STUDENT ENTERPRISE WEEK
The first ever Student Enterprise Week 2023 was launched by Leeds Entrepreneurs Society, sponsored and supported by the University of Leeds SPARK, Leeds University Union (LUU) and the Centre for Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (CEES) was a great success. This action-packed week was filled with talks, informative workshops, and a showcase of student businesses that left participants motivated, inspired, and equipped with valuable knowledge to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.
The week kicked off on Day 1 with an inspirational talk by Marcus Orlovsky, serial entrepreneur and CEO of educational social enterprise, Bryanston Square. Marcus shared his insights on starting where you are, the power of creative thinking, and the importance of resilience. The 20 students that attended found the talk very motivational.
Next, 15 students attended a highly informative session with Bec Evans, Founder of Prolifiko, based on her book 'Have a Happy Hustle.' Bec walked students through the processes of setting up successful ventures and answered their questions about their own ideas. In just one hour, students gained a wealth of knowledge, setting the tone for a week of empowerment.
Day 2 brought even more speakers to the stage. Jeremy Meadowcroft, Business Lending Manager at Finance for Enterprise, engaged an audience of 25 attendees, sharing expert tips on different ways of raising finance. His expertise left students armed with valuable insights to secure funding for their ventures. Sam Morgan, the CEO of Paria.cc cycle wear, delivered another talk to an audience of 15 students. His entrepreneurial journey since graduating from the University of Leeds served as an inspiring example for current students.
Alongside these thought-provoking talks, Rego Pal, MSc Mechanical Engineering and founder of Speak Up University, delivered a series of Public Speaking workshops during the week, attracting an engaged audience of students. Rego equipped students with the tools to grow in confidence and excel in job interviews through speech techniques. The Precinct area outside LUU hosted several stalls showcasing a diverse range of student businesses. Attendees had the opportunity to explore a wide array of entrepreneurial ventures, from jewellery and crafts to sustainable straws, clothing, and more.
Day 3 continued the momentum with a talk by tech expert David Turner, Director of Engineering at White Label Loyalty. 15 attendees learned from David's experiences working in the tech industry, developing websites, and launching his own company.
Day 4 featured Brian Baillie, Student Enterprise and Incubation Manager from SPARK, who conducted a comprehensive workshop entitled "How to Start Your Business A-Z." Brian's insights were appreciated by students, as he shared do's and don'ts based on his experience working with multiple student businesses that have launched through the University of Leeds SPARK program. Attendees left with practical knowledge to kickstart their entrepreneurial journeys.
The climax of the week was the Gryphons' Den pitch competition sponsored by LUU, which drew 11 contestants. The pitches encompassed a wide range of industries, including AI chatbot language models, advanced fashion apps, medtech systems, sustainable farming, and robotics. The judges had the challenging task of selecting just three winners from the pool of ideas. The contestants had an incredible opportunity to showcase their innovative ventures, receiving constructive feedback.
Throughout the week, students had the chance to connect and network with like-minded individuals. The networking sessions brought together 20 participants, fostering collaboration and future partnerships.
Overall the Student Enterprise Week 2023 was a great success. Ultimately it was the presence, energy, and determination of all the student participants which truly made this event an unforgettable experience. We are immensely proud of each participant, speaker, and attendee for embracing the spirit of entrepreneurship and showcasing the remarkable potential of our student community.
