Launch48, a UK wide initiative designed to launch new businesses over one weekend, is calling for more aspiring entrepreneurs to attend the event, being held at Birmingham Science Park Aston from 16th – 18th March 2012.
Serial entrepreneurs who run successful companies, as well as people with relevant skills to the web and mobile industries, such as PayPal, guide and work with the attendees across the two day event. Mentors at this year’s Birmingham Launch48 include angel investor Mark Hales, Birmingham Young Professional of the Year winner in the ‘Entrepreneur’ category Nick Holzherr, and Sell My Mobile founder Keir McConomy.
Launch48 has experienced great success over the past year with at least two start-up businesses going on to generate revenue.
Simon Jenner, Head of Incubation at Birmingham Science Park Aston, said: “Birmingham has a wealth of digital talent and creativity and we’re delighted to welcome Launch48 to the Science Park for the second year running. The event will offer the opportunity for people with an interest in the digital arena to engage, learn, meet new people and potentially end the weekend with a new business idea that is ready to generate revenue.”
Budding entrepreneurs with no or little experience are encouraged to attend the event, where they will learn a range of skills such as developing a business plan, finance, management, software development and design. Birmingham Science Park Aston is providing all of the facilities free of charge to keep the cost of attending as low as possible at £29.95 to cover the whole weekend.
Unlike hack days or developer orientated events that have become popular over the past few years, Launch48 fosters a strong mentality to build something sustainable and desirable. A follow-up event held six weeks after the weekend event helps to keep teams working on their ideas, as well as benefit from on-going support from the mentors.
Cecilia, Director of Fashiny.com, a business that was founded at a Launch48 event and then went on to participate in Birmingham Science Park Aston’s Oxygen Accelerator programme, said: “Go to Launch48, speak to as many people as possible, work like crazy, speak to mentors and get their feedback. We still keep in touch with some of our original Launch48 mentors, it was a great way to learn how to start a business. Make the most of it – you can sleep when you are dead!”
The aim of Launch48 is to empower attendees with entrepreneurial skills, shatters preconceptions about what is achievable in a short period of time, introduces like-minded people to one another, and offers people the ability to learn key business skills. Participants leave the event having formed strong relationships and created new business ideas.
Launch48 is being held at Birmingham Science Park Aston because it has one of the largest incubation programmes in the country; Entrepreneurs for the Future (e4f). It offers free support for technology start-up companies, providing the opportunity to achieve growth and commercial success through funding support, expert advice and mentoring for six months. Companies taking part in the programme also benefit from office or desk space, alongside access to telephone and internet services.
The e4f incubation scheme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Since launching in November 2009, over 50 companies have been enrolled onto the programme and it has contributed to the creation of over 40 new jobs. Following the launch of e4f’s third phase in 2011, it is now looking for more start-ups to join what is fast becoming the centre of Birmingham’s tech community.
For more information on the e4f programme, or to apply to be part of the scheme please visit www.e4f.co.uk. To purchase tickets for Launch48 please visit http://Birmingham.launch48.com