Finish the programme knowing if starting a business is the right path to you! We will support you in planning your next steps.

FAQs

  • As this is a funded programme, you will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

    • 19+ at the programme start date

    • Right to work in the UK (Please note that Student Visas and Graduate Visas are not eligible)

    Not eligible or not sure? Fill in our application form and the team will direct you to the right programme.

  • This is a part time programme, with 40 hours of live sessions (online and in person) over 4 weeks. You may require some additional time to complete assignments.

  • This programme is designed to help you decide if starting a business is the right fit for you. You might want to progress to further learning with us (for example a digital marketing course), or to access other local business support. We’ll help you plan your next steps.

  • This programme won’t be the right fit for you if you already have a business - it’s designed for those considering starting one or wondering if it’s the right fit.

  • You’ll just need to confirm that you can attend the sessions - please check individual programme times.

  • Apply via our website. We will review your application and eligibility.

    If you are eligible, we’ll then invite you to an informal interview (online) with a member of the WYK team.

    If successful, you’ll be invited to enrol in the programme.