Programme schedule

In this introductory segment, we set the scene for the lecture series and discuss fundamental concepts and themes crucial for understanding the field.

• Acing the EnterpriseTECH assignments. Stephanie Richards, Innovation Policy Specialist, 500 Startups; Executive Director, BrightView Advisors and EnterpriseTECH supervisor.
• Technological creation and disruption: the cases of watches and music streaming. Professor Mauro Guillén, Dean, CJBS.
• Entrepreneurial success and failure. Professor Matthew Grimes, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Futures, Academic Co-Director, Entrepreneurship Centre, CJBS.
• Entrepreneurship and great ideas: innovating for sustainability. Diageo Professor in Organisation Studies, CJBS.
• Process models for innovation and entrepreneurship. Prof Stelios Kavadias, Vice Dean and Margaret Thatcher Professor of Enterprise Studies in Innovation & Growth, Academic Co-Director, Entrepreneurship Centre, CJBS.
• In action: Turning ideas into innovations. Dr Hitesh Sanganee, Head of Emerging Technologies, AstraZeneca.

Learn to build and lead teams with talks and workshops that offer tools and insights. Establish a culture of clear goals, unified commitment, and team enjoyment. Self-analysis and interpretation of cognitive and personality profiles can help identify areas for growth and improve understanding of strengths and weaknesses.

• The Entrepreneurial Brain Challenge. Emily Clements, Entrepreneurial Brain Challenge, King’s College London and Imperial College London.
• High performance teams: building your SHIPS. Paul Bourne, Fellow of Creative Engagement, CJBS and Artistic Director of the Menagerie Theatre Company.
• EPIC Team building workshops. Paul Bourne, Fellow of Creative Engagement, CJBS and Artistic Director of the Menagerie Theatre Company.
• Entrepreneurs and complementary cognition. Dr Helen Taylor, Research Associate and Project Lead on the Complementary Cognition, Entrepreneurship & Societal Adaptation at the University of Strathclyde.
• In action: The epigenetics of entrepreneurship: How life’s lessons leave their mark. Dr Jason Mellad, CEO and Co-Founder, Start Codon.

Early-stage ventures must balance innovation with legal protection for their intellectual property. Patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets offer different protection mechanisms. A comprehensive strategy for managing and enforcing IP, including audits and legal action, is crucial. Striking the right balance between innovation and legal protection is essential for success.

• You have had a clever idea, so what’s next? Engaging with legal counsel. Julia Gwilt, Partner and Dr Kealan Fallon, Appleyard Lees.
• Intellectual property and business models. Dr Keivan Aghasi, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship,  The University of Sheffield, Honorary Associate, CJBS.
• Founders keepers: IP strategy for entrepreneurs. Joseph Simon-Brown, Partner, Patent Attorney, J A Kemp LLP.
• IP Business model: capitalising on your innovation. Daniel Rooke, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Start Codon.
• In action: From fundamental research to a solution to plastic pollution. Dr Marc Rodriguez Garcia, Head of Research, Xampla Ltd

Evaluating business ideas requires market research to understand the target market, customer needs, and competition. Developing a solid business model with value proposition, revenue streams, and resources is crucial to assess financial feasibility and identify potential risks.

• From market entry to profitability: Navigating the commercialisation process. Prof Chris Coleridge, Senior Faculty in Management Practice, CJBS and Founder and CEO of Carbon13 Venture Builder.
• Finding your niche: Strategies for targeting the right customers and markets. Dr Keivan Aghasi, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship,  The University of Sheffield, Honorary Associate, CJBS.
• Navigating the due diligence process. Andrew Hatcher, Managing Director, The Applied Knowledge Network Ltd.
• In action: Creative Disruption: What will it take to create the tech company of the future? Ajay Chowdhury, Tech entrepreneur, writer, theatre director and Chairman of the Board for Cambridge Enterprise.

Market research requires macroeconomic analysis, profiling, and forecasting to understand customers. Test the clear value proposition before proceeding. A business model canvas visually represents the value proposition, customer segments, revenue streams, and cost structure to identify areas of opportunity and strength.

• Using the business model canvas. Ludo Chapman, Founder, The Innovation Practice.
• Accessing the right data: Tools and databases for market research. Dr Keivan Aghasi, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship,  The University of Sheffield, Honorary Associate, CJBS.
• Customer profiling and market analysis. Dr Keivan Aghasi, Lecturer in Entrepreneurship,  The University of Sheffield, Honorary Associate, CJBS.
• Connecting with your customers: How branding can influence perception and build trust. Mario Prelorenzo, Managing Director, JDJ Creative.
• Mastering the message. Simon Hall, Director, Creative Warehouse.
• The alphabet model to grasp the basics of today’s marketing. Andrew Hatcher, Managing Director, The Applied Knowledge Network.
• Beyond launch: Navigating the journey to product-market fit. Tom Britton, Co-founder, SyndicateRoom.
• In action: Aqdot: The journey of a chemtech company. Dr Jing Zhang, Co-founder and Strategy Director, Aqdot.

Early stage companies should raise funds strategically, considering equity or debt investments from angel investors, VCs or crowdfunding. A solid business plan and networking are crucial to attract investors. Focus on showcasing potential for growth while minimising risks. Choose investments that align with your goals and values.

• Financial literacy for entrepreneurs. Simon Stockley, Senior Faculty in Management Practice, Cambridge Judge Business School.
• You have the attention of the venture capitalists – now what? Ed Rayner, Commercial Director, Blok Bioscience.
• To exit or not to exit, that is the question! Prashant Shah, Co-CEO & Co-founder of o2h group.

Entrepreneurship can be challenging, especially for newcomers who may feel overwhelmed. Reflect on your progress, accomplishments, challenges faced, and lessons learned to identify areas for improvement and set future goals. Seek inspiration and learn from other successful entrepreneurs by exploring their personal stories and entrepreneurial journeys to avoid pitfalls and make better decisions.

• Venturing beyond the lab: real stories from the coalface
• Dr Rodrigo Santos, Entrepreneur in Residence at BiOrigin, Novo Seeds.
• Dr Catherine Elton, CEO and Co-Founder, Qkine.
• Dr Jason Mellad, CEO and Co-founder, Start Codon.
• Dr Gita Khalili Moghaddam, Founder and CEO of GlycoVue and TumourVue.
• Dr Geoff Smith, Founder and CEO of Syndex Bio.