Business leaders, academics and student entrepreneurs will share their business and research expertise and showcase their start-up successes at the University of Bath’s second annual Enterprise Day next week.
Enterprise Day on Wednesday, March 29, is part of the university’s Enterprise and Entrepreneurship programme, which supports staff, students, graduates and entrepreneurs with their ambitions.
The university has a strong track record in creating spin-out companies and sharing its research expertise with the business world – reflected by nine University of Bath entrepreneurs being shortlisted in the National Startup Awards.
Vice-president enterprise Prof Jonathan Knight said: “I am delighted that we are able to once again celebrate our Enterprise Day, building on the success of last year’s inaugural event.
“Fostering an innovative and enterprising campus culture is of prime importance to the University as we seek to recognise and support all our staff and students who pursue an entrepreneurial path,” said.
The event will be opened by university vice-chancellor and president Prof Ian White, who is expected to outline its vision and ambitions for its enterprise offering and flag its importance to the audience of researchers, students, alumni, entrepreneurs and external stakeholders.
Attendees will then hear from expert speakers on a variety of topics, including transforming research into business ideas, join business masterclasses, engage in networking, as well as getting the chance to speak with student entrepreneurs exhibiting their start-ups on stands in a showcase area.
External speakers will include alumni Stephen Carter who, as a European patent attorney, founded The Intellectual Property Works to help innovative start-ups and SMEs to leverage their IP, and Jordan Harry, CEO of StudyFast, the firm behind online courses that tap into some of the brains of the world’s most insightful learners, thinkers and storytellers.
Enterprising researchers with experience of commercialising their ideas will also be contributing throughout the day, including Dr Vimal Dhokia, deputy head of Mechanical Engineering and co-founder of design software firm Gen3D, Prof Toby Jenkins, principal investigator at meditech SmartWound, and Prof Randy Mrsny, founder of Applied Molecular Transport, which is developing transformational biologic medicines.
Margaret Heffernan, Prof of Practice at the university’s School of Management, will talk on the advantages of failure. Margaret co-leads the Forward Institute, which supports responsible leadership and mentors CEOs and senior executives of major global organisations.
University director of external engagement Stephen Rangecroft said: “I am thrilled that we are able to assemble such an impressive group of individuals who can share such valuable insights and lessons learned from their entrepreneurial journeys.
“Our second Enterprise Day will appeal to students, researchers and local SMEs who are interested in starting and sustaining new businesses.”
