National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) rallies East of England's student and graduate entrepreneurs

Press release issued: 24 November 2006



Image of people using computers
The Government-supported National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) will host the second of its annual Flying Start Rallies in the East of England at the Newbury Racecourse on the 29 November 2006 from 12 noon until 18.00. Designed to give potential student and graduate entrepreneurs in the region a taste of the entrepreneurial lifestyle and set them on the road to success, the Flying Start Rally is expected to attract up to 200 student and graduate entrepreneurs from the University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University, the University of East Anglia, Cranfield University, University of Essex, the University of Luton, the University of Hertfordshire, the Norwich School of Art and Design and Writtle College.

Attending students will have the opportunity to:

  • pitch their business ideas to entrepreneurs who've 'been there, done that' in a 'speed pitching' session
  • put questions to legal, financial and marketing experts and
  • practice power networking
There will also be interactive sessions covering topics ranging from networking tips to applying for funding, to provide students with the necessary knowledge to take the next step in realising their business dreams.

This Flying Start rally is funded by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and its goal of encouraging more students and graduates to set up their own businesses is also shared and supported by local Business Links in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Herts., The Patent Office, Social Enterprise East of England and Shell LiveWire.


What? NCGE Flying Start Rally - one day interactive conference for budding entrepreneurs organised by the NCGE
When? 12.00 to 18.00, Thursday 29 November 2006
Where? Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket
Who? Students, graduates and faculty members from major universities in the area will be attending, including:
  University of Cambridge
  Anglia Ruskin University
  University of East Anglia
  Cranfield University
  University of Essex
  University of Luton
  University of Hertfordshire
  Norwich School of Art and Design
  Writtle College

All East of England Rally participants will be encouraged to pledge to take the next steps to make their entrepreneurial future a reality. They will become part of the Flying Start online community and support system which will put them in touch with the right people in their university and local area for start-up business information.

Lorna Collins, Director of the NCGE's Flying Start commented:

"As this year's Flying Start programme gathers momentum, we are excited that Flying Start will be arriving in Newmarket this month and look forward to meeting the region's budding entrepreneurs. It is vital we create more opportunities for student and graduate entrepreneurs to meet and be inspired to strike out on their own. Entrepreneurship is a viable and rewarding career option for graduates and Flying Start aims to provide them with the advice and support they need to take the next step on their road to business success."

Richard Ellis, chairman of the East of England Development Agency, said:

"The Flying Start rally will provide a golden opportunity for students and graduate entrepreneurs in the East of England to learn more about the next steps in turning their dreams into reality and providing them with the skills to make their businesses successful. Getting students and graduates in the East of England interested in pursuing entrepreneurship as a career option is critical for the future success of the region's economy, and we are thrilled to be supporting an event which does exactly that."

Dave Morgan, Education and Enterprise Development Manager at The Patent Office, said:

"It is vital that budding entrepreneurs contribute to the innovation and creativity that has come to increasingly characterise the UK's economy. We are glad to be taking part in the Flying Start Programmes so that students and graduate entrepreneurs can be made aware that to gain maximum commercial benefit from their innovation they need to take the necessary steps to use the Intellectual Property system to protect them."

For further information on attending the Flying Start rally:

Interested students and graduates should contact their HEI or the NCGE on 0121 380 3545 or email ellen.jackson@ncge.org.uk to register for the event.
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