Meet the young founders proving that university isn’t the only route to success
For a growing number of young people, Results Day is no longer just about deciding which university to attend. While university has long been seen as the traditional next step, the way young people are building their careers is changing. Entrepreneurship is becoming increasingly attractive and accessible option, with more young people looking to create a future on their own terms
New research from Virgin StartUp found that 85% of parents would support their child starting a business this year, while more than a third (35%) would prefer them to pursue entrepreneurship rather than go to university.
For Virgin StartUp founders like Fin Doyle and Jordan Lansdown, receiving Start Up Loans early in their founder journeys helped them pursue a less traditional path that has since led to real success.
Fin Doyle, 22, from North London, is the founder of Miue, a wine-inspired, non-alcoholic drinks brand. He dropped out of university to pursue the business full-time after spotting a gap in the market for more exciting alcohol-free options.
“I was studying Geography at Newcastle when I started exploring the idea. I approached a Chemistry professor to learn more about how dealcoholised wine was made, and as the business began to take shape, I decided to leave university and focus on it full-time.
“Dropping out of university to build a drinks brand wasn’t the most conventional path, and my parents were understandably nervous at first. It felt like a real leap into the unknown, but they supported me emotionally, trusted my judgement and never tried to push me back towards a safer route.
“Now that the business is growing and gaining traction, my parents are incredibly proud and feel much more confident about the decision.”
Fin’s experience reflects a wider shift in how families think about traditional career paths, with Virgin StartUp’s research finding that four in 10 parents believe a university degree is less important to building a successful career than it was 20 years ago.
Jordan Lansdown, 27, from Gloucestershire, is the founder of JLUXE, an activewear brand she started from her spare bedroom after deciding university wasn’t right for her.
Using a £4,000 loan from her grandma, Jordan taught herself marketing, branding and product development while building the business. JLUXE has since grown into a seven-figure brand,
“University wasn’t something I wanted to do, instead I knew I wanted to build something of my own. It wasn’t the conventional route at the time, so naturally my family had questions, but I was determined to give it a go.
“Social media and e-commerce have completely changed what’s possible. You can now start a business from your bedroom with very little money and reach customers around the world. It’s not easy or an overnight success, but it’s a genuine career path nowadays.
“To anyone receiving their A Level results, remember that they don’t define the rest of your life. University is an amazing option for many people, but it’s not the only path to success. Explore your ideas, be open to learning, and remember that success comes from consistency.”
This focus on learning is reflected in parents’ views, with nearly nine in 10 parents saying entrepreneurial skills should be taught in schools. Financial literacy, problem-solving and communication were among the skills they most want young people to develop.
Andy Fishburn, Managing Director of Virgin StartUp, said: “At Virgin StartUp, we want to inspire the next generation of founders by making entrepreneurship feel like an accessible and achievable career option.
“We’re seeing more young people think about starting a business rather than automatically following a traditional academic route. Technology and AI are helping to level the playing field by giving people greater access to advice, skills and tools.
“But entrepreneurship is also an opportunity to build something on your own terms. That sense of independence, creativity and purpose is a powerful draw for younger generations.”
Fin and Jordan’s stories show there is no single route to success, but having the right support can make taking a different path feel possible. Virgin StartUp is helping the next generation of entrepreneurs back their ideas, providing the funding, support and expertise to help turn an idea into a successful business.