Contents

1. Bright Ideas Final 2010 Winners
2. Get Your Bright Future
3. Dare To Be Different? Social Entrepreneurship
4. Announcing the Spring 2010 Ventures Academy

1. Bright Ideas Final 2010 Winners



The 6th WestFocus Bright Ideas competition attracted more entries than ever before. Students from across the WestFocus consortium submitted 175 entries. Some students entered in teams, bringing the total number involved to 275.

Ideas were varied in origin and style, including social enterprises, enterprise projects, and products and services with commercial targets. Online software solutions were popular; other examples included a vital aid for health care providers in the prevention of deep vein thrombosis and a social enterprise which could supplement London’s consumption patterns with fruit and vegetables that are produced on the vertical spaces in the city.

To listen to the winners podcasts, see the photographs and to find out more go to the Entrepreneurship Centre website.

2. Get Your Bright Future - 16-18 June 2010, Kingston University

An intensive, fun and challenging three-day programme for enterprising students using speakers, team games and business simulation. Come along and:

• develop your enterprising spirit
• communicate more effectively
• get support for ideas
• hear from inspiring entrepreneurs
• add value to your personal pitch and CV
• build your network and job potential

This highly successful programme has been running for five years. It is free but limited to the first sixty students who enrol (with a refundable booking deposit) from: Brunel, Kingston, Royal Holloway, Roehampton, St George’s, Thames Valley and Westminster universities.

Applications close on Friday 28 May 2010.

Apply at: www.westfocus.org.uk/entrepreneurship

3. Dare to be different? Social Entrepreneurship
£5,000 grants available for social projects!

Tuesday, 20 April 2010, 5:30pm – 7.30pm
Room M513, University of Westminster, 35 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5LS

Social entrepreneurs are people with vision, drive, commitment and passion who want to change the world for the better. Does this sound like you? Come to find out more on what social entrepreneurship is about, how to get a £5,000 grant to set up your own social enterprise and meet like-minded people who all want to transform the world into a better place.

Register and find out more at: social-entrepreneurship.eventbrite.com/

Speakers: Rhiannon Horsley from UnLtd and Richard Pitts from Community Volunteering Unit

Organised by: Westminster Enterprise Entity (www.westminster.ac.uk/enterprise)

4. Announcing the Spring 2010 Ventures Academy
Start-up Finance & Investment Readiness

Where: Hauser Forum, Cambridge
When: April 27, 28 and May 26, 2010
Website: www.nacue.com/ventures
Register: www.nacueventures.eventbrite.com/

'The Venture Academy process has enabled many entrepreneurs, companies and projects to become Investment Ready and connect with prospective investors. The programme is delivered by experienced investors and entrepreneurs who have been there and done it.' - Prof. Alan Barrell, Cambridge Angel & Entrepreneur in Residence

Day 1: Start-up Finance Masterclass (April 27) - Educates young entrepreneurs on all aspects of funding entrepreneurial start-ups, availability and sources of finance

Day 2: Investement Readiness Academy (April 28) - Provides start-ups with the knowledge and skills to become investment ready

Day 3: Deal Day (May 26 by invitation only) - Connects investment-ready ventures with interested investors in a 'Deal Day'

The Venture Academy Programme is broken down into three distinct sections - one per day - enabling young entrepreneurs to attend the most relevant element or engage in the entire programme depending on the stage of their venture. Registration for the programe includes all training materials and programme modules, which have been tested and proven over many years of application in several European countries, Canada, India and China.

Register now for the ultimate opportunity to learn about start-up finance, become investment-ready and connect with investors.

The Entrepreneurship Team: www.westfocus.org.uk/entrepreneurship