Simply Do Ideas partners with the University of South Wales to launch Simply Link

The first-of-its-kind digital platform – Simply Link – is set to revolutionise how commercial organisations and universities work together.

It will enable SMEs, third sector organisations and charities to ask for assistance from students across university-wide courses via an online platform. The challenges that businesses post will be assigned to an entrepreneurial team based at the University to assess, analyse and advise businesses.

The initiative will enable students to apply themselves to real business issues, ensuring their learning is combined with live projects and applied in a commercial environment to help boost their real-world experience. In return, businesses will benefit from greater access to academia alongside strategic and creative problem solving.

Students and businesses will start using the online platform, developed by Wales-based Simply Do Ideas, this term.

Simply Do Ideas is an education technology disruptor, supporting the development and growth of early-stage business ideas through an online platform used within schools, colleges and universities. The new bespoke platform, designed for the University of South Wales, demonstrates an innovative approach to enterprise education from both partners.

Lee Sharma, founder and CEO of Simply Do Ideas, said: “The Simply Link platform is a pioneering initiative and we are proud to be part of it. Education providers have long been challenged to ensure that young people are work ready and this new platform is an exciting step to transform how this is achieved essentially creating an effective conduit between education and industry.

“By enhancing the curriculum with real and live business issues, we’re not just replicating the commercial world – we’re immersing students within it. This is all about bringing raw talent and a creative mindset together with businesses. Within the incubator of academia, we can hone this potential to create a work-ready, employable and entrepreneurial next generation that will help UK business step-up to the next level.”

Simply Link will be promoted to SMEs, third sector organisations and charities to encourage wide industry participation.

The new platform will be managed by USW Exchange, based at the University of South Wales’ Pontypridd campus, which offers services to support start-ups and help existing SMEs and social enterprises strive for growth. USW Exchange forms part of the University’s drive to support Wales’s start-up and entrepreneurial activities by focusing on increasing SME contributions to the economy, developing students with relevant skills, and enhancing the status of the University as an institution for business.

Siwan Rees, Director of USW Exchange, said: “The development of this new online platform with Simply Do Ideas will provide businesses with an easy to use online portal to raise questions around areas where they need some support. These will be assigned to an entrepreneurial team at the University, made up of students and supported by academics, to assess and provide appropriate advice. We already have students working with businesses across South Wales and the introduction of the portal will complement and enhance our ability to support business growth in the area whilst also the skills and experience of our students.

To find out more about USW Exchange and Simply Link, please visit www.uswexchange.co.uk

Article sourced from USW exchange.