LifeStart by Virgin Money: From Idea Competitions to Paid Internships

LifeStart was a youth-focused initiative launched by Virgin Money in collaboration with Virgin StartUp, with the aim of connecting students to entrepreneurial thinking and real-world career experiences. The idea was simple but powerful: partner with universities and brands like Sony and Virgin Galactic to run idea competitions, offer mentorship, and reward students with internships, experiences, and visibility.

When I joined the project, I quickly realized that the goals of Virgin Money (scale and visibility) and Virgin StartUp (quality and support of entrepreneurial talent) were not fully aligned. In a joint workshop with the two initiating teams, I helped facilitate a strategic discussion to clarify a shared purpose – ensuring the project moved forward with intention, not just ambition.

Project Overview

Client: Virgin Money & Virgin StartUp

On behalf of: HANZO STUDIO SL

My role: Community Strategist & Copy Writer

Timeline: January – December 2018

My Role

After starting as a copywriter, I transitioned into leading the community strategy, working across different stakeholders – from students to professors to corporate partners – to design a program that was relevant, inclusive, and grounded in real needs.

  • Conducted qualitative interviews with students and professors to shape our offer

  • Partnered with 36 UK universities

  • Built and led a team of student representatives to host mentoring circles locally

  • Designed and organized LifeStart Fests: on-campus events that brought young professionals into universities to speak about non-linear career paths

  • Set up mentorship circles and created career advice content tailored to Gen Z students

  • Led community operations, supported team workflows, and ensured each touchpoint reflected empathy and accessibility

Key Insights & Takeaways

  • The original framework was designed by high-achieving Millennials and Gen Xers, but didn’t always fit the lived reality of Gen Z students – many of whom found the communication style and expectations intimidating and overwhelming

  • We adjusted the approach by listening more and removing unnecessary pressure from student participation

  • UK universities were especially welcoming – LifeStart brought free resources and fresh opportunities at a time when many campuses were stretched thin

What I’m Proud Of

  • We helped a winning student team travel to the U.S. to visit Virgin Galactic – a once-in-a-lifetime experience

  • The project kickstarted several early careers, matching students with internships and mentors they would otherwise never have met

  • I worked hands-on to equalize access to professional opportunities – a core value for me, especially as the daughter of migrants

  • We created win-win-win partnerships that genuinely placed people and their futures at the center

Sustainability Impact

The project focused on levelling the playing field (SDG10): not every student has access to career guidance, mentorship, or inspiring professional networks. LifeStart offered access, visibility, and belief in potential – especially for those navigating the system without privilege or connections.