Caitlin McMahon (School of Psychology) and Vidhya Sri Gummadavelli (School of Biological Science) are the first students to be granted this scholarship.

Caitlin has been running her business Rust and Thread for just over a year, sourcing vintage clothing and selling it online. She plans to spend her placement year growing the business’s online presence. She will be applying her Psychology knowledge to develop a brand that resonates with her target audience.

“When I found out I’d been awarded the scholarship, I was genuinely over the moon. It felt like a huge vote of confidence in both me and the potential of my business. It’s exciting to know that others believe in what I’m building, and it’s given me even more motivation to make the most of this opportunity.”

 

Vidhya will be applying her Biochemistry degree in creating beauty and body care products using natural ingredients as part of her plans for her business Veda Beauty and Body. She plans to spend the year prototyping products and conducting market testing.

“I was drawn to the values behind the scholarship and the community it fosters. I wanted to be part of a network that encourages ambition, innovation, and social impact. Applying was my way of taking a step closer to creating something meaningful—not just for myself, but for others as well.”

 

InQUBate is a network of key stakeholders across the university that harness the potential of enterprise, entrepreneurship and innovation resources across six areas: QUBIS, Alumni Engagement and Philanthropy, Student and Campus Experience, The Graduate School, Queen's Business School and SU Enterprise.

The InQUBate Year in Enterprise Scholarship was established to give entrepreneurial students the opportunity to spend their placement year developing their own business ideas, while also building valuable skills, industry knowledge, and professional networks.

This initiative reflects Queen’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial talent and creating real-world opportunities for students to apply their academic knowledge. By backing student startups through funding, mentorship and resources, Queen’s champions enterprise as a vital part of the student experience and supports the development of new ventures that contribute to the local community and economy.

If you would like to find out more about the InQUBate Year in Enterprise scholarship, please contact inqubate@qub.ac.uk

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inqubate@qub.ac.uk