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From our recording studio in Brooklyn, we make audio that celebrates human creativity, history and the spaces we live to learn about.

Join us on a short tour of the LSE campus told through the perspective of student and alumni founders.

Narrated by Henna Wang, Founder of Gesso, the tour features interviews and audio from:
- LJ Silverman, Founder of LSE Generate
- Lancelot Hoare, Founder of Tyred
- Haja Isatu Bah, Founder of Uman4Uman
- Ishaaq Shafi, Founder of Chat University
- Lauren O'Donnell, Founder of Oatsu
- Meenakshi Ajith, Community Officer at LSE Generate
- Dr. Paroma Bhattacharya, Head of Social Innovation at LSE Generate

To stay updated on all things Entrepreneurship at LSE, follow LSE Generate on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/lse-generate) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lsegenerate).

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London

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1. GenDen
---

Henna: LSE alumni have gone on to found all sorts of pioneering companies over the years, revolutionizing industries across the globe, from Allbirds to Franco Manca to Oak North. On this short 15 minute tour, we'll walk through the spaces where these ideas were born and explore how LSE continues to propel innovation.

Today, you'll walk with me, Henna Wang, an LSE alum and founder myself. Along the way, you'll discover the spaces where ideas were born, businesses launched, and lives transformed. 

At each stop, you'll hear from LSE entrepreneurs who are out there building the future every day.

Our journey begins at the GenDen, which is the hub of LSE Generate, LSE's incubator for student and alumni entrepreneurs. 

LJ: So, welcome to the GenDen, our home for budding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs from across the entire school.

Henna: That's LJ Silverman, the founder of LSE Generate. 

LJ: LSE Generate was conceived back in 2018, and since then, our goal has been to empower the 18, 000 active alumni and student founders here on campus and around the world within our 21 international chapters too. As you'll probably already know, LSE is a place that produces some of the world's greatest politicians and thought leaders. Now, what you might not know is that it's also the university that currently produces more entrepreneurs than any other in the UK and more female founders than any other school.

Henna: Since 2018, LSE founders have raised over 12 billion pounds in VC funding, and just last year, the Times ranked LSE as the most outstanding entrepreneurial university. 

LJ: Our co working space here is exceptionally inspiring and highly conducive to entrepreneurial thinking and ideation. And most of all, incredible mission driven community of business leaders and innovators who support each other. It's here, as well as online, where our founders can benefit from year round mentorship, skills development, networking, funding and free pizza, alumni founded, of course. 

Henna: As a member of the LSE community, if you have entrepreneurial aspirations, then this is the place to be. 

LJ: The great news is that if you're an LSE founder, you have exclusive rights to our offering forever. So congratulations on that. And for all those out there who want to be their own bosses and create a better tomorrow while being it, then this is the place to be. 

The generate team is always here for budding entrepreneurs, and we would love to meet you.

Henna: To stay connected and in the know of all things entrepreneurial happening on campus, be sure to follow the LSE Generate team on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Let's head out. With your back to the doors of the GenDen, you'll be facing the old building. Turn left and follow the building around the corner to the right, where you'll find the main entrance.

In 1920, King George V laid the foundation stone here. 

Above the door, you'll see the school's coat of arms, including its motto and beaver mascot. 

The motto, "rerum cognoscere causas", means, to know the causes of things. 

The beaver mascot was selected for its associations with foresight and industrious behavior. That sounds pretty entrepreneurial to me. 

Now walk back a bit towards the GenDen and look to the right, where you'll see the more modern entrance to the Centre Building.

3 Saint Clement's Lane \|||// 
1. GenDen
---

Henna: LSE alumni have gone on to found all sorts of pioneering companies over the years, revolutionizing industries across the globe, from Allbirds to Franco Manca to Oak North. On this short 15 minute tour, we'll walk through the spaces where these ideas were born and explore how LSE continues to propel innovation.

Today, you'll walk with me, Henna Wang, an LSE alum and founder myself. Along the way, you'll discover the spaces where ideas were born, businesses launched, and lives transformed. 

At each stop, you'll hear from LSE entrepreneurs who are out there building the future every day.

Our journey begins at the GenDen, which is the hub of LSE Generate, LSE's incubator for student and alumni entrepreneurs. 

LJ: So, welcome to the GenDen, our home for budding entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs from across the entire school.

Henna: That's LJ Silverman, the founder of LSE Generate. 

LJ: LSE Generate was conceived back in 2018, and since then, our goal has been to empower the 18, 000 active alumni and student founders here on campus and around the world within our 21 international chapters too. As you'll probably already know, LSE is a place that produces some of the world's greatest politicians and thought leaders. Now, what you might not know is that it's also the university that currently produces more entrepreneurs than any other in the UK and more female founders than any other school.

Henna: Since 2018, LSE founders have raised over 12 billion pounds in VC funding, and just last year, the Times ranked LSE as the most outstanding entrepreneurial university. 

LJ: Our co working space here is exceptionally inspiring and highly conducive to entrepreneurial thinking and ideation. And most of all, incredible mission driven community of business leaders and innovators who support each other. It's here, as well as online, where our founders can benefit from year round mentorship, skills development, networking, funding and free pizza, alumni founded, of course. 

Henna: As a member of the LSE community, if you have entrepreneurial aspirations, then this is the place to be. 

LJ: The great news is that if you're an LSE founder, you have exclusive rights to our offering forever. So congratulations on that. And for all those out there who want to be their own bosses and create a better tomorrow while being it, then this is the place to be. 

The generate team is always here for budding entrepreneurs, and we would love to meet you.

Henna: To stay connected and in the know of all things entrepreneurial happening on campus, be sure to follow the LSE Generate team on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Let's head out. With your back to the doors of the GenDen, you'll be facing the old building. Turn left and follow the building around the corner to the right, where you'll find the main entrance.

In 1920, King George V laid the foundation stone here. 

Above the door, you'll see the school's coat of arms, including its motto and beaver mascot. 

The motto, "rerum cognoscere causas", means, to know the causes of things. 

The beaver mascot was selected for its associations with foresight and industrious behavior. That sounds pretty entrepreneurial to me. 

Now walk back a bit towards the GenDen and look to the right, where you'll see the more modern entrance to the Centre Building.

LJ x Oaknorth.jpg

GenDen

Tour Item

English

1. GenDen.mp3

2. Centre Building
---

Henna: For Lancelot Hoare, a dual master's student and the founder of Tyred, The first fully digital local repair shop for cyclists and e- scooters, the Centre Building was instrumental in shaping his entrepreneurial journey.

Lance: I spent the majority of my time here studying on the 11th floor while also building the initial foundations of my business.

It's a great place where there's a casual sitting area with an actual workspace. But what really makes this building truly special is the 12th floor this area houses a balcony which looks out over all of Central London you're able to see the Thames all the way to Canary Wharf it is one of the most stunning views in London that I've ever seen and this is coming from someone who actually lives there.

I use that balcony nearly every single day of my academic and initial start up years it provides an amazing place for you to clear your head think and just put everything into perspective. I initially came up with a lot of my new ideas within my company from sitting on that balcony and I was able to deal with a lot of the major stresses of managing a company and studying for my degree.

Henna: Many great ideas were born right here, high above London, with a stunning view that offers the perfect backdrop for creative breakthroughs.

Just to the left of the center building, you'll see a staircase that leads down to a street called Clements Inn. 

Walk over to the top of the staircase.

 Houghton Street \|||// 2. Centre Building
---

Henna: For Lancelot Hoare, a dual master's student and the founder of Tyred, The first fully digital local repair shop for cyclists and e- scooters, the Centre Building was instrumental in shaping his entrepreneurial journey.

Lance: I spent the majority of my time here studying on the 11th floor while also building the initial foundations of my business.

It's a great place where there's a casual sitting area with an actual workspace. But what really makes this building truly special is the 12th floor this area houses a balcony which looks out over all of Central London you're able to see the Thames all the way to Canary Wharf it is one of the most stunning views in London that I've ever seen and this is coming from someone who actually lives there.

I use that balcony nearly every single day of my academic and initial start up years it provides an amazing place for you to clear your head think and just put everything into perspective. I initially came up with a lot of my new ideas within my company from sitting on that balcony and I was able to deal with a lot of the major stresses of managing a company and studying for my degree.

Henna: Many great ideas were born right here, high above London, with a stunning view that offers the perfect backdrop for creative breakthroughs.

Just to the left of the center building, you'll see a staircase that leads down to a street called Clements Inn. 

Walk over to the top of the staircase.

Centre Building 3.jpg

Centre Building

2. Centre Building.mp3

Centre Building 1.jpg

Centre Building 2.jpg

3. Pethick-Lawrence House
---

Henna: Down the staircase and a short walk on Clements Inn Path, you'll see the Pethick-Lawrence House, named after a notable British politician and suffragist. 

Frederick and his wife, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, were both prominent supporters of women's rights, aligning with LSE's mission of social progress and justice.

To tell us about it, here's Haja Isatu Bah, who is pursuing a master's degree in environment and development, and is also the founder of Uman4Uman, a social enterprise that produces and sells reusable menstrual pads whilst teaching girls and women about menstrual health.

Haja: One of the most special places for me on campus is the eighth floor of the Pethick-Lawrence building. 

The view is very beautiful and the office reminds me of home. It also has a microwave, a tea kettle, you know, everything you need to take breaks and all of that.

And I think my best memories in this office is just coming to campus during the winter when everything is dark and cold and just knowing that I have a place I can sit with light. I have a place I can be productive. 

This is where I go to calm myself down with a cup of tea or just get my work done. 

Henna: For many students, finding that perfect corner on campus can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and finding clarity. 

Spaces like this are where ideas are nurtured and friendships blossom, fueling both personal and professional growth.

Now we're headed to the library. Turn around and walk away from the staircase until you see a set of stairs and ramp on the right side of the plaza across from the center building. 

Follow the stairs or ramp up and stop when you reach the penguin statue on your left. You can't miss it.

 Houghton Street \|||// 3. Pethick-Lawrence House
---

Henna: Down the staircase and a short walk on Clements Inn Path, you'll see the Pethick-Lawrence House, named after a notable British politician and suffragist. 

Frederick and his wife, Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, were both prominent supporters of women's rights, aligning with LSE's mission of social progress and justice.

To tell us about it, here's Haja Isatu Bah, who is pursuing a master's degree in environment and development, and is also the founder of Uman4Uman, a social enterprise that produces and sells reusable menstrual pads whilst teaching girls and women about menstrual health.

Haja: One of the most special places for me on campus is the eighth floor of the Pethick-Lawrence building. 

The view is very beautiful and the office reminds me of home. It also has a microwave, a tea kettle, you know, everything you need to take breaks and all of that.

And I think my best memories in this office is just coming to campus during the winter when everything is dark and cold and just knowing that I have a place I can sit with light. I have a place I can be productive. 

This is where I go to calm myself down with a cup of tea or just get my work done. 

Henna: For many students, finding that perfect corner on campus can be the difference between feeling overwhelmed and finding clarity. 

Spaces like this are where ideas are nurtured and friendships blossom, fueling both personal and professional growth.

Now we're headed to the library. Turn around and walk away from the staircase until you see a set of stairs and ramp on the right side of the plaza across from the center building. 

Follow the stairs or ramp up and stop when you reach the penguin statue on your left. You can't miss it.

PEL 1.jpg

Pethick-Lawrence House

3. Pethick-Lawrence House.mp3

4. The Library
---

Henna: The LSE library has shaped the journeys of countless students. For Ishaaq Shafi, founder of Chat University, which is an AI assistant trained on university data to help students make their best decisions around choosing a university. He came up with this business idea while working a part time job in student recruitment as a student at LSE.

Ishaaq: When I was at LSE, we had a group chat for my closest friends called Third Floor Lib. The third floor of the library was our hangout spot. We'd sit together, work together, break for lunch together, even get told off for talking too loud together. In my first year, you could always go for a walk around the library and find a friend sitting on the sofas on the fourth floor.

When you needed to stretch your legs, a wander down the central spiral staircase gave you a sense of purpose. You felt like someone powerful, stepping away from the desk to gaze over the rest of your peers, hard at work all around you. I started SIAS technologies in the library. I've celebrated great wins, and I powered through deep lows in the library.

Lauren O'Donnell, the founder of Oatsu, a plant based breakfast business that offers its products at retailers like Holland &amp; Barrett, also found the library to be an important space for her entrepreneurial journey.

Lauren: My favourite places at LSE were Rosebery Hall and the library, not only because I spent the most time in these two places, but also because these were where I gained my first experience as an entrepreneur. When I took part in a student fundraising competition run by RBS.

I used the kitchen in Rosebery halls and a meeting room in the library to prepare breakfast plates and fruit salad bowls, which me and my teammate went and sold in RBS offices all across London. 

Taking part in that competition gave me my first taste of creating value out of the resources available to me and selling to cold audiences, which are skills that I still use today as a founder of an overnight oat breakfast brand, Oatsu. 

Henna: Now, we'll head over to the Old Curiosity Shop, 

Facing the door of the library, turn left and walk across the street, and continue walking between the pub and the Marshall Building for about 50 meters.

10 Portugal Street \|||// 4. The Library
---

Henna: The LSE library has shaped the journeys of countless students. For Ishaaq Shafi, founder of Chat University, which is an AI assistant trained on university data to help students make their best decisions around choosing a university. He came up with this business idea while working a part time job in student recruitment as a student at LSE.

Ishaaq: When I was at LSE, we had a group chat for my closest friends called Third Floor Lib. The third floor of the library was our hangout spot. We'd sit together, work together, break for lunch together, even get told off for talking too loud together. In my first year, you could always go for a walk around the library and find a friend sitting on the sofas on the fourth floor.

When you needed to stretch your legs, a wander down the central spiral staircase gave you a sense of purpose. You felt like someone powerful, stepping away from the desk to gaze over the rest of your peers, hard at work all around you. I started SIAS technologies in the library. I've celebrated great wins, and I powered through deep lows in the library.

Lauren O'Donnell, the founder of Oatsu, a plant based breakfast business that offers its products at retailers like Holland &amp; Barrett, also found the library to be an important space for her entrepreneurial journey.

Lauren: My favourite places at LSE were Rosebery Hall and the library, not only because I spent the most time in these two places, but also because these were where I gained my first experience as an entrepreneur. When I took part in a student fundraising competition run by RBS.

I used the kitchen in Rosebery halls and a meeting room in the library to prepare breakfast plates and fruit salad bowls, which me and my teammate went and sold in RBS offices all across London. 

Taking part in that competition gave me my first taste of creating value out of the resources available to me and selling to cold audiences, which are skills that I still use today as a founder of an overnight oat breakfast brand, Oatsu. 

Henna: Now, we'll head over to the Old Curiosity Shop, 

Facing the door of the library, turn left and walk across the street, and continue walking between the pub and the Marshall Building for about 50 meters.

Library 5.jpg

The Library

4. The Library.mp3

Library 3.jpg

Library 2.jpg

Library 1.jpg

5. The Old Curiosity Shop
---

Henna: Up ahead is the Old Curiosity Shop. Here's Meenakshi Ajith, the Community Officer at LSE Generate.

Meenakshi: The Old Curiosity Shop, built in 1567, stands out on LSE's modern campus as the oldest surviving building in the area. 

It not only survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, but also the Blitz during World War II. It's immortalized by Charles Dickens famous novel, The Old Curiosity Shop, and is listed as a Grade II heritage building.

LSE acquired the building in 2018 and has restored it since with the city of Westminster. This autumn LSE will hold a Dragon's Den style competition to assess business case propositions from student entrepreneurs that reimagine how the shop could be used. The winning entry will be granted a lease and provided with advice and assistance to run the Old Curiosity Shop as a successful enterprise. 

Henna: LSE hass a long tradition of combining the old with the new, of respecting history while pushing for progress. This upcoming competition is the perfect embodiment of that, offering students the chance to turn an iconic space into something entirely their own.

Facing the old curiosity shop, turn around and head down Sheffield Street until you arrive at a huge sculpture of a globe.

13-14 Portsmouth Street \|||// 5. The Old Curiosity Shop
---

Henna: Up ahead is the Old Curiosity Shop. Here's Meenakshi Ajith, the Community Officer at LSE Generate.

Meenakshi: The Old Curiosity Shop, built in 1567, stands out on LSE's modern campus as the oldest surviving building in the area. 

It not only survived the Great Fire of London in 1666, but also the Blitz during World War II. It's immortalized by Charles Dickens famous novel, The Old Curiosity Shop, and is listed as a Grade II heritage building.

LSE acquired the building in 2018 and has restored it since with the city of Westminster. This autumn LSE will hold a Dragon's Den style competition to assess business case propositions from student entrepreneurs that reimagine how the shop could be used. The winning entry will be granted a lease and provided with advice and assistance to run the Old Curiosity Shop as a successful enterprise. 

Henna: LSE hass a long tradition of combining the old with the new, of respecting history while pushing for progress. This upcoming competition is the perfect embodiment of that, offering students the chance to turn an iconic space into something entirely their own.

Facing the old curiosity shop, turn around and head down Sheffield Street until you arrive at a huge sculpture of a globe.

Old_Curiosity_Shop_5079.jpg

Old Curiosity Shop

5. The Old Curiosity Shop.mp3

6. The World Turned Upside Down
---

Henna: As we conclude our tour, we arrive at the symbol of LSE's global outlook, Dr. Paroma Bhattacharya, the head of social innovation at LSE Generate, shares how this artwork resonates with the founder spirit of seeing the world differently.

Dr. Paroma: The World Turned Upside Down is a large political globe with nation states and borders outlined, but with the simple and revolutionary twist of being inverted. This interesting sculpture has been designed by the Turner Prize winning artist Mark Wallinger and was unveiled on the LSE website. the student center in 2019.

And interestingly, during that time, the world indeed had been turned upside down because of the pandemic.

This sculpture represents the fact that LSE is a place where people with different perspectives engage in respectful debate about major issues around the world and reflects LSE's commitment to tackling the biggest global challenges through research and teaching, which often means seeing the world from different and unfamiliar points of view.

Another interesting fact about the sculpture is given the fact that it's inverted, it really highlights the vastness of oceans, which pushes us to think critically about climate change and the need for all of us to work together towards climate action. 

Henna: The world may feel turned upside down. But here at LSE, we see this as an opportunity to build something new. 

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply inspired by the stories today, remember this. LSE is a place where bold ideas flourish. Your journey could be next. 

Thank you for joining us on this tour today through the entrepreneurial heart of LSE. We've visited spaces where ideas were born, and we've heard from those who turned dreams into reality. 

This tour was written and produced by my co founder Michael Reynolds at Gesso. 

Special thanks to Mallika Kumar and Sian Kincaide from the LSE Generate team for making it all happen.

1 Sheffield Street \|||// 6. The World Turned Upside Down
---

Henna: As we conclude our tour, we arrive at the symbol of LSE's global outlook, Dr. Paroma Bhattacharya, the head of social innovation at LSE Generate, shares how this artwork resonates with the founder spirit of seeing the world differently.

Dr. Paroma: The World Turned Upside Down is a large political globe with nation states and borders outlined, but with the simple and revolutionary twist of being inverted. This interesting sculpture has been designed by the Turner Prize winning artist Mark Wallinger and was unveiled on the LSE website. the student center in 2019.

And interestingly, during that time, the world indeed had been turned upside down because of the pandemic.

This sculpture represents the fact that LSE is a place where people with different perspectives engage in respectful debate about major issues around the world and reflects LSE's commitment to tackling the biggest global challenges through research and teaching, which often means seeing the world from different and unfamiliar points of view.

Another interesting fact about the sculpture is given the fact that it's inverted, it really highlights the vastness of oceans, which pushes us to think critically about climate change and the need for all of us to work together towards climate action. 

Henna: The world may feel turned upside down. But here at LSE, we see this as an opportunity to build something new. 

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply inspired by the stories today, remember this. LSE is a place where bold ideas flourish. Your journey could be next. 

Thank you for joining us on this tour today through the entrepreneurial heart of LSE. We've visited spaces where ideas were born, and we've heard from those who turned dreams into reality. 

This tour was written and produced by my co founder Michael Reynolds at Gesso. 

Special thanks to Mallika Kumar and Sian Kincaide from the LSE Generate team for making it all happen.

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