Enterprise Placement Year Success 

Empowering Students’ Enterprise Journeys with Validate: Insights from Dr. Amanda Berry at Loughborough University.

A Unique Programme, A Unique Solution 

Loughborough University’s Year in Enterprise offers students a rare opportunity to dedicate a full placement year to setting up and running their own business. While this approach provides unparalleled hands-on experience, it also comes with unique challenges. Dr. Berry explains: 

“I do a training programme with students at the beginning and have monthly catchups with them throughout the year. But I needed something that they could engage with in between that I could monitor and Validate offered me that solution.” 

Having used other SimVenture products in the past, Dr. Berry was confident in Validate’s quality. Its well-researched and user-friendly design made it a natural fit for bridging the gaps between formal sessions. 

Engagement through simplicity and structure 

Validate’s modern, intuitive interface quickly won over the students. Dr. Berry noted that the platform’s classroom integration was both engaging and enlightening: 

“The students liked the modern user-friendly interface. We used it in the classroom, and it was fun to fill in. I could go around looking over their shoulders, asking them questions about what they were entering.” 

But Validate didn’t just simplify the documentation process—it served as a reality check. By visualising their business propositions and prompting deeper reflection, students realized the extent of research required to validate their ideas. This proved especially beneficial for encouraging primary research—a step many students are hesitant to undertake despite having digital tools readily available. 

Balancing freedom with accountability 

A Enterprise Placement Year differs radically from traditional lecture-based learning. With freedom to shape their own schedules and business goals, students often struggle with the lack of structure. Validate played a pivotal role in providing a framework without infringing on their autonomy: 

“I don’t want to feel like I’m in control, checking up on them like a parent figure. But I do need to keep them on track. Having Validate in the background provides a common platform we can both look at.” 

By tracking student input and activity, Validate allowed Dr. Berry to monitor progress and guide discussions without feeling overbearing. The platform’s unique ability to frame conversations around students’ own data—their goals, assumptions, and actions—enabled constructive, personalised feedback: 

“We can look back at the assumptions they had at the beginning of the programme and challenge them as to whether they have tested those assumptions. It’s unlike any other teaching material in that the content is what they’ve inputted.” 

Reflecting on the experience 

Dr. Berry’s reflections highlight Validate’s value not just as a teaching tool but as a partner in her students’ entrepreneurial journeys. It provided structure without stifling independence, encouraged accountability without micromanagement, and fostered meaningful learning through self-reflection and research. 

“It’s having that ability to keep track of them without feeling like you’re spying on them, which is a really useful thing.” 

Looking ahead with Validate 

Validate has proven to be a transformative tool for Loughborough University’s Year in Enterprise, offering a blend of structure, engagement, and accountability. Since its adoption in 2018, Validate remains an integral part of the programme, continuing to support students and educators alike. At SimVenture, we’re thrilled to support educators like Dr. Berry in equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to thrive as entrepreneurs. 

If you’d like to learn more about how Validate can support your institution or programme, book a demo today.