Futures Entrepreneurship Event Hot Box 500 - students pitching business idea

Small business owners can access expert advice on how to enhance and grow their enterprises during a one-day event from the University of Plymouth.

The Festival of Entrepreneurial Solutions – coordinated by the Futures Entrepreneurship Centre – will see academics from the University sharing knowledge on different aspects of business and research.

It will include sessions on how companies can improve their marketing and productivity, unlock new finance options and access new markets, particularly China.

The event will take place on Thursday 25 May and, as well as small businesses, it will also be open to academics, students, investors, social enterprises and community groups.

Dr Marta Hawkins, Director of the Futures Entrepreneurship Centre, said:

“We believe responsible entrepreneurship is the future of entrepreneurship. This event will aim to provide the knowledge so businesses can apply the best possible solutions to their everyday operations. Harnessing the expertise of academics at the University is a productive way to provide small businesses with the tools they need to succeed.”

The day – staged in The Loft, Vauxhall Quay – will cover potential changes in legislation and include networking opportunities, and the academics speaking as part of the event will be:

  • Professor Salima Paul, Professor of Credit Management – Trade credit management and mitigation of late payment;
  • Professor Peijie Wang, Professor of Finance – Reaching the Chinese market;
  • Dr Sofia Daskou, Lecturer in Marketing – Creating value through marketing;
  • Dr Panagiotis Tziogkidis, Lecturer in Economics – Applications of efficiency and productivity analysis.

The event is being staged as part of the Futures centre’s inaugural International Week, which runs from May 22-26 and aims to build new collaborations across the South West and beyond.

It will feature guests from Germany, Hungary, Mexico, Poland, South Korea and Sri Lanka, all on the theme of responsible entrepreneurship and sustainable development.

There will also be a free CPD Workshop on Creative and Emotive Branding on Friday 26 May, where companies will be able to learn how to enhance their business identity to make it stand out from the crowd and attract customers.

Visit the University’s website for more information about the Festival of Entrepreneurial Solutions