Start-Up Fair – unlocking and supporting new business ideas at Cranfield
As a result of the COVID-19 and its implications for teaching and learning, we have taken the decision to move our Start-Up Fair (formerly known as Start-Up Weekend) online.
The team are currently working hard to create a programme which is interesting and relevant for those of you looking to take a business idea forward.
We are conscious that one of the greatest aspects of the Start-Up Fair is its interactive nature. Previous participants have celebrated the opportunity to work closely with entrepreneurial mentors and we are committed to retaining this level of interactivity in our online version of the programme.
The programme will now be slightly condensed and will be hosted on Zoom on Thursday 30th April, Friday 1st May and Thursday 7th May.
What will be covered during the Start-Up Fair?
On the first day, you will be given the opportunity to hear from former students who were once in your position and are now successfully running their own businesses.
On the 1st and 7th of May, we will be running a number of sessions designed to help you shape your business idea. Some of the topics will include:
- Who's Your Customer?
- Market Application and Commercial Advantages.
- Value Proposition.
- Business Models.
- Raising Capital.
Following each session, you will be given the chance to break into small groups and talk through your idea with an experienced entrepreneur. At the end of the fair, you will get the opportunity to practice pitching your idea and will receive feedback on both your pitch and how to take your idea forward from this point.
What is expected from me?
As many of our mentors will be giving up their own time in order to participate and help you to shape your ideas, we just ask that you are committed and engaged throughout the programme. The Start-Up Fair will run on the following dates and times:
- Thursday 30th April: 2pm until 5pm
- Friday 1st May: 10am until 4:15pm
- Thursday 7th May: 10am until 4:30pm
There will be opportunities to take breaks throughout the programme.
What is the expected outcome?
If your idea and/or your team look viable we will provide you with further support through mentoring, advice (legal and financial) and other routes to markets etc.
If you have engaged in the mentoring process within the centre and we think that you have a viable idea, you may be invited to pitch for investment at Investor Day. This is not a guaranteed outcome and will only be offered to those individuals that are committed and show genuine potential.
