In February we held a 2-day Entrepreneur’s workshop for early stage companies which focused on the key elements of early stage business growth.

The programme is organised by Global No. 1 business incubator, SETsquared and this programme was designed for early stage companies innovating in the sustainable technologies sector. Expert speakers and coaches from the sector ran the course which covered a wide variety of subjects from business model design, customer insight, prototyping the business model and finance / investor perspectives.

Day one we welcomed delegates from seven very diverse companies - ranging from carbon zero transport, sustainable auditing, sustainable food poverty, energy and conservation. Following the welcomes and introductions teams were formed and it was straight into the marshmallow challenge - a great way to break down any barriers and to get the competitiveness underway to see which team could build the highest-free standing structure!

ICE-BREAKER AS DELEGATES TRY TO CREATE THE HIGHEST FREE-STANDING STRUCTURE FROM MARSHMALLOWS

Following this fun activity delegates where then given insights into why innovations fail and why they succeed. The cohort then looked at innovation best practice to work towards their own business model canvas, along with understanding who their customers are to help them form market segments which led them onto understanding the value proposition canvas and routes to market - all of which raised some interesting questions.

Lunch gave an opportunity for networking, before the afternoon session which continued to focus on the business model design - building the story and how to impact your audience.

SOME OF THE COHORT EXPLORING BUSINESS METHODS FOR THEIR OWN BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS

Back for another productive day on the second day and the cohorts spent time refining their business presentations ahead of presenting to the panelists. Expert advice was also provided on understanding an investors view of a business model.

Before lunch everyone was invited to present their business model story - a great way to receive peer to peer support and feedback.

Lunch provided further networking and the chance for the entrepreneur’s to further prepare their business model.

DELEGATES WORKING HARD ON THEIR BUSINESS MODEL CANVAS AHEAD OF PRESENTING TO THE EXPERT PANELISTS

Each entrepreneur then took to the floor to present their business models to the expert panelists. After the series of excellent pitches it was time for the entrepreneur’s to have one to one sessions with the panelists who provided detailed, precise and constructive feedback.

AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE CONSTRUCTIVE FEEDBACK AND DECIDE NEXT ROUTE AT THE 1:1 MENTORING SESSIONS

Thank you to everyone who came along to this 2-day Entrepreneur’s Programme - some very interesting business ideas setting out on their new and exciting business journey.

The 2-day Entrepreneur’s Programme provides an excellent opportunity for early stage companies to hear from expert coaches and the chance to network and collaborate with other SMEs.

These workshop programmes are fully funded through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and suitable for founders and managers of early stage businesses which have been operating for under 12 months.

For further information and to register your interest for the next programme visit the web page, here.

STBAH 2-day Entrepreneur’s Programme brings together diverse mix of early stage companies