Alex van Someren and Jon Bradford to share experiences to inspire and motivate attendees
Idea Transform, the major new initiative to support meaningful entrepreneurs, today announced entrepreneur and venture capitalist Alex van Someren and startup accelerator founder Jon Bradford as the first keynote speakers for its weekend event on 20-22 April 2012.
Alex van Someren is currently a partner at venture capital fund Amadeus Capital Partners, which he joined after founding and building innovative, ideas-based businesses ANT and nCipher, both of which ultimately grew to become listed companies. He has worked in the technology sector since the 1980s and was appointed as an Entrepreneur in Residence at the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge in 2005.
Jon Bradford has spent most of the last ten years working in and around early stage companies, notably founding startup accelerator Springboard and bootcamp programmes The Difference Engine and ignite100. Springboard, where Jon is CEO, is based in Cambridge and London and is an intensive 13 week mentorship-led accelerator programme for startups that provides seed capital, office space and – most importantly – that magical ingredient of “smart-community” with mentors and other entrepreneurs.
Created in partnership with the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL), Idea Transform aims to help those developing innovative ideas turn them into sustainable businesses through a programme that combines events, mentoring and targeted support. It will support ideas in areas as diverse as education, health, finance, community and the environment.
A weekend to change the world, the first event in the Idea Transform programme takes place between 20-22 April 2012 at the Cambridge Judge Business School. It will team up people with ideas and those with business, marketing and technical skills to work together intensely over the weekend in order to develop meaningful and innovative projects. Attendees will benefit from a combination of hands-on, experienced mentors and inspiring keynote speakers to provide the perfect environment to learn, advance their ideas, have fun and network with like-minded individuals.
At the end of the weekend an international judging panel will select those projects that show the most promise and Idea Transform will then work closely with them to provide ongoing mentoring and support.
Alex van Someren, general partner, Amadeus Capital Partners, said:
Technology advances mean we now have the opportunity to develop ideas that both change the world for the better and create sustainable, profitable businesses. That’s why I’m excited to be speaking at Idea Transform – it aims to not only uncover the next generation of innovation, but help to build businesses that can really make a difference to society.”
Jon Bradford, CEO, Springboard, said:
Moving from an idea to a startup is one of the biggest jumps in the lifecycle of early stage companies. Idea Transform has been created to encourage and support this jump, which is why I’m speaking at the event. I’m convinced the weekend will produce a new crop of startups that can then be nurtured into viable businesses moving forward.”