Plug-in Programme

The Plug-in Programme is a cross-disciplinary innovation and entrepreneurship initiative designed to operate outside traditional academic boundaries. It aims to ignite creativity, cultivate entrepreneurial capability, and bridge academia with real-world impact. 

The programme provides a valuable opportunity for participants to learn entrepreneurial knowledge and skills as well as develop innovative thinking and teamwork abilities. Rooted in inclusiveness, experimentation, and global thinking, the programme empowers students to become future-ready innovators equipped to tackle the world’s pressing challenges.

Plug-in Programme provides a comprehensive entrepreneurial learning experience, including in-class presentations, weekday online mentorship support, and pitch day. International speakers bring real-world insights on topics such as idea generation, Minimum Viable Product (MVP) development, pitching strategies, and educational innovation. Through one-on-one mentoring and hands-on activities, students refine their creative concepts and sharpen their business acumen. By the end of the training, participants are equipped to present well-structured business proposals that cover key dimensions including problem identification, solution design, business model development, go-to-market strategy, resource requirements, and brand positioning. It includes Ingenuity in Practice I, Continuum Showcase I, Ingenuity in Practice II and Continuum Showcase II.

Summer Bootcamp

An intensive entrepreneurial sprint designed to equip participants with essential startup skills. Key topics include Minimum Viable Product (MVP) strategy, rapid prototyping and testing, market research and positioning, financial planning, go-to-market (GTM) strategy, legal and intellectual property considerations, pitch development, and investor readiness.

Ingenuity Competition and Ingenuity Startup Fund

Participants present their refined business ideas to a panel of judges composed of global venture capitalists, private equity professionals, and innovation leaders. Outstanding teams will receive awards and may be eligible for the Ingenuity Startup Fund to support proof-of-concept and early-stage development.

• In March 2025, Ingenuity in Practice 1 and Continuum Showcase I was successfully delivered in collaboration with Ingenuity Lab, University of Nottingham Malaysia. 

• In April 2025, Ingenuity in Practice II and Continuum Showcase II was successfully delivered in collaboration with Ingenuity Lab, University of Nottingham UK.

• In 2024, the Summer Bootcamp jointly organised by the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) and the University of Nottingham Malaysia was successfully held.

• On 21 September, 2024, the Ingenuity Lab Competition was successfully held. The business plans of three teams were awarded Student Entrepreneurship Seed Fund (now Ingenuity Startup Fund) of 50,000 RMB, 30,000 RMB, and 20,000 RMB, respectively.