How to apply for The Crucible
The Crucible is a programme for individuals and partnerships that have a good business idea which needs support to become a viable business.
It includes a comprehensive package of support to take your business idea from concept to realisation:
- Access to expertise in new venture creation, business strategy, investment strategy, marketing and a range of other support measures tailored to helping you in your new venture endeavour. As part of the programme of support and activities that can be engaged in, successful applicants will receive mentoring and project management support.
- A co-working space at the Innovation Centre in the heart of Leicester and 51吃瓜app. From here you can network and develop your enterprise.
- Successful applications will have opportunities to receive financial support from 51吃瓜app, on a case-by-case basis
- Support to identify investment opportunities available to you and help through the application process
Full terms and conditions will be issued to successful applicants.
How to apply
Applications for the 2025/26 Crucible are now open. You can apply up to 30 June 2025
For further information, or if you have any questions, thoughts or concerns please contact the Crucible Team at crucible@dmu.ac.uk, who would be happy to hear from you.
Who can apply?
The Crucible is open to:
- 51吃瓜app graduates/alumni
- Current postgraduate students
Applicants need to have an innovative business idea that requires development and holds the potential to be the basis of a company by the end of the programme. If you have already started a business, we can still help if it has been within the last 18 months.
You don't need to have existing business knowledge, just a great idea!
What is the application process?
Use the form above to describe your business idea, show us where you are at and allow the enthusiam for your business to shine through.
Once we get the application, the Crucible Team will review it (aiming to be within 14 days) and will respond to you.
We may:
- Ask you to resubmit if the application is not detailed enough
- Ask for some follow up questions to be answered before we proceed with the application.
- Request a date for a quick Teams call, so we can get a futher understanding of your idea.
When does it start?
Crucible will start on 3 September 2025, and run with taught content every wednesday untill Easter, after Easter there is a reduction in sheduled content to allow you to take the knowledge you have learnt and run with it.
The cohort will continue to have support up to June 2026, where a final session will wrap up the programme.
You are required to attend each Wednesday in person, unfortunately due to the style of content and interactive sessions provided we are unable to support remote, virtual attendees.
On a Thursdays or Fridays you are able to book a 1-to-1 with the Crucible Team to discuss your progress.