UWTSD to celebrate Global Entrepreneurship Week
03.11.2021
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) is marking Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) (November 8-12) by hosting a series of talks and events to engage and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The University has an impressive record of graduate start-ups. The Higher Education Statistics Agency ranked UWTSD in 2019/2020 as:
#1 in UK for start-ups still active after 3-years.
#2 in the UK for total number of active firms.
#9 in UK for total number employed in graduate start-ups.
The university’s Institute for Sustainable Practice, Innovation, Research & Enterprise (INSPIRE) team sits behind much of the success. They offer a range of support for fledgling businesses, most of which are inspired by, and designed in collaboration with, these entrepreneurial alumni. Supported by Welsh Government and their Big Ideas Wales initiative, it is a powerful mix.
Within INSPIRE, the university’s International Institute for Creative Entrepreneurial Development (IICED) is an acknowledged world leader in developing future-proof types of education that help learners to succeed.
Dr Kathryn Penaluna, Associate Professor in Enterprise Education at UWTSD said: “A key aspect of the university’s work supporting entrepreneurship and enterprise is that it teaches skills that are useful not just for starting your own business, but also for progressing your career if you work for a company, especially when that company needs creative problem solvers.
“Being enterprising doesn’t mean that we need to start a business, but we have the potential to, whether it be now or later in our career. In many cases this may be a long-term goal, and for others it may not be on their radar at all.
“The evidence is very clear that businesses need people who can bring ideas to the table, suggest ways to make them happen and take the initiative. Companies see enterprising skills as an indicator of how well you will be able to support the company longer term - through promotion and the types of leadership responsibilities that come with it.
“So, enhancing entrepreneurial skills, such as creativity and critical thinking, and being flexible and adaptable to respond to challenge and opportunities, is a win, win, because it can help you to progress your career wherever you wish to go. The Entrepreneurship side will also help you to understand how a company works and why, for example, some things are prioritised above others. An employee who understands what makes their company tick is a very valuable employee indeed.”
Former students who are now running successful businesses have consistently praised the support received from the university, which supports the idea that in turn, the University can learn from them.
Neil Dyer, founder of business consultancy NeoDynamic, graduated from UWTSD with a distinction in his MBA (master’s in business administration). He said: “My degree gave me the confidence and skill to give it a go. I was at a turning point in my career. I had a senior management job and a growing family, but the spark and excitement to go to work had gone. I was toying with the idea of setting up on my own, but I didn't know what to do and I didn't have enough belief in myself. The MBA helped solidify my business knowledge, the lecturers encouraged my learning and one in particular gave me the time and encouragement to start up my own business consultancy. I started planning my business in my first year and NeoDynamic started trading in my second year.”
Sara Holden gained a Master’s in Visual Arts Enterprise at UWTSD, having previously gained a degree in Fine Art in London. In 2005 she set up Sculpture by the Sea UK, an Environmental Arts Company operating in South and West Wales.
She said: “UWTSD have looked at all aspects of running a creative business from marketing to making art and have designed courses that are really useful for students. They have employed the best lecturers possible to deliver these courses which are realistic as well as being inspirational to students.”
Naomi Bishop, co-founder of Hozah, which specialises in digital land management for the Smart City in the Transport and Parking sector, graduated from UWTSD with a BA (Hons) Product Design degree. Hozah now works with a plethora of Local Authorities, NHS sites and private businesses all over the UK.
Naomi said: “A lot of effort has been put into making UWTSD a hub for creativity over the years. Entrepreneurship and creativity were encouraged and I’ve no doubt the students who came after me will thrive in the University for years to come. Alongside the great facilities available for students, has to be the quality of the lecturers showing you the ropes. I think it’s incredibly valuable to have people teaching you who have ‘walked the walk’ themselves, and the lecturers who taught me during my time at UWTSD still remain some of the most talented people I’ve ever met.”
As part of GEW Week 2021, Surface Pattern Design and Textiles, Design Crafts and Product and Furniture Design students at UWTSD's Swansea College of Art will be taking part in a live challenge for Cutting Edge X Changemakers as part of The Project: Advent Animal Magic. The Surface Pattern Design and Textiles students will be designing Christmas stocking clothkits, 3D eco printed and laser cut wooden slot formed decorations.
Other Events planned for GEW Week 2021 include:
Monday 8th November 10.00am-11.30pm
How to start your own business
Have you been considering starting a business now or in the future? Maybe you want to learn if starting a business is a good idea or discovering how to go about it. During this session you will be hearing from a business owner about their start-up journey. What went well for them and what they wouldn’t do again. This inspiring session will enable you to consider if business start-up is right for you and get some of your burning questions answered.
Monday 8th November 12 noon – 1.30pm
Starting a business while you are still studying
Are you a student and considering starting or have you already started your own business? This session is for you.
During this session you will meet and hear from three business owners who all started their business while studying at university. They will share their experiences good and bad of juggling studying with business start-up. Each of them is at a different point in the journey so you are sure to discover all kinds of hints and tips to help you in your own business start-up plans whilst completing your own studies.
Monday 8th November 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Tax doesn’t have to be scary
If you are put off starting a business because you don't understand the Tax and financial implications of business, then join us on this session to learn why you don’t need to be scared. This session will be led by an experienced business owner and will aim to answer as many of your questions as they can.
Monday 8th November 4.00pm-5.30pm
Wales Student Market Bootcamp - GET SELLING ONLINE!
Do you want to learn how to sell online? Join us for day 1 of this 3-day boot camp that will help you kickstart your e-commerce journey.
Book here for this external event https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wales-student-market-bootcamp-get-selling-online-tickets-171861752127
Tuesday 9th November 10.00am - 11.30am
Developing an App for your Business
If you are considering developing an App as your business idea, then join us on this fun session to learn more from a business owner who develops App as part of their business offering.
Tuesday 9th November 12.30pm - 1.30pm
How to access mentor support for your business
Having a mentor to support you in your business journey provides you with a higher likelihood of success. Many great entrepreneurs of the world put down much of their success to the mentors they have had working with them. But how do you find a mentor? To learn more about what a mentor does, how you can access support from mentors and any other questions you might have join us on this fantastic session.
Tuesday 9th November 2.30pm - 4.00pm
Digital Marketing
Digital marketing is now a core activity for any new business owner. If you are interested in using digital marketing to promote yourself or your business idea, then come along to this session to learn more from a company that delivers this service to its clients.
Tuesday 9th November 4.00pm-5.30pm
Wales Student Market Bootcamp - GET SELLING ONLINE!
Do you want to learn how to sell online? Join us for day 2 of this 3-day boot camp that will help you kickstart your e-commerce journey
Book here for this external event https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wales-student-market-bootcamp-get-selling-online-tickets-171861752127
Wednesday 10th November 10.00pm - 11.30pm
Social Enterprise
Have you considered running a social enterprise come and hear from Ben Reynolds of the Urban Foundary “Our work is fuelled by a strong creative streak, which began in the creative sector, delivering live music events, pop-up galleries, community projects and social enterprises. At the same time, we were founded on the back of a strong social sciences discipline – social research, urban design and regeneration, and socio-economics.”
Wednesday 10th November 12 noon – 1.00pm
Social Enterprise
Have you ever wondered where you could access funding to set up your Social Enterprise then please come along to hear from UnLtd who offer funding to help you get started or get to the next stage of your journey. From £500 - £20,000. But they also do a lot more!
Wednesday 10th November 1.00pm – 2.30pm
Social Enterprise
Have you considered running a social enterprise then please come and here from Harri Helvon-Hardy of FABRIC it is an Award-winning organization that is making a positive difference to young people aged 16+ who are either in care or are leaving care.
Wednesday 10th November 3.00pm – 4.30pm
What is Social Enterprise
Have you considered running a social enterprise but don’t know where to start? Then come along and listen to speakers from the Wales Cooperative Centre who specialize in offering support and advice to aspiring social entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into reality.
Wednesday 9th November 4.00pm-5.30pm
Wales Student Market Bootcamp - GET SELLING ONLINE!
Do you want to learn how to sell online? Join us for day 3 of this 3-day boot camp that will help you kickstart your e-commerce journey
Book here for this external event https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wales-student-market-bootcamp-get-selling-online-tickets-171861752127
Thursday 11th November 10.00pm - 11.30pm
How to be a freelancer for those in the creative space
Is your degree likely to lead you to the world of freelancing? Does this worry you or maybe you’re really excited at the prospect but still don’t know what it means or how it will work? This session will consider freelancing for those working in the creative sectors and draw upon the experience of a current freelancer. Bring along all your questions on Freelancing.
Thursday 11th November 12 noon – 1.30pm
Target Marketing
Following on from our Digital Marketing session, deep dive into identifying and developing an appropriate and effective target market marketing strategy. Often the missing ingredient in 99% of SME digital marketing efforts.
Thursday 11th November 1.00pm - 2.30pm
How to run and market an activity business
Is your business idea in the outdoors, tourism or activity sector then join us to hear from a business owner who offers fantastic outdoor activities as she shares with us her top tips on how to market this type of business.
Thursday 11th November 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Mix up and pitch
Interested in freelance or business start-up? Meet like-minded students and entrepreneurs, build contacts, network, and develop pitching skills at this year’s Mix-up & Pitch!
This online, informal event is all about building your networks and developing entrepreneurial skills. You will have the chance to network and mingle with entrepreneurs and like-minded students from across Wales. Those who wish can also choose to pitch their business ideas for feedback and prizes.
When you register, you’ll be asked whether you want to network, or network and pitch. You only pitch if you want to!
To register for this event please follow this link - https://bit.ly/3B1dBg1
Friday 12th November 9.30am – 11.30am
How to set up a web site for your business
Whatever your business idea it is likely you are going to need a web site. Come along to this session to learn more about web sites, how to create them, use them and get people to visit them. Bring along your questions for this great session run by a highly experienced business owner and web creator.
Friday 12th November 12 noon – 1.00pm
How to use social media such as Instagram to market your business
Come along and learn the tips needed to transform the way you use social media from just posting your products or services to learn how to interact directly with your customers and find out how to use the most appropriate for your target audience.
Friday 12th November 1.00pm - 2.00pm
How to use You Tube in your business
Fancy using You Tube in your business idea. Then join us for this fun session run by an experienced You Tuber with nearly 10k subscribers. Learn how to use You Tube to make money, build a business and who knows maybe become a star!
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Swyddog Gweithredol Cysylltiadau â’r Wasg a’r Cyfryngau
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Cyfathrebu Corfforaethol a Chysylltiadau Cyhoeddus
Corporate Communications and PR
Mobile: 07384 467071
Email: Rebecca.Davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
