Sponsored by
Helping bright ideas become business reality
YORKSHIRE people who want to become their own boss have the chance to receive advice and mentoring during Global Entrepreneurship Week, which starts on November 16.
It includes a series of events aimed at encouraging budding entrepreneurs to turn their bright ideas into businesses.
Supporters of Global Entrepreneurship Week include the Yorkshire Forward-backed Graduate Entrepreneurship Project, which is providing the region's students and graduates with opportunities to gain mentoring, advice and financial support.
Kelly Smith, from the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project, said: "Global Entrepreneurship Week sets out to prove that even in times of economic downturn, good ideas and enthusiasm can still enable a business project to flourish.
"We are really pleased that many of the higher-education institutions that we support across Yorkshire and the Humber are making the most of this week by staging their own events, which provide even more opportunities for young people to network with other enterprising students and graduates."
Events taking place in the region include business plan competitions, and an opportunity to meet Richard Adams, the founder of the Fair Trade movement, and a range of business advice workshops.
The events include an Enterprise Showcase, which is
being held at the University of Huddersfield, on Friday, November 20.
Around 20 students and recent graduates will be showing off their business ideas.
Jacquie Asquith, Graduate Start-Up Co-ordinator at the University of Huddersfield, said: "The event is open to students, graduates, staff and invited members of the community to come along and be inspired.
"It's a great opportunity to see new up-and-coming companies and really typifies what Global Entrepreneurship Week – and the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project – are all about."
Morgan Dias is an OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner) quality assured legal firm that offers advice and representation services on immigration, nationality and asylum law.
The company was formed by University of Sheffield graduate Bettina Yarde in 2007. Through the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project-funded Enterprise Zone at the University of Sheffield, Ms Yarde has been able to receive support and advice.
Rob Meckin, a graduate of the University of Sheffield, now runs his own business called Sweet Theatre. He was inspired to set up this traditional sweet-making business while travelling.
He has turned the production process into a one-man stage show. He is targeting corporate clients by offering to make sweets including company logos at corporate events and trade shows.
Mr Meckin said: "Support from other people with business experience is vital in the early days of setting up alone.
"I approached the University of Sheffield Enterprise Zone for advice and ended up applying for proof of concept funding – provided through the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project. This helped me pay for market research and got my feet off the ground."
Joe Pearce, a philosophy graduate who studied at the University of York, established Waverun to provide an instant messaging service that would enable customers to find out about offers on food, drinks and entertainment
Having established the business in York, he is expanding into Leeds.
He praised the advice and support provided by the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project.
He said: "Staff at the university have been amazingly supportive. We went to them with a basic idea and they helped us shape it into a feasible business plan.
"Through them, we also successfully applied for a proof of concept grant of 1,000, which enabled us to set up a website and produce publicity material such as flyers and posters to help generate awareness of the service.
"We also took part in various business competitions under their guidance, through which we gained further experience and advice."
Further information about the Global Entrepreneurship Week can be found at www.gew.org.uk
Boxing clever with project help
Businesses that have benefited from the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project include Elemental Fitness which offers one-to-one personal training and kickboxing courses for schools and community groups.
It was set up in 2008 when David Kenyon was granted 450 through the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project Proof of Concept fund in order to get his business off the ground.
He also won 1,000 as first prize in the 2008 Leeds Trinity University College business start-up competition, after attending a series of workshops funded by the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project. Clients range from professionals to community groups. Mr Kenyon plans to buy and convert his own warehouse for Elemental Fitness within the next two years.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
