Whilst earning a degree doesn’t guarantee success and the ability to run your own business, it can offer more than just theoretical knowledge. Ambitious peers, inspiring mentors, and access to valuable networks often play a key role in nurturing future entrepreneurs.

The study analysed UK university LinkedIn pages to reveal which institutions boast the highest number of alumni who have the job title of founder. Topping the list is the University of Cambridge, with 31,575 founders out of 411,219 alumni on LinkedIn.

In second spot was the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), with 28,627 founders from 313,460 alumni, followed by the University of Oxford, which has 25,758 founders among 332,803 alumni.

Eight out of the top 10 universities producing the most entrepreneurs are members of the ‘Russell Group’, with the two non-Russell group members being the University of the Arts London in 7th place, with 13,394 founders out of 121,714 alumni, and the London Business School in 9th position, which has 13,144 founders among 108,941 alumni with a business profile.

While prestigious names like Oxford, Cambridge, and LSE produce the highest number of founders overall, the true hotspots for entrepreneurial success emerge when looking at the proportion of graduates launching businesses.

London Business School takes the lead here, with an impressive 12.1% of its alumni becoming founders, surpassing Oxford and Cambridge (both 7.7%) and LSE (9%). Not far behind is the University of the Arts London, where 11% of alumni have also started their own ventures. These figures highlight that founder success isn’t just about tradition or prestige, but also about institutions that nurture creativity and innovation, as well as practical business skills.

Where startups are born: student-led business activity

Entrepreneurial drive doesn't always wait for a degree. For many students, university is viewed as a launchpad, and the latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) reiterates this. In the year 2023/2024, there were a total of 4,738 newly registered student startups from higher education institutions in the UK, but not all providers are producing them in equal numbers.

In 2023/24, the University of the Arts London topped the list for the most student-founded businesses, with 493 startups, followed by the University of East London (215), and the Royal College of Art (175).

Business leaders of tomorrow: how Gen Z differs from established business owners

The study, which explores the next generation of entrepreneurs and Gen Z business leaders, also compared the motivations for starting up a business with those of established business owners.

Whilst both established business owners and Gen Z entrepreneurs shared similar motives for wanting to set up their business – namely being their own boss, financial independence, and flexibility – they differed in other areas. One such area was financing their venture, with Gen Z owners more likely to turn to newer financing methods such as crowdfunding or business competitions, whereas established owners were more likely to turn to traditional methods such as personal savings.

Furthermore, the study found that social media creators serve as the top influence for young entrepreneurs in the digital era, surpassing conventional factors such as family, friends, and government business support initiatives.

Rob Rees, Divisional Director at Markel Direct, said: “Our study shows that whilst Gen Z are heavily influenced by the digital age for running their business, their motivations for starting a venture remain similar to those of established leaders. The number of student startups at universities reflects this generation's entrepreneurial drive and bodes well for the UK economy in the future.”

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.