Global Entrepreneurship Week: Celebrating Creative Enterprise at USW

As we mark Global Entrepreneurship Week (17–23 November), this year’s theme — Together We Build — highlights the power of collaboration and community in developing new ideas. A key example of this support is the launch of the Startup Stiwdio Shop, a brand-new creative retail space located in the Students’ Union on the Treforest Campus.

This vibrant addition to campus life provides a dedicated test-trading environment for emerging artists, designers and makers who are part of the University’s Startup Stiwdio community.

Run and stocked by a mixture of USW students and graduates, Stiwdio alumni and former colleagues who have taken part in the Stiwdio’s enterprise programmes, the shop features a curated range of handmade and upcycled products, produced with a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical sourcing. 

Meet the Makers 

The Startup Stiwdio Shop currently showcases work from three talented creatives: 

Serendipity Silver – handcrafted rings and necklaces made from recycled sterling silver and ethically sourced semi-precious gemstones. 

Eve G Design – upcycled embroidered and printed clothing, alongside a selection of handpicked vintage items. 

Bombus Remade – unique accessories, bags and laptop cases crafted from repurposed textile waste. 

Opening hours: 
Monday: 10am–3pm 
Tuesday: 11am–3pm 
Friday: 10am–3pm 

The Stiwdio team plans to welcome additional makers over time. In true collaborative spirit, those selling their work also help in running the shop. There are also plans for new workshops, including clothing repair and jewellery-making sessions, offering further opportunities for students and the local community to get involved. 

This initiative is the latest development from USW’s Times Higher Education Award-nominated graduate business incubator, which helps members turn their ideas into sustainable ventures. 

Startup Stiwdio Manager Richie Turner shared his enthusiasm: 

“We have always looked to provide new services to help our members start their businesses. We offer free access to high-quality AV equipment at our Cardiff Stiwdio and a dedicated counselling room for therapy-sector entrepreneurs at Treforest. Creating our first test-trade shop has always been a goal, so when the chance to partner with the Students’ Union came up, I jumped at it. I’d like to encourage Treforest-based staff to pop in and support this new initiative — you might even find the perfect birthday or Christmas gift.” 

Chief Executive of the Students’ Union, Mark Cadwallader, added: 

“USWSU is delighted to support entrepreneurial students and graduates by providing accessible spaces to develop successful businesses within our community. Working with Startup Stiwdio, we’ve created a bespoke retail environment that complements the SU’s existing retail offer for the benefit of students, colleagues and partners.” 

The launch comes at an exciting time for the Students’ Union, which is undergoing a modern refresh, with new catering and social spaces and the upcoming reopening of the refurbished Eclipse nightclub.