The Cube 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 using the links below or via myCareer and search for The Cube Events.
Recent feedback on the support includes: “What The Cube is doing is phenomenal. The deep insights that speakers bring to the webinars really help. The team that is selecting the speakers is doing a great job. Before Plymouth, I had spent 3–4 years in the entrepreneurship space and finding this type of realistic and practical insight is tough. I learned a great deal about entrepreneurship, thanks to The Cube.”
The Cube will be holding regular student and graduate drop-in sessions in the Careers and Employability Hub, Charles Seale-Hayne Library - why not drop in and see what support we can offer.
- Tuesdays 11:00–14:00
- Wednesdays 14:00–17:00
- Thursdays 11:00–14:00
Wednesday 18 May (16:00–17:00) | Marketing and branding your business | Virtual
During this interactive workshop, we will dig into the psychology and foundations of good branding. We'll also tackle the key components of a successful marketing and communications strategy. If you're considering starting a business of your own or have ambitions to move into the creative industries as a freelancer, this workshop will provide you with crucial knowledge and a deeper understanding of marketing and brand strategy.
Wednesday 18
May (16:00–18:00) | Finding product market fit (PMF)/finding a niche | Virtual
You’ve
built/designed your product, but how do you know that there’s a market for
this? It’s hard to comprehend which market or segment you should target when
you’re first starting out. In this session we’ll compare market/segment/niche
customers, and how to know when you’ve found the elusive product market fit.
Thursday 19 May (10:00–12:00) | Ashfords Solicitors – Business legalities 1:1 appointments | Virtual
A virtual
opportunity to access the professional support of a representative of Ashfords
LLP for advice and guidance on business start-up and development legalities.
Monday 23
May (16:00–17:00) | Business Sales training programme – Effective sales meeting
preparation | Virtual
A virtual
session on preparing for a sales meeting which is as important as the meeting
itself. In this module we will examine the correct methods for preparing for a
new sales appointment. You will learn what key resources, knowledge and
attitudes that you need to prepare in order to have a successful new sales
appointment.
Tuesday 24
May (11:00–12:00) | An introduction to the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS)/Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) | Virtual
If you are
seeking equity investment in the UK from family and friends, angel investors, crowdfunding or many funds then you’ll want to get your SEIS/EIS ducks in a row
early. These efficient tax schemes are vital for attracting investors and
in this session we’ll walk through what the schemes are and why you should care
and how to ensure that your business is fully prepared.
Tuesday 24
May (12:00–13:00) | Plymouth Patent Library – Intellectual property for software developers |
Student Hub Room 3, Charles Seale-Hayne Library
Looking at how
those in the industry can protect their work. Also looking at the alternatives
and the possibilities of open collaboration. We will introduce the basics of intellectual property in relation to software and gaming and to the use of
Opensource alternatives.
Wednesday 25
May (14:00–15:45) |
Social enterprise 1:1 appointments | Virtual
Providing
detailed knowledge/experience in a range of topics around social economy.
Thursday
26 May (09:30–12:30) | TS Partners Ltd, Chartered Tax Advisers and
Accountants – Financial planning and business advice 1:1 appointments | Room
206, Marine Building
1:1 advice and guidance to help you start or develop a business, become self-employed or freelance. Also advice on financial management and planning.
Thursday 26 May (11:00–12:00) | Equity
options (Angel vs PE vs Crowdfunding) | Virtual
There are a number of options for deciding what equity based funding solution is appropriate for your business. We will discuss options from friends and family rounds through to venture capital, and explore the implications of each type of funding. We will also review the process by which your business will take on investment, including reviewing the key prerequisites you’ll need to have in place before you start this journey.
Thursday 26 May (12:00–13:00) | Costing and
pricing a product or service | Student Hub Room 3, Charles Seale-Hayne Library
This session
will give you some quick tips and a pricing strategy that will enable you to
build ‘price confidence’ when quoting for work. Setting prices is a complicated
process but understanding the basic principles will enable you to win work at
the ‘right price’. Do you dare price yourself above your competition? What
about offering extras to increase your value proposition? Just a few of the
approaches explored.
Thursday 26 May (12.30–13:30) | Confused about
business taxation? | Room A102, Portland Square Building
Many business
owners are unsure about remuneration, corporation tax, benefits, personal tax
etc. This session will demystify these areas and give you the opportunity to
ask any questions you may have.
Monday 30 May (12:00–13:00) | What sources of
funding are available to start up and develop your business? | Student Hub Room
3, Charles Seale-Hayne Library
One of the most
common questions asked by entrepreneurs and small business owners – "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.
Tuesday
31 May (09:30–12:30) | TS Partners Ltd, Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants – Financial planning and business advice 1:1 appointments | Virtual
1:1 advice and guidance to help you start or develop a business, become self-employed or freelance. Also advice on financial management and planning.
Tuesday 7 June (12:00–13:00) | How video can be used for your
personal brand or businesses | Virtual
Covering the many ways in which videos can be used within business, for your personal brand or to bring to your job role. We will also look at different ways in which we can monetise video without being solely reliant upon huge viewing figures. We will also cover some presentation techniques that may be used within your video and how to maximise your use of video.
Tuesday 7 June (14:00–16:00) | Richard Carpenter, Enterprise Assist – Business start-up and growth 1:1 appointments | Virtual
Join Richard Carpenter, an experienced business consultant for 30 minutes of 1:1 support. Appointments are for those looking to start-up, grow and accelerate a business and helps you explore your businesses potential.
Tuesday 7 June (14:00–16:45) | Marketing and branding 1:1s | Virtual
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.
Wednesday 8 June (10:30–11:30) | The legalities of starting a business | Student Hub Room 3, Charles Seale-Hayne Library
This session will cover: types of business; setting up a business; sole traders/freelance – what to consider and procedure; limited companies – what to consider and procedure; regulatory requirements.
Monday 13 June (14:00–16:45) | Brent Treloar – Business advice
and guidance 1:1 appointments | Virtual
Brent draws on his unique practical experience to help you see your business and its potential in a practical way that’s relevant to businesses of all ages and sizes. These sessions will allow you to see your business in a very different way and offer practical steps towards business success!
Tuesday 14 June (13:00–15:00) | Plymouth Patent Library 1:1s | Virtual
Plymouth PatLib offers 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.
Thursday 16 June (11:00–13:00) | Building resilience as a start-Up | Virtual
So you’re a first time founder; now how do you grow your business and overcome challenge without frantically flip-flopping between ideas in the hope they’ll work? We’ll discuss the core skills and mindset needed to resist fast track results, dealing with being overwhelmed, preparation and procrastination.