5 student-run start-ups that prove anything in life is possible
Do you feel inspired by these student-run start-ups? Source: Shutterstock

Balancing your start-up idea with your university course may seem like an impossible task at first, but with the right direction and career support services behind you, you could strike success!

Follow your own path to success. Source: Giphy

To inspire you, here are five incredible start-up companies that made it big and were established by students…

1. Skinnydip London

Alongside two of his friends, student entrepreneur Lewis Blitz established a snazzy start-up company called SkinnyDip in 2011.

By steering consumers towards their colourful phone cases, the three business minds expanded their brand to include beauty, stationery, jewellery and fashion – with a 34-line own-brand clothing range!

2. Save the student

 

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Plans = ruined 😭 #meme #studentmeme #university #studentproblems #studentlife

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As you’d have probably guessed, this start-up is no stranger to the burdens of the student life and the time pressures of a degree.

Owned by former student Owen Burek, he explains that, “It was in a cold, damp Manchester dorm room that I took the bold leap to splash out $7.19 on the domain name savethestudent.org.

“Save the Student made zero money for many years, but I really loved writing and building it. I was my audience, playing my game.”

3. WordPress

 

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Let’s make that dream a reality, shall we? You can. You will. We’ll help. #anythingispossible

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Instead of focusing on number-crunching and accounts, this start-up’s founders focused on the power of pressing words.

Launched by Michel Valdrighi in 2001 and helped by undergrad Matt Mullenweg in 2002, WordPress rose to success and is a major blogging platform for most media publications today.

4. Reddit

Reddit, otherwise known as ‘the front page of the internet’ is a start-up force to be reckoned with.

Starting its journey in 2005 with University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit revels in social news and citizen journalism – a great invention of the 21st century!

5. Gymshark

Aston University student, Ben Francis founded his company Gymshark in his parents’ garage in 2012.

Now, seven years later, it has evolved into an incredible fitness success! As Francis expects his 2018 turnover to reach £100m, he has influenced many other students to work on their brands while juggling a part-time job and a university course.

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