The Cube, the University's business creation and growth service, has organised a series of events to support students and graduates to become budding entrepreneurs and to start up their own businesses.
If you're interested in attending a session, then please book your place via the above link.
Monday 19 April (12:00-13:00) | The difference between different business entities
Every business - no matter how big or small - must have a legal structure, with the bulk choosing to be either a sole trader or a limited company. An estimated 3.4 million operate as sole traders, with 1.9 million operating as limited companies - so what is the difference between the two? And which could be the best fit for your business? In this session Daniel our expert adviser from Bishop Fleming Accountants, will kick off with some definitions and talk through which would work best for your business.
Tuesday 20 April (13:00-14:30) | Beating Imposter Syndrome
Do you question your skills and the abilities you bring to your projects and activities? Maybe you worry that an interviewer will doubt your ability to do the job you want so badly? Imposter Syndrome can knock your confidence and bring your ambition grinding to a halt. Join Siobhán Lavelle, Managing Director of Cornelle Communications, to hear how common this really is, and what you can do to turn this fear into an advantage in the workplace.
Wednesday 21 April (10:30-11:30) | Plymouth Patent Library - An introduction to intellectual property for students and start-ups
Get information on all aspects of intellectual property (IP), including patents, copyright, trademarks and designs. Learn how to exploit your intellectual property.
Wednesday 21 April, Wednesday 5 May, Wednesday 19 May (14:00-15:00) | Top tips for budding entrepreneurs
This is an opportunity for students and graduates to drop in and join like-minded entrepreneurs, from various stages of business - from having a new idea to fully fledged businesses. The session is an open forum, so you can ask questions or just listen to others chat about many topics such as sales and marketing, costing and pricing, pitching and selling, funding and investors… and much, much more. Keep on top of the latest business information and join in. There will be an expert Business Adviser present at the session to answer any questions.
Thursday 22 April, Thursday 20 May (10:00-12:00) | Ashfords Solicitors - Business legalities 1:1 appointments
An opportunity to access the professional support of a representative of Ashfords LLP for advice and guidance on business start-up and development legalities. Bookable half hour appointments are available.
Tuesday 27 April, Tuesday 25 May (09:30-12:30) | TS Partners Ltd Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants - Business advice 1:1 appointments
TS Partners Ltd offer 1:1 advice and guidance to help you start or develop a business, become self-employed or freelance. They can talk you through the options and help you to plan your business’s future. Bookable one hour appointments are available.
Tuesday 27 April (12:00-13:00) | The power of branding and marketing for business and freelancers
This session will provide you with information and useful hints and tips for branding and marketing, looking at the following areas: the power of branding; fundamentals of marketing; is traditional marketing dead? and keeping your marketing strategy lean.
Wednesday 28 April (10:00-11:00) | Ashfords LLP - The legalities of starting a business
This informative session for students and graduates will cover the basic legal information you need to know before starting a business, freelancing or becoming self-employed.
Wednesday 28 April (13:00-14:30) | Costing and pricing a product or service
An insight into some of the economic and strategic challenges facing all small businesses and proposes informed, thought-provoking ideas to stimulate strategic actions.
Thursday 29 April, Thursday 27 May (09:30-12:30) | TS Partners Ltd Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants - Financial management 1:1 appointments
TS Partners Ltd offer 1:1 advice and guidance on business financial management and planning. Covering financial record keeping, accountancy, tax, R&D tax credits and funding options. Bookable one hour appointments are available,
Tuesday 4 May (12:00-13:00) | An introduction to pitch building
You know that your start-up's vision, mission and plan for the future is strong but why don't people just get it? Join Tanu Chellam as she shares tips on how to build pitch decks that showcase your start-up's potential in a meaningful way. With 15 years of entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship experience globally, Tanu has had to find ways to get senior executives and venture capitalists invested in business ideas many times in her career. Bring questions for an interactive discussion.
Tuesday 4 May (14:00-16:45) | Marketing and branding 1:1s
Join Laura Greenland, an experienced Marketing and Branding Consultant, for 45 minutes of 1:1 support. This session is perfect if you're tackling the branding or marketing strategy for your start-up business or if you're considering embarking on a freelance career in the creative industries. Come armed with plenty of questions and leave inspired for your next steps.
Thursday 6 May (14:00-15:00) | What sources of funding are available to start-up and develop your business?
One of the most common questions asked by entrepreneurs and small business owners is "What sources of funding are available for me?" This has never been more important. This session will cover the basics in terms of various sources of funding and how you can decide which are best for you. This will include some tips for securing funding in the current climate and an opportunity for you to ask questions.
Monday 10 May (12:00-13:30) | Negotiation skills training
You'll be practising negotiation but you'll also be observing others negotiate, providing you an opportunity to explore why negotiators behave in the way they do and delve into your own behaviours as they appear to others.
Tuesday 11 May (14:00-16:00) | Plymouth Patent Library 1:1s
Information on all aspects of Intellectual Property (IP), including patents, copyright, trademarks and designs, helping local businesses and individuals to understand and exploit their IP and free assisted patent, trademark and design searches for start-ups and small businesses.
Wednesday 12 May (13:00-14:30) | Run a monster business, not a business monster
This webinar will give students and graduates insight into some of the economic and strategic challenges facing all small businesses and proposes informed, thought-provoking ideas to stimulate strategic actions.
Who’s it for? If you are struggling to bring a sense of focus on how to grow your business, this webinar will help you establish a direction for your business to take, it will help you sharpen your focus on the actions needed to get there!
What will I get out of it? How to identify and prioritise ‘projects’ that impact your business growth and profitability.
Wednesday 19 May (10:30-11:30) | Plymouth Patent Library - Intellectual property for software developers
Given the value of the market and the potential for piracy, it is essential that those involved in the industry have some knowledge of how they can protect their work. We will introduce the basics of intellectual property in relation to software and gaming and to the use of Opensource alternatives.
Wednesday 26 May (13:00-14:30) | Sales and marketing explained
The marketing and sales function of any business has two main aims: to obtain and to retain customers. In this session we will look at what is required in the marketing and sales function of your business. We will look at the functions and skills for each function.
