Virgin StartUp

"Taking risks—even uncomfortable ones—often isn’t as scary as it seems." 💪 Wise words of advice from Pan K, founder of Soho Language Club Ltd, who left a decade in compliance to build his own startup and help students access top UK universities. ✨ With support from a Start Up Loan from Virgin StartUp, Pan invested in exhibitions, marketing, and team support. Now he’s gearing up for big recruitment fairs in Spain and Greece in 2025 to help even more students! His advice for new founders? "Don’t be afraid to fail; it’s just a detour, not the end." As many founders know, it’s impossible to do everything alone. Pan shared that the biggest mistake founders make is not seeking support. For future and aspiring founders, he offers this reminder: "Doing everything yourself as a startup founder isn’t always the right approach. Don’t be afraid to ask for help." If you need support to make your startup dream to become a reality, explore how a Start Up Loan from Virgin StartUp could help you with founder friendly funding and business advice. You'll also join our community of over 6,000 funded founders, so why not find out what a Start Up Loan could mean for your business today. Check out our website for more information on how to apply. #VirginStartUpCommunity #EducationFounders #StartupJourney #Founders #FounderAdvice #VirginStartUp #StartUpLoans

Founders! Do you know what yesterday's budget means for you and your business? If not, Virgin StartUp MD Andy Fishburn has shared his thoughts over on our Community platform. We're sharing the key points below, but would love to know how you're feeling following yesterday's announcements in the comments below 👇. Virgin StartUp Community members can join the discussion at: https://virg.in/4ftc5bk #budget #SMEs #founders #startup #business

NEW ⭐️ Have you got your tickets to our November Changemakers yet? Here's your warning to sign up before they're all gone ‼️ Our guest is Jamie Crummie, Virgin StartUp Community Mentor, and co-founder of tech social impact company Too Good To Go ♻️ Since launching in 2017, Too Good To Go is making saving food waste easy for companies and consumers, all across the world. To date, Too Good To Go has helped 100 million consumers across 19 countries, who collectively have stopped over 350 millions meals from going to waste. Join Jamie and host Natalie Pearce to hear how he's built his company to scale whilst keeping purpose front and centre. Tickets are free, but strictly limited and available only through the Virgin StartUp Community. Join us for founder networking, some Virgin StartUp-funded snacks, and our interview with Jamie. Thanks to Virgin Money for making these events free for founders. 🗓️ 20/11/24 ⏰ 18:45 - 21:00 📍 x+why, London Tickets: https://virg.in/3CeDZZZ #VirginStartUpCommunity #NationalMentoringDay #VirginMoney #Startupevent #Startuplondon

I'm a huge fan of mentoring and its ability to bring about transformation. Having a mentor is like having a guide who only cares about your journey. Next to therapy and keeping fit, it's one of the best investments you can make in yourself. I've had amazing mentors, both professionally and personally. As I get older I am seeking out those with more specialist skills so I can keep improving. Ask me if you want some recommendations. One of my favourite mentors to this day is my dad. He has never trained in this, often tells me that what I'm about to do is totally bonkers and has very unconventional methods. Yet in every interaction I know that his perspective is coming from unconditional acceptance, trust, love and his unshakable belief that I can do whatever I set my mind to. I'm proud to have mentored for the following organisations: Virgin StartUp Inspired Women Lead! Stemettes The Girls' Network Help to Grow, Solent Mind Mentoring Entrepreneurs Who is your mentor? #NationalMentoringDay #Mentoring

⭐️ WIN a mentoring session with Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin️! ⭐ ⬇️   What would you ask the CEO of one of the most recognised brands in the world?   From managing business operations to culture, people and making strategic decisions for growth and investment - you can win 30 minutes 1-on-1 with a business icon.   To help you get inspired, this #NationalMentoringDay, we took a road trip to visit some of our newest mentors to find out what impact mentoring has had on them, and their favourite mentoring moments. Featuring:   Tiwalola Adebayo (née Ogunlesi), founder of Confident and Killing It Charlie Bowes-Lyon, co-founder of Wild Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go Suzanne Coulton, COO of The INKEY List | B Corp   Here's how you enter the competition to win a mentoring session with Josh: 1 - 🏆 Sign up for a premium account on our Community platform before Friday at 2pm  2 - 🗣️ Leave a comment on the thread in the main feed answering the question: "what’s one business challenge you’d like Josh to help with?"   UK founders only, membership by application. Terms and conditions apply.    👏 Get your questions ready and good luck!   Sign up for a premium membership on Community at: https://virg.in/3NFpYav #NationalMentoringDay #VirginStartUpCommunity #Virgin Richard Branson Holly Branson

Ever dream of a 1:1 mentoring session with a trailblazing icon?  This is your chance!    We're giving Virgin StartUp Premium Community members an exclusive mentoring opportunity with someone you won’t find anywhere else — and trust us, they’re everything you’re looking for.   🔍 Who is our mystery mentor? 🔍   We’re keeping it top secret for now, but here’s a little tease:   🚀 A visionary leader overseeing a powerhouse of 40+ companies, spanning from space travel to luxury hospitality. 🌎With over a decade of experience at the helm, they became CEO at just 38, driving innovation and sustainability across the globe. 🔴 CEO of one of the most iconic brands in the world in its 53rd year   Big reveal coming Monday 👀   In the mean time, here's to all our mentors on #NationalMentoringDay this Sunday. 

"My favourite community is this one"   Just some of the mentor magic happening every week on the Virgin StartUp Community ✨   Swipe ➡️ to see what Members are saying about the incredible impact that our 1:1 mentoring has had on them already.   Take a bow Suzanne Coulton and Denis Oakley FRSA 👏   For the next two weeks only, to celebrate National Mentoring Day, you can secure premium membership and access all our mentors for less than £13/month.   Link in the comments below 👇 #VirginStartUpCommunity #NationalMentoringDay

You asked 👉 we answered Here's the lowdown on all things Mentoring at Virgin StartUp We've brought together the best and the brightest form across industries like fashion, retail, e-commerce, HR, tech and more, so founders in our Community can access relevant and expert advice when they need it most. Sessions last 30 minutes and you book directly through the Virgin StartUp Community. Until 1st November only you can access premium membership for the Virgin StartUp Community for under £13 a month. Become a Premium Member via the link: https://virg.in/4fdBl59 #NationalMentoringDay #VirginStartUpCommunity

Verified ✅ Virgin StartUp Mentor   Have you spotted the Virgin StartUp Mentor badge? 🏅   Only Virgin StartUp Community Mentors receive this verified badge—it’s a mark of trust, credibility, and commitment to helping the next generation of founders on their entrepreneurial journey.   We’re now accepting mentor applications from founders and leaders across industries with specialised skills to support new entrepreneurs as they start and scale their businesses.   Think you’ve got what it takes to help?   Apply here: https://virg.in/3Uiv5B2   #VirginStartUpCommunity #NationalMentoringDay

🎉 Imagine this: booking a 1:1 mentoring session with the founders of Wild, Biscuiteers, Flash Pack, Grind | Certified B Corp, Spabreaks.com, and more.   Well, guess what? You can now do exactly that inside the Virgin StartUp Premium Community ⭐️   Join us over the next two weeks as we celebrate #NationaMentoringDay and our incredible mentor community by diving into the Virgin StartUp Premium Community. 🎉 You'll get exclusive access to a powerhouse lineup of mentors, ready to support your founder journey. It's like having a direct hotline to the best minds in business! 🧠   But that's not all... Next Monday, we’re giving you the chance to win a secret mentoring session with a BIG name! Any guesses? 🤔 Sign up for our premium membership to access these unmissable 1:1 sessions and stay tuned for the reveal!   At Virgin StartUp, we know how crucial mentoring is for supporting founders and small businesses. That’s why we're offering premium membership for less than £13/month. 💥   No brainer, right? Click the link in the comments to grab your discounted membership and connect with our superstar mentors—on a mission to support the next generation of founders! 🚀