Exeter entrepreneurs and innovators attend Start-up Day workshops at Exeter Library
Almost 100 Exeter-based entrepreneurs and innovators attended Exeter Library’s Start-up Day on 21st September.
The exceptional line-up of speakers and creative workshops were full of information and advice to help people kick-start their business ideas, and attracted crowds from across the city to hear more about the secrets to start-up success.
Sponsored by Exeter City Council and run by Libraries Unlimited, Start-up Day was designed to motivate budding business minds, and help them turn their ideas into a reality, whilst providing the opportunity for like-minded people to mingle and network.
The event at Exeter Library, part of a national initiative run by the British Library Business and Intellectual Property (IP) Centre, was the first to take place in the city.The Library held a total of 14 events throughout the day, with 272 bookings in total. Attendees heard from a range of speakers including James Court from Natwest Bank, Neil Butler from Companies House, Tom Moore from Stephens Scown, Nick Cooper from Salt Media and Jonathan Alder from McQueenie Mullholland.
Sessions covered topics ranging from social media and public relations strategies, to book keeping, design and marketing. Also on offer were creative workshops on 2D and 3D design with Exeter Library’s FabLab Devon.
Ciara Eastell, Chief Executive of Libraries Unlimited, the charity responsible for running Devon Libraries, said: “Start-up Day was designed to give people real ideas and inspiration to start their own successful company. We saw a wide range of people come through the doors here at Exeter Library, with varying ambitions and business plans. It was enlightening to see so much enthusiasm and energy, and to meet people who are dreaming about starting their own projects within the city.
“We are pleased that, through our partnership with the British Library Business and IP Centre, we are able to offer events such as these. The Business and IP Centre is free to use for anyone looking for business advice or research, and it’s great that we had almost 100 people turn up to hear about what we have to offer, and to gain first-hand experience from local, successful business people. We are also grateful for the support of Exeter City Council, and their continued support for start-ups and entrepreneurs within our city.”
Cllr Rachel Sutton, Lead Councillor for Economy at Exeter City Council said: “Initiatives such as Start-up Day are essential in empowering and inspiring people to follow their dreams and realise their business ambitions. Our city is packed full of innovators, entrepreneurs and creative people, as well as high-profile and successful businesses. Start-up Day allowed us to bring our business community together and encourage conversations between people at all stages of business development. Free events such as these are vital to ensure we continue to nurture and encourage innovation and creativity, and remain at the forefront of the growing start-up and tech communities across the country.”
There are currently 11 Business and IP Centres across the UK which follow a programme and ethos developed by the Centre at the British Library in London.
The Centres provide support to business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors and are a free resource combining access to free market intelligence, industry reports and face-to-face advice from experts on starting and protecting a business idea.
For more information about Libraries Unlimited, visit www.librariesunlimited.org.uk/ or follow Libraries Unlimited on Twitter @LibrariesUnLtd or Facebook/LibrariesUnlimited
