The Shard at night where WBS London is based

The sky's the limit: Ambitious entrepreneurs gain year-long support on the start-up programme at The Shard

Strategy consultant Vanessa Rungapamestry says the 16-strong advisory board provides decades of experience to founders joining the Warwick Enterprise Start-up Programme at The Shard. 

Board member Vanessa brings more than 15 years’ experience across life sciences, nutrition, health, and innovation, and is joined by business owners and experts in start-ups, technology, investment, law, marketing and more to help entrepreneurs get their business idea off the ground. 

The Warwick MBA graduate, who has advised venture capital funds managing up to €200 million, has a great deal of experience in helping early-stage ventures. 

“The board offers founders experienced, independent, but complementary, perspectives to help them step back and think more strategically,” says Vanessa. “We support founders by challenging assumptions, helping them prioritise what really matters, and guiding them through key stages such as validation, commercialisation and investment readiness.  

“I’ve worked both as an operator and an adviser, alongside founders, venture funds, industry leaders, academics, and government, helping ventures sharpen their value proposition, validate their ideas, and get ready for investment and growth.”  

Fellow board member Robyn Hey, a legal director in the commercial department of a top-50 commercial law firm, says the advisory board also helps shape the start-up programme itself as well as challenge and guide founders. 

“Access to this level of expertise would be well outside of the budget for most founders. This programme provides them not only with critical advice but also access to our own networks,” says Robyn, who has advised SMEs and large companies for 24 years and ran her own law firm in South Africa before moving to the UK. 

“My role is very much to act as a sounding board, asking the right questions, offering structured guidance, and helping founders focus on the milestones that will move their venture forward.”  

As well as mentoring from the advisory board, start-ups on the programme at WBS London at The Shard have access to networking events, skills-building workshops, monthly one-to-one coaching sessions and help to create a validated business model and an investor-ready pitch at the end of the 12 months. 

Alexander McLeod, Start-up Coach on the programme who has 15 years of experience advising entrepreneurs, said: “Those joining the start-up programme can expect to be part of a vibrant community, with fantastic opportunities to network with academics and business experts inside and outside Warwick. They will also have tailored one-to-one support, where they can unpack how their business is doing in a safe place. 

“The programme is absolutely free of charge. All we are asking for is your commitment, passion and willingness to try to make something happen. The University doesn’t take a stake in your start-up, so this is a great opportunity to start your own business and gain expert advice along the journey.” 

London start-up support brings clarity

Vanessa believes the programme helps start-ups sharpen their value proposition, a vital ingredient in becoming a business with sustainable growth. 

“Clarity, focused execution, and coachability are critical for founders,” she adds. “Start-ups need a clear understanding of the problem they’re solving, who it’s for, and why it matters. 

“Those who are open to feedback, willing to prioritise, and able to test and validate their assumptions early tend to build momentum much more quickly. 

“Being based at The Shard places founders right in the middle of London’s start-up, investment, and innovation ecosystem. That proximity creates real opportunities for networking, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement, which can significantly accelerate learning, visibility, and growth.” 

The start-up programme is open to applications from University of Warwick students and graduates, with the inaugural cohort at WBS London at The Shard featuring 17 early-stage businesses, spanning sectors from agritech and healthcare to AI-driven compliance and personal branding. 

“Dealing with the less exciting elements of running a business is where true focus is necessary,” says Robyn. “It takes grit to hang in there through the hard times and to face difficulties - acting rather than hoping they will resolve themselves.  

“Humility comes in many forms but listening to those who have gone before is so important. You don’t have to take everything on board, but asking questions, listening to the experiences of others, and really considering what you have heard rather than assuming you know better can make all the difference.”

Discover more about entrepreneurship at Warwick Business School.