Start-ups given chance to learn from success stories

Opportunity Knocks, co-hosted by NatWest, Entrepreneurial Spark, KPMG and Leeds City Council is aimed at people involved in or interested in supporting Yorkshire’s start-up, early stage and SME business sector.

Taking place at Leeds Town Hall on Thursday, July 14, the showcase will include speeches from Cloud Nine’s Chairman Robert Powls and James Brown of Beer52, as well as a host of other successful entrepreneurs who will all pass on their advice and offer insight into what they have learned whilst turning their concept into a reality.

Delegates will hear from inspirational speakers, see a live pitching competition, hear from a panel of experts and have the opportunity to attend a range of case study led seminars focusing on topics such as crowdfunding, pitching, intellectual property and growth finance.

Yorkshire born and bred, Robert Powls, the original founder of GHD hails from Ilkley, which is now also home to his more recent business empire, Cloud Nine. Whilst his career has taken him around the world, the fundamentals of Robert’s talent for all things hair truly makes for an interesting and intriguing British success story, which to this day, has kept hair straighteners at the top of every girls and stylists wish list.

James, 26, started Beer52 after an inspired craft beer road trip from Edinburgh to Faro on the back of his dad’s Harley. Since launching in 2013, Beer52 has grown to £3.5m in annual sales and is one of the UK’s fastest growing start-ups. Ian Beaumont, KPMG’s head of Enterprise in Yorkshire, said: “Whilst funding can be vital to start-ups looking to grow, nothing can replace the advice, access and invaluable insight from a successful entrepreneur who has built their own business.”