Workshops & Programmes
More committed to building your entrepreneurial skills or starting a new venture? Our one-off workshops and longer programmes will help hone both your knowledge and plans. Offers are marked with a level to give you more understanding of where they're pitched, just pick and choose those you'd like
Calendar of activities
Upcoming sessions
Add our calendar of upcoming activities to your calendar! These comprise workshops, fireside chats and events. Register for all those that you would like to attend, using the links provided on the specific calendar activity.
February Sessions
How to Brand you Business
Tuesday 7th Febraury, 11am-12pm, Elmfield Building room 109
What you’ll learn:
- How to create an impactful brand that will quickly engage your audience and clearly communicate your offer
- Understand why the purpose, personality and function of a business is crucial for success
- This is an interactive session providing helpful tips, pointers and the opportunity for Q&A
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates, from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those considering founding a business or building their personal brand
Delivered by:
Rob Sullivan, (Print and Creative Services) a specialist in brand identity, brand expression and campaign creation. Rob helps start-ups crystallize their vision through brand messaging, brand identity and visual language, to transform complex brand challenges into tangible solutions.
Entrepreneurs and Being your Own Boss
Wednesday 15th February, 11am - 12pm
(Note: This session will be held online)
What you’ll learn:
- Hear from Sheffield graduates who have started (and exited) their own companies.
- Get inspiration from hearing their insights of being self-employed
- Have your questions answered
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates, from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those exploring, considering or developing a business idea
Delivered by:
Scott Gladwood (Tutorful) is an inspirational, mission-driven visionary. Scott successfully grew and exited his business, now is the Strategic Lead of enterprise at the University.
Mihaela Gruia (Research Retold) is passionate about the intersection between research, communication and design, and how this can be leveraged to create positive change in society.
Will Chew (Maktok) a self-taught Malaysian chef who won funding for his award winning business in Dragons Den.
Become a Changemaker: Be Enterprising
Wednesday 15th February, 12pm-1pm
(Note: This session will be held online - the link to join will be provided to all those that register)
What you’ll learn:
- The relevance of being enterprising in today’s society
- The journey of creating a problem focussed startup
- Attributes of a founder
- This is an interactive session providing helpful tips, pointers and the opportunity for Q&A
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates, from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those wanting to explore solving problems or those with early stage businesses
Delivered by:
Tom Hemington (University of Sheffield) who provides support to grow and develop student, staff and graduate entrepreneurs. Tom also works part-time as the technical lead for Motion Exercise, an award-winning social enterprise, offering exercise sessions to older adults in care homes.
March Sessions
How to Launch a Social Enterprise - Fireside Chat
Wednesday 8th March, 11:30am-12:30pm, Arts Tower, Lecture Theatre 1 (NOTE CHANGE OF VENUE)
(Note: There will be 30 minutes of networking before and after the session to meet our team and other founders.)
What you’ll learn:
- The entrepreneurial journeys of two social entrepreneur graduates
- Tips on how to launch new ventures focused on improving lives
- Inspiration to solve worldly problems and generate impact
- This is an interactive session providing helpful tips, pointers and the opportunity for Q&A
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates , from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those contemplating founding a social enterprise or considering a social impact project
In conversation with:
Aaron Probert (Labre’s Hope) and Zeezy Qureshi (Motion Exercise CIC).
Founder Aaron, has generated 28 jobs, in just 7 months in a bid to end homelessness across South Yorkshire. He is driven by community. Whilst Zeezy, CEO of Motion, is a passionate advocate for healthy ageing, inclusivity and social impact for older adults.
Hugely energetic and inspirational, these entrepreneurs are not to be missed. Bring a friend and be inspired.
This session will be led by Scott Gladwood, Strategic Lead for the Enterprise Team. There will also be a time of open Q&A in the second half of the session.
How to raise funds: An investors perspective - Fireside Chat
Tuesday 14th March 12pm-1pm, Richard Roberts room B79
(Note: There will be 30 minutes of networking before and after the session to meet our team and other founders.)
What you’ll learn:
- Different ways to fund your business
- What investors want to see in a business pitch
- This is an interactive session providing helpful tips, pointers and the opportunity for Q&A
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates , from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those with a startup that are wanting to raise funds
In conversation with:
Giles Moore (NorthInvest) is a multi-award winning CEO, who launched his own VC-funded tech business, Airstoc, in 2014. Now working for NorthInvest, Giles helps founders secure investment to further scale their ventures.
This session will be lead by Scott Gladwood, Strategic Lead for the Enterprise Team. There will also be a time of open Q&A in the second half of the session.
How to Launch and Scale a Startup - Fireside Chat
Thursday 23rd March, 11:30am-12:30pm, RIchard Roberts room B79 (NOTE THIS ROOM CHANGE!)
(Note: There will be 30 minutes of networking before and after the session to meet our team and other founders.)
What you’ll learn:
- Hear from the inspirational Dan Dukeson as he shares insights gained from his entrepreneurial journey
- The pitfalls and mistakes to avoid
- Inspiration to get going on your own business venture
- This is an interactive session providing helpful tips, pointers and the opportunity for Q&A
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates , from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those keen to know how to get going with a startup or to scale an existing business
In conversation with:
Dan Dukeson (Receptive (acquired) & Snowball), a hugely experienced tech business founder and angel investor. Dan is currently developing the technology that will see Snowball empower people’s choices to reduce our collective impact on the world.
This session will be lead by Scott Gladwood, Strategic Lead for the Enterprise Team. There will also be a time of open Q&A in the second half of the session.
March & April Sessions
Guest Speaker Event: Clive Humby OBE
Wednesday 29th March, 10:30am-12pm, Diamond lecture theatre 8
What you'll learn:
- The story and business insights from successful entrepreneur, Clive Humby OBE
- The importance of data
- Inspiration to get going on your own venture
Who it's for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates , from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those at any stage in their venture whether that is early stage curiosity or launching and scaling a business
Delivered by:
Clive Humby OBE (founder, data scientist and visiting professor) is acknowledged as a world pioneer of data and customer analytics, having founded his global business and worked across 30 global markets.
He was first to coin the phrase “Data is the New Oil” and is consulted at all levels, from government on the implication of Data Science in the UK Economy through to individual clients where he leads key work streams designed to step change their businesses. A truly inspirational speaker.
How to Create a Successful Pitch
Tuesday 25th April, 11:00pm-12:00pm, Hicks Building lecture theatre B
(Note: There will be 30 minutes of networking after the session to meet our team and other founders.)
What you’ll learn:
- The key components to include when crafting a successful pitch
- Tips on how to deliver a winning pitch
- This is an interactive session providing helpful tips, pointers and the opportunity for Q&A
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates, from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those considering founding a business or wanting to develop their public speaking..
In conversation with:
Scott Gladwood (Entrepreneur-in-Residence) who is a former founder of Tutorful, successfully raised both angel and VC backing. Scott now advises startup and spinout founders on how to raise investment.
May Sessions
How to Communicate Visually
Wednesday 3rd May, 10:30am-12pm, Arts Tower floor 13, room 13.19
What you’ll learn:
- How to use visual techniques to explore problems
- Tools and tips to strengthen the communication of design ideas and engage stakeholders.
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! Open to all students and recent graduates, from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- Ideal for those at the early stages of solving a problem and needing to communicate solutions to stakeholders
Delivered by:
Leo Care (CE+CA and University of Sheffield) is the director of collaboration at CE+CA architects as well as university teacher in the School of Architecture. Leo specialises in creative engagement strategies and visioning processes.
How to Create your Company's Vision, Mission and Culture
Tuesday 9th May, 11am - 12pm, Bartolome House room EG03
(Note: There will be 30 minutes of networking after the session to meet our team and other founders.)
What you’ll learn: The importance of defining a clear mission and vision and the steps to creating a sustainable, inclusive and productive culture.
Who it’s for:
- Anyone! I Open to all students and recent graduates, from all faculties, whether you are experienced or a newbie and just curious to get involved, everyone is welcome
- deal for those that are actively developing an idea, are working in a startup or will soon enter the world of work.
Delivered by:
Scott Gladwood (Entrepreneur-in-Residence) is a former founder of Tutorful, a leading Sheffield based tutoring business. Scott has a wealth of experience building, leading and establishing mission focussed teams.