The interaction of higher education with other stakeholder groups (industry, communities and regulatory bodies) in scaling up the activities of informal enterprises has been largely ignored in certain sub-sectors. Considering the proximity and proclivity among students who engage in part-time work in the underexplored sectors of hairstylists (barbers and women's hairdressers) and carwash businesses, this study interrogates why, despite their concentration around most Nigerian university communities, they remain disconnected and unable to scale up. Through consideration of the Triple Helix model and the entrepreneurial venture development process the study highlights avenues for universities to scale up such operations as part of their third mission. The authors provide theoretical and practical implications for community and enterprise development in emerging African economies, especially that of Nigeria.