i-Lab was a game-changer in my first year at University

As I start my second year at Newcastle University, I find myself reflecting on how much I’ve grown—not just academically, but also in my personal and professional development. One experience that stands out above the rest is my time with i-Lab, a hands-on initiative designed to foster entrepreneurial thinking and innovation. If you had asked me a year ago about my interest in entrepreneurship, I would have told you it was peripheral at best. Fast forward to today, and I’ve co-hosted workshops, contributed to start-up projects, grown a strong network within industry and developed an analytical approach to other personal initiatives with my personal career.

From engineering to entrepreneurship

When I first arrived at Newcastle, I was diving headfirst into a Mechanical Engineering degree, straight out of high school and a year in the military. I had no idea what to expect, especially when it came to the “business side” of things. However, through i-Lab, I discovered that my true passion lies at the intersection of engineering and entrepreneurship. Although my degree is in engineering, I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurial projects, and i-Lab gave me the perfect opportunity to explore that interest.

Over the course of the 12-week programme, i-Lab provided me with the tools, frameworks, and freedom to think creatively about real-world problems. We were tasked with developing innovative product-market fit approaches for local start-ups, and working alongside entrepreneurs and industry professionals opened my eyes to how much analysis and strategy go into making informed decisions.

Learning from diversity

One of the most impactful aspects of i-Lab was working with a diverse group of peers. We each brought our own perspectives, skill sets, and experiences to the table, which made brainstorming and problem-solving far more dynamic. This experience reinforced a key entrepreneurial lesson: the importance of collaboration and knowing when to pivot. As we worked through various projects, I learned that creativity, paired with a pinch of risk taking, can turn ideas into tangible solutions.

Through i-Lab, I gained a deeper appreciation for the entrepreneurial mindset. It’s not just about launching businesses—it’s about recognising opportunities, challenging the status quo, and having the courage to experiment and fail. These are skills that I know will serve me well, both in my studies and in my future career.

Real-world application: Chestnut-Bio and sustainability

One of the projects that stood out during i-Lab was my work with Chestnut-Bio, a company focused on biodegradable polymers. What I found particularly inspiring about Chestnut-Bio was how the founder, Ian, had built his business model around his background in farming. This personal connection to the industry made me realise that the most successful entrepreneurial ventures often stem from a founder’s passion and experience. This insight has inspired me to start thinking about my own future—what field could I see myself working in, and how can I make a real impact there?

Applying strategic thinking in the real world

One of the most surprising outcomes of my time with i-Lab has been how quickly I’ve been able to apply the strategic thinking techniques I learned to projects outside of the classroom. Take, for example, a social run club I started just a month ago. Drawing on the strategic thinking methods from i-Lab, I worked through a trial-and-error phase, refining the structure of the events and ensuring we had a system that would benefit participants long-term.

Fast forward a month, and we’ve created a successful weekly running event that’s helping people improve their athletic performance. Even more exciting, I’ve managed to convince 25 people to take on the challenge of running a half marathon for the first time in their lives! This kind of initiative would have seemed impossible to me just a few months ago, but i-Lab gave me the tools and confidence to make it happen.

Projects with the Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy

After completing i-Lab, I was fortunate enough to collaborate with the Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy, who reached out to ask for my assistance in co-hosting a workshop at Burnside College. We delivered an introductory session on entrepreneurship and enterprise to a group of 10, Year 10 students. This experience was incredibly eye-opening. It was inspiring to observe and recognise the entrepreneurial potential in students at such a young age. Despite their youth, they demonstrated a remarkable level of creativity—something that was only enhanced by their diverse personalities and interests. What struck me most was their ability to generate bold, unfiltered ideas. As teenagers, they hadn’t yet developed the biases that might cause older individuals to dismiss “unrealistic” possibilities. In fact, they seemed to embrace the very mindset that i-Lab had taught me: the ability to take risks and say “yes” to new ideas, even when the odds aren’t in your favour. It was as if they were mini entrepreneurs in the making, and it was a privilege to help nurture that potential.

Looking forward

Reflecting on everything I’ve learned during my first year, I can confidently say that i-Lab has been a pivotal experience. It not only deepened my understanding of entrepreneurship but also equipped me with the skills and mindset to approach problem-solving in new, innovative ways. This has motivated me more than ever to continue exploring the intersection of engineering, innovation, and entrepreneurship as I begin my second year at university. The opportunities are truly limitless, and I’m excited to see where these new skills and connections will take me.

One of the key lessons i-Lab taught me is the power of creativity, strategic thinking, and risk-taking, skills I’ve already started applying outside of the classroom, from launching my own social run club to co-hosting a workshop with the Rob Wood Enterprising Futures Academy. The ability to embrace unconventional ideas and take calculated risks is what drives innovation, and I now see how this entrepreneurial mindset can be applied to almost any field. Looking ahead, I’m eager to continue developing this mindset, knowing that with the right approach, anything is possible.

i-Lab has truly been the best way to conclude my first year and an even better way to start my second!