Top 10 for the 17th year running for graduate enterprise

Graduate businesses founded by Northumbria University students and alumni are generating an estimated £166.7 million in annual turnover and supporting 1,645 jobs across the UK, as the University marks its 17th consecutive year in the UK top 10 for graduate enterprise.

The latest Higher Education Business and Communities Interaction (HEBCIS) survey, covering the academic year 2024/25, shows Northumbria has 224 active trading enterprises founded by current students and graduates - the majority of them based in the North East.

The University ranks 8th in the UK and 1st in the North East for the number of jobs those active firms support, and 6th in the UK and 2nd in the North East for their estimated turnover. It is also placed 16th in the UK – and 1st in the North East - for external investment raised by graduate businesses.

This is the 17th year in a row that Northumbria has been ranked in the UK top 10 on the estimated turnover metric - including 13 years in the top five, eight years in the top three, and five years in the number one position.

The figures reflect both the entrepreneurial drive of Northumbria graduates and the support available to business-minded students through the University's Student and Graduate Enterprise service. This includes entrepreneurial skills training, incubation and co-working space, workshops, mentoring, and specialist advice on areas including IP, legal, marketing, sales, business growth and finance.

Commenting on the results, Dr Heather Robson, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) at Northumbria University, said: "Seventeen years in the top 10 for estimated turnover is a milestone very few universities can match. What's particularly encouraging this year is the strength of our position on jobs created - ranked first in the North East and eighth in the UK. That points to graduate businesses that are not only launching, but scaling, hiring, and putting down roots in the region."

Northumbria graduate enterprise in action

Jack Parker, AIATELLA

Biomedical Science graduate Jack Parker is the CEO and co-founder of AIATELLA, a UK-Finnish AI healthcare company developing technology that can reduce cardiovascular diagnosis time from upwards of 30 minutes to under three minutes. Jack - who grew up in Walker in Newcastle and was one of just nine students from his high school to go on to university - was inspired to develop the technology after his father suffered a heart attack while waiting for a scan to be read. AIATELLA's AI software is currently undergoing clinical evaluation with three NHS trusts across the North East and the company has run prevention-focused screening initiatives with community groups including the Apna Ghar Women's Centre in South Tyneside. Jack has received support from Northumbria University's Incubator Hub, including connections to the Department of Business and Trade and guidance on corporate governance.

Rehan Malik, Coherent 360

Rehan Malik, who co-created one of Thailand's biggest Netflix shows, Bangkok Breaking, is now using AI to transform how the film and television industry works. After studying Northumbria's Computer Science with Artificial Intelligence Master's programme remotely from Dubai before relocating to Newcastle, Rehan founded Coherent 360, a human-centred AI lab developing tools designed to support – rather than replace - the writers and creatives behind film and TV. The company is currently building two flagship products: a production management platform that automates scheduling, budgeting and progress reporting; and a collaborative AI writing tool that allows screenwriters to create virtual versions of their characters and interact with them as creative partners. Rehan credits Northumbria's Incubator Hub with connecting him to experienced business advisors, marketing and sales expertise, venture capitalists and government funding routes, including the British Business Bank.

Read more about the support available for students and graduates interested in starting a business at Northumbria University.

Read last year's HEBCIS announcement: Top 10 for the 16th consecutive year.