Warwick Business School are partnering with Heropreneurs again this year to offer transformative scholarships for our prestigious MBA programmes, including a 100% scholarship for one winner and significant scholarships for runners up.

We encourage applications from veterans, reservists, and serving personnel from the British Armed Forces and their families at any stage in their careers - find out more and how to apply, or take a look at our Heropreneurs funding brochure.

After leaving the Army, Executive MBA participant Nathan began exploring the next step in his career while developing the foundations of a start-up idea. In this blog, he shares how the Heropreneurs MBA Award helped him overcome financial barriers, build confidence in his entrepreneurial ambitions and begin his journey as both an MBA student and business founder.

I submitted my notice to leave the Army in June 2024, unsure of what would come next. I explored consulting roles both in the UK and overseas, but opportunities were limited. At the same time, I had an idea that could form the foundations of my own business — but like many service leavers, I wasn’t yet ready to fully commit to it.

Discovering the Heropreneurs MBA Award

By March 2025, I still hadn’t launched my start‑up and was continuing to look for employment. During my resettlement, I became increasingly aware of my lack of experience in the corporate world and wanted a way to improve both my knowledge and employability.

An MBA felt like an excellent way to address that gap, but the cost was prohibitive. When I saw a LinkedIn post about the Heropreneurs MBA Award, it immediately caught my attention. The potential scholarships available, combined with Warwick Business School’s flexible payment options, removed a significant barrier and made the opportunity feel achievable.

The application process

From start to finish, the application process was brilliant. The team at WBS were mentors, cheerleaders and interviewers rolled into one. They helped me overcome self-doubt and gave me the confidence to put myself forward and give it my best shot. The process itself was a valuable exercise in reflection, and I started the Executive MBA on a real wave of optimism about the future.

Starting the Executive MBA and launching my start-up

By the time the programme began in September 2025, I had also decided to commit full‑time to my start‑up. Being selected as a recipient of the Heropreneurs scholarship played a huge role in giving me the confidence to back myself and take that step. For me, the MBA is not just a qualification - it is providing the knowledge, frameworks and tools I need to make better decisions in my business. Having now completed 50% of the eight core modules, I can confidently say the MBA has become a key part of my entrepreneurial journey.

Connecting military experience with MBA learning

One of the most interesting realisations has been how closely many of the MBA frameworks align with things I learned in the Armed Forces. In many cases, I’m not learning something entirely new; I’m learning a new language to describe concepts I already understood through experience. Where ideas and tools are new, the academics at WBS are outstanding. They make complex subjects accessible and relevant - and I genuinely wish learning had been like this when I was younger.

The standout highlight for me, though, is the people. I am learning alongside an exceptional group of professionals and entrepreneurs, and I’m continually humbled by their experience, openness and support.

Advice for future applicants

I would strongly encourage other service leavers and veterans to apply for the Heropreneurs Awards. The application process alone helped me reflect positively on my military career and clarify what I wanted to do next. There are more scholarship opportunities available than many people realise, and the learning environment at WBS is genuinely world‑class. If you are considering your next step, I would urge you to put yourself forward.