In line with the Staffordshire Graduate Programme, Staffordshire University is offering as many non-curricular enterprise activities to students as possible. As part of this campaign it has arranged for the Start-Up Britain Tour Bus, a Government funded enterprise organisation, to visit our Stoke campus on Wednesday 31st October. It would be a fantastic opportunity for all students to gain an insight into the opportunities enterprise brings, speak to entrepreneurs, see the interactive exhibition and join in the workshops for a chance to win some great prizes.
The Start Up Britain Bus Tour connects school, college and university students, entrepreneurs, mentors, business experts and peers together in one place to inspire and encourage you to take that step to realising your dreams and running your own successful enterprise. The Bus tour is in Staffordshire for one day only – Keele Science Park at 9am–12pm and Staffordshire University Students' Union's LRV 2pm-5pm
Business experts including, AXA Insurance, Dell and Paypal, are all ready to give you practical business advice. There's even the chance for you to walk away with giveaways and win some amazing prizes including a Dell laptop! Entry is FREE and you can just turn up, however if you register your attendance at http://startuptour-staffordshire.eventbrite.co.uk/ you will receive further details about the tour and exhibitors at both events. StartUp Britain's co-founder Raj Dey will be at both events for you to talk to and gain a valuable insight into starting your own business from a highly successful and inspirational entrepreneur.
There will be lots of businesses, support organisations and entrepreneurs for you to talk to and learn how to take that initial first step to becoming your own boss. You will also meet other like-minded people who are looking to set up their own business, so it's a real opportunity for you to network and make some great contacts!
Workshop Agenda:
2:00pm – 2:30pm Welcome and talk by local entrepreneur
2:30pm – 3:30pm Innovation Workshop – join our young entrepreneurs who will help you think about design and marketing ideas for new products and win £100 Amazon Vouchers (sign up at reception)
3:30 – 4:00pm Social Enterprise – a workshop by Adam Bradford from UnLtd to introduce social enterprise and how to apply for funding (sign up at reception)
4:00 – 4:30pm "Local Business for local people" with Sandra Brookes from Bluebell and Ben Dyer from Enterprise Days (sign up at reception)
4:30pm – 5:00pm Understanding Crowd Funding – accessing funds through the power of the internet (sign up at reception)
As well as the fascinating workshops and talks outlined above there will be a fully interactive exhibition with young entrepreneurs showcasing their businesses, where you can get hands on with the tools of their trade. Exhibitors include the following companies who started up with the Staffordshire University Graduate Start-Up Scheme:
Humanoid Productions – a very successful videography company of 4 directors who all graduated in 2011 and already have two offices in Media City and Staffordshire Technology Park (http://www.humanoidproductions.com/ )
Pez and Pencil – Thomas Perry is a 2012 graphic design graduate who creates bespoke illustrations for business logos and well a specialist pieces for sale online.
Denise Malony Ceramics – Denise is a recent graduate who makes beautifully designed tableware for the higher end ceramic market.
How Splendid - Francis Wright has a specialised and kitted out mobile trailer which she takes around the country selling handmade work across many disciplines.
RockabellaGrace - Samantha Mills had been thinking about this business her whole life and finally took the plunge in 2010 after graduation. RockabellaGrace is an online virtual boutique selling bespoke keepsakes, fashion jewellery & accessories (http://www.rockabellagrace.com/ )
Ellie & Eve Ltd - Amy Lockley is a 2012 graduate whose company sells beautiful high end human hair extensions at high street prices.
GDS World - Gagan Singh is a 2D/3D artist with a first class honours in Games Concept Design from Staffordshire University. He founded a group on Deviantart art called Concept World (http://conceptworld.deviantart.com ) which has reached over 3000 members. His next venture was ‘Concepteez' a free, bi-monthly community magazine aimed at younger artists who aspire to make it into the gaming industry by keeping them up to date with the industry and giving them a platform to feature their work on.
BOSS Cakes – Stephanie Harrison is a recent graduate from Keele University who makes beautiful and delicious cupcake displays for table decorations – come and see/taste her amazing creations.