Network612
Network612 starts again in October 2010 – term 1.
The University of Kent’s innovative new network Network612. Open to graduates and undergraduates from the University who are considering setting-up their own business or being self-employed, local business people and business advisors.
The final Network612 event for this academic year 31st March 2010:
Time: 5.30 – 7.00
Venue: The Bulb – Unit 70 Canterbury Innovation Centre
An opportunity to come and talk with your colleagues about business ideas and developments, and to enjoy a relaxing chat before the Easter holiday and the exam term.
Announcement of the Winners of the UoK Business Ideas Competition!
Stephanie Barwick, Senior Enterprise Manager from the Kent Enterprise Hub, will also talk about the new ‘small grants’ available for UoK students and graduate business start-ups.
The networking and awards will take place in the Bulb. The Bulb is the new student innovation space in the Canterbury Innovation Centre – along University Road
We look forward to seeing and meeting you again and indeed welcoming new members.
Fred Ryder, Network Convenor, 01227 824335, fr2@kent.ac.uk
Tracy Crowther, Student Enterprise Officer, 01227 823733, t.s.crowther@kent.ac.uk
The network is a collaboration between Kent Business School and Kent Innovation and Enterprise.
Membership:
- Students registered on CB612 for 2009/10 (85 C, 40 M) for whom attendance is compulsory. This forms the focus for 20% of the module assessment under the heading entrepreneurial skills application and development
- Students running or considering running their own business
- 2009 Kent graduates contemplating self-employment
- Small local businesses in both for profit and not for profit sectors
- Business support agencies
The objective of the network is not to set-up in competition with other business support services but bring them together with our students and local businesses. This will provide you with the opportunity to develop your networking skills, make contact with local employers and a range of business support agaencies.
The inaugural event was held on the 8th October at the newly-built Woolf College, on the University’s Canterbury Campus.
The forum attracted over 200 students, successful graduates, local businesses and business support agencies. Deputy Vice Chancellor Denise Everitt introduced a series of speakers including:
Professor Paul Phillips – Director of Kent Business School
Joel Deakin – Current student on CB612
Julie Banner – Previous Student from CB612
Susan Booth - Pilgrims Hospice, Head of Fundraising
Roger House - Federation of Small Businesses.
Paul Barron – Director of Kent Foundation
James Gransby -Larkings Chartered Accountants, Partner
Kent IT Clinic
Keynote Speaker – Dr Chris Soloman - VisionMetric Ltd
The keynote speech was by Dr Chris Solomon, an entrepreneurial Kent academic who spoke about his spin-out company, VisionMetric Ltd, the UK’s leading developer of facial composite software to the Police.
The event offered an excellent opportunity for businesses to engage with enterprising students, as well as local support agencies and University staff.
The second event on 5th November, saw Peter Cook (author of Sex, Leadership and Rock and Roll) as the keynote speaker, who gave a fascinating talk on what not to do in business. Peter regularly appears on the BBC and is a popular business speaker, with a unique way of getting his message across to his audience.
The 3rd December event saw a talk from global entrepreneur, Colin Carter, ‘from shipping company to artist: the unpredictable road to success’ with a keynote from Sir Robert Worcester the Chancellor of the University, and founder of the MORI organisation: ‘branding, targeting and reaching your customers’
The 4th February 2010 saw talks from Jon Barrett (Purelabs) ’The Story of Intelligent Flatplan’ Winner of the 2009 Kent Innovation Challenge and Jonnie Jensen (TMANDI)
Social Media Marketing for Your Business
4th March 2010 with Jo Gideon who had a varied and eventful entrepreneurial career.
If you would like to engage with Network612, please contact us at roundone@kent.ac.uk
