Scotland's entrepreneurial ecosystem was in full force this week and that's BEFORE Global Entrepreneurship Week next week! Converge Challenge was delighted to attend 4 inspiring events and we'd like to share some of our experiences.
Tuesday 10th November
Universities Scotland Making it Happen: Encouraging Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh
The week began with the Universities Scotland annual parliamentary reception that focused on demonstrating universities' commitment to a culture of enterprise and entrepreneurship, a priority for Universities Scotland, which link with the Scottish Government's Can Do Scotland strategy. It coincided with the launch of a new cross-sector commitment and action plan, Making it Happen, intended to increase the scale and impact of Universities contribution to enterprise and entrepreneurship in Scotland to increase the number of student start-ups and staff spin-out companies.
The drinks reception had a great atmosphere was packed full of guests and exhibitors from Scotland's universities' and other organisations from the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The event began with a welcome from host, Liz Smith MSP, Spokesperson on Culture, Sport and Young People and Policy Co-ordinator, followed by Universities Scotland's Convener, Professor Sir Pete Downes who spoke about the joint commitment among all 19 Universities to support enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Next up, Lara and Josh from GearedApp Ltd, a mobile-focussed digital solutions company from Edinburgh Napier University shared their entrepreneurial journey, followed by a motivational speech from Chairmen of Entrepreneurial Scotland, Chris Van Der Kuyl on how "Scotland can be the most entrepreneurial society in the world!"
Finally, Angela Constance MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning provided the keynote address and spoke of how she wants Scotland to be recognised as an entrepreneurial nation. She also highlighted the importance of Enterprise Campus, SIE and Converge Challenge as great examples of universities' work on enterprise and entrepreneurship.
Overall, a very inspiring evening!
Next up the team were split across two incredible events.
Wednesday 11th November
We Are the Future at the Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh
WeAreTheFuture is a youth entrepreneurship organisation, which organises global summits across the world to inspire and connect entrepreneurs. Converge met start up entrepreneurs, shared stories, passed on advice and learnt from each other including Deputy First Minister John Swinney MSP who talked about the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere in Scottish business development driving our entrepreneurial ecosystem. He sent out an invitation to all - there's nothing to stop anyone being an entrepreneur. Your time is now! VirginUnite explained how entrepreneurs can be the Yodas of the business world!
Skyscanner Travelpro explained their beginnings and a particular highlight of ours was Stacey Ferreira's advice and personal start up experience. Stacey is an American entrepreneur. Ferreira is best known for co-founding MySocialCloud.com, an online bookmark vault and password manager whose investors include Sir Richard Branson. It was a great day of networking and learnings.
Wednesday 11th & Thursday 12th November
ISBE, Glasgow
ISBE's annual conference on 11 – 12 November 2015 had over 400 attendees from more than 40 countries; with over 250 presentations of the highest quality new entrepreneurial research on a diverse range of topics along with high profile keynote speakers and stimulating panel debates.
The ISBE 2015 conference sought to contribute robust research and comment and inform the debates about how best to achieve excellence in internationalising the business base, develop innovative capacity and leadership, and this was enhanced by the keynote seminar delivered by Olga Kozlova, Director of the Converge Challenge. Olga spoke to an interested group of academics from across the world on the critical elements of entrepreneurship support and development required to enable true international capacity for businesses starting up out of universities. Feedback from the group was fantastic, and lots of jealousy was expressed from international universities who don't have the ecosystem and support mechanisms such as the Converge Challenge in place.
Thursday 12th November
The Scottish Business Awards Festival of Entrepreneurship, EICC, Edinburgh (just before George Clooney arrived!)
Scottish living legend and now entrepreneur, Sir Chris Hoy delivered a highly motivational speech - The Mindset of a Champion - where he explained his Olympic success story which believe it or not began while watching ET!
Chris decided as a young boy he wanted to win an Olympic medal so he did what all good entrepreneurs do - he wrote a success plan aka a business plan. He firmly believes that if you write a business plan you are nine times more likely to achieve it. "You should focus on the process of achievement which will ensure the outcome follows." Another point to note from his speech is that you should not be distracted by things that are outside your control and described his idea of 'cognitive displacement' which also has parallels with life in business - that is focus on the ideal vision. Imagine the scenario you want to happen, focus on that goal and only that goal. Do not imagine failure. Success will follow.
Sir Tom Hunter hosted a panel of experts including Chris van der Kuyl, David Sibbald, Hamid Guedroudji who talked about the topic failure and how being a failure is an evolutionary journey towards success. "If you don't believe something you won't start it.... The worst thing we can do is to deny our failures. We have to learn from them" said David Sibbald.
The winners of the Scottish Business Awards in the afternoon went to:
- Tech Company of the Year - FanDuel
- Business Innovation Award - Route Monkey Ltd
- Emerging Business of the Year - Celtic Renewables
- Marketing Strategy of the Year - The Lane Agency
- SME of the Year - ECS Group
And we're delighted to announce the Scottish Young EDGE winners were announced. The Young EDGE celebrates young entrepreneurs - Directors aged 18-30. In Round 7 three 2015 Converge Challenge Alumni were awarded £42,500 funding on the night:
- MindMateApp from the University of Glasgow. An interactive App developed to ease life for those with dementia - £10,000 awarded
- Turtle Pack from Heriot-Watt University. A flotation device that helps children learning to swim - £10,000 awarded
- EuroBiotix form the University of Aberdeen. A social enterprise company that aims to make a specialist alternative treatment for Clostridium difficile (C.diff), a common hospital-acquired infection, more accessible - £10,000 awarded plus a further £12,500 pitch win on the night
So how do you sum up our week?
"If you walk away with one thing, it's don't give up, we need you guys to succeed. That's the future of Scotland"
Sir Tom Hunter
