60% of young people want to be their own boss – meet the four young DMU entrepreneurs taking steps to bring their dreams to life

The way we work has changed significantly over the last few decades. From the rise of AI, to hybrid working, and accessible e-commerce platforms, the ways in which people can earn a living would be almost unrecognisable to past generations. This is most evident in the rise of the entrepreneurial spirit. Fuelled by dynamic thinkers and an increasingly connected world, younger generations have a whole new world of opportunities.

Insurance company AXA released a report in 2024 which found that 60% of young people wanted to be their own boss by the age of 30. This desire is something many students at DMU will want to embrace, and something which innovative teams at the university are ready to support.

July 2025 will see the return of DMU Made's pioneering Enterprise Placement Year (EPY). Four budding entrepreneurs successfully applied for the placement, each pitching their own ideas for the next-big-thing in their industry.

What is the Enterprise Placement Year?

DMU has a long history of empowering students to gain key work skills whilst they study with us. We were recently ranked as the Best Careers Support in the UK at the TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards.

The Enterprise Placement Year (EPY) is the next step in our commitment to student employability and entrepreneurship. Second year students applied to take part in the EPY selection earlier in the year. Each had to demonstrate a business idea and impress a judging panel of academics and careers team staff from DMU Made. After this competitive process, four emerged victorious, with an offer of a placement year.

This placement year will support the four students to develop key skills that they will be able to use to launch their own businesses.

The students will be located in the 'Make Space', a practical space for design, crafting, sewing or hot-desking, located on the first floor of the Kimberlin library.  Any student or recent graduate is welcome to work from the space during library opening hours, 10am – 7am.

Enterprise Manager Simon Baines said: "The Enterprise Placement year is about developing new business ideas and the people behind them.  It's skills led, practical and because we have the luxury of twelve months with the participants, it serves as a real journey for them.  We are excited to kick off another year of workshops, one-to-one guidance and co-working in our new home in the Kimberlin Library".

Meet this year's Enterprise Placement Year participants

Each of the new cohort have demonstrated a strong understanding of business. Below, each of the 25/26 cohort describe the business idea they pitched to win the coveted place on the EPY.  

Azalea Morris – Contour Fashion 

​"My business proposal is a womenswear streetwear brand that focuses on bold statement pieces with high-quality construction and standout details. As someone who's always loved expressive, head-turning fashion, I've found there's a real gap in the market when it comes to women's streetwear that feels elevated but still wearable and fun. I applied for the Enterprise Placement Year because I'm genuinely excited about the chance to take this idea seriously and give it the time and structure it deserves."

Daniel Gilmore – Business Entrepreneurship and Innovation

"My business idea is focused on creating and managing small-sided football leagues exclusively for university students. I aim to provide a fun, competitive, and accessible way to play for anyone who is interested. I applied for the Enterprise Placement Year because I'm passionate about bringing this idea to life, having based two of my university assignments on this idea so far. I hope to gain invaluable skills in marketing, networking and to be able to develop an understanding of the student sports industry. Ultimately, my goal is to establish a thriving network of university football leagues."

Chloe Munday – Contour Fashion 

"As a Contour Fashion student I have a strong passion for alternative fashion, which directly influences my business - an independent lingerie brand that sells alternative style pieces, in hopes of encouraging women to embrace their individuality and feel empowered. I chose the Enterprise Placement because it offers me the chance to explore all areas of business while providing me with invaluable support as I launch and grow my brand. I hope to gain a well-rounded understanding of industry, entrepreneurship, and the practical skills needed to turn my creative vision into a sustainable business."

Carolina Diel – Game Art

"As well as being a Game Art student, I am co-founder of an indie game studio. This summer, I'll begin developing my business' first product: The Wand Thief, a family-friendly strategy card game where players become novice detectives, working to recover stolen treasures from a mischievous thief. Throughout the year I will passionately illustrate every card, meticulously document the journey, and regularly playtest. I applied to the Enterprise Placement Year to dedicate focused time for this project, and gain structured support in building entrepreneurial skills."

The Enterprise Placement Year will run from July 2025 – June 2026, and you can follow the progress of the scheme and the businesses by engaging with DMU Made: https://www.dmumade.com/

If any current student or recent graduate you teach or support are interested in learning skills associated with freelancing, side-hustles, self-employment, pre-startup business support or entrepreneurial skills can find out more about upcoming programmes and events such as the free online Summer School from DMU Made at dmumade.com/take-part.