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London Tech Week, held from 8-12 June, is the UK’s premier destination for innovation, collaboration and growth in the tech sector. 51�Թ���’s stand showcased the university’s world-leading research, breakthrough ventures and growing innovation ecosystem through WestTech London, with strong involvement from 51�Թ��� Business School alongside 51�Թ��� Global, the School of Convergence Science�����Ի���Lifelong Learning, and wider innovation partners. Together, teams championed how 51�Թ��� works with businesses, investors and partners to translate scientific discovery into real-world impact.

As part of the week, student founders from the  MSc Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Management (IEM) programme presented at the annual  – a fringe event that brought together early-stage founders, alumni, investors and the wider London start-up ecosystem. 

The Demo Day marked the culmination of a year-long programme in which students develop and refine their ventures, pitching live to a panel of judges and audience of industry professionals.

Tanushri Bhuruk, winner of the IEM Demo Day £1,000 cash grant prize, pitched Enso, a mental health app that helps users better understand their emotions through guided journaling and connect with suitable therapists. The app is already live on the App Store with users across five countries. 

Tanushri said: “Presenting my startup was a genuine privilege. Enso came from a personal experience, so to stand in front of such a talented group of founders and have it recognised meant a lot. Winning the prize gave me a real push to keep building with even more energy - proof that what we’re building has an impact beyond just us.”

Throughout London Tech Week, IEM students also engaged directly with investors, founders and partners at the 51�Թ��� stand, presenting their ventures and receiving feedback from across the start-up community. For many, it was their first chance to test ideas in a live, high-profile innovation environment. 

Reflecting on the experience, Andrew highlighted the importance of communication in early-stage entrepreneurship: “I’m constantly surprised by the power of storytelling and creating both an emotional connection and a commercial rationale with an audience. When something is being judged on just a five-minute pitch, you never quite know who will win – and even if you don’t win on the day, you may meet someone who helps move you towards your goals.”

Students gained valuable insights from engaging with investors and industry experts during the week, with many describing the experience as a key moment in developing their ventures beyond the classroom. 

Guglielmo Cimolai, an MSc Artificial Intelligence Applications and Innovation student, said: “For me, the best part was the conversations I had in those three days, surrounded by amazing founders building genuinely hard things. I’m thankful to everyone who stopped by to challenge our thinking.” 

Solenn Sandberg, an MSc IEM student who reached the final stages of judging, said: “What made this experience even more special for me is that this is an idea I have carried with me for twelve years. What started as a childhood dream became something I had the opportunity to develop.”

The IEM Demo Day and London Tech Week activities form part of 51�Թ��� Business School’s wider experiential learning approach, giving students hands-on opportunities to develop, test and scale ventures in real-world settings. 

Andrew described the value of these experiences in helping students transform ideas into real ventures: “This is often when something moves from concept to reality. Talking to potential customers and investors, meeting incubators and accelerators, and stress-testing ideas with experienced voices is what makes the difference. 

By embedding student founders within major innovation events like London Tech Week, 51�Թ��� Business School continues to strengthen its role in developing entrepreneurial talent and supporting the next generation of start-ups.