High Wycombe: Bucks New University’s Bizfest to inspire budding entrepreneurs

More than 20 events hosted by industry professionals, funding advisers and entrepreneurs will feature during Buckinghamshire New University’s Bizfest 2015 – a month-long festival providing business and enterprise opportunities to students.

The annual event, which is taking place throughout November at the University in Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, will also have talks and activities open to the public, and will begin on Monday November 2 with a personal insight into the world of business from The Apprentice 2014 finalist Bianca Miller.

Lydiah Igweh, student enterprise development and events consultant, said: “Self-employment in the UK is at the highest level since records began and we want to give students, alumni and staff the chance to get creative and be inspired by experts, as well as offer them opportunities to research, develop and fund their own business ideas.”

In addition to The Apprentice star, guest speakers throughout the festival include Isabel Dexter, a columnist for Marie Claire and a number of leading publications, founder of the British Weather Services Jim Dale, creator of Ratchet Clothing and teenage self-made millionaire Dhillan Bhardwaj, and comedian and creator of online brand Hussain’s House, Hussain Manawer.

Igweh added: "With a month-long programme of events, we hope that students, no matter what they are studying, will feel inspired and make the most of the huge array of opportunities available to help them develop their entrepreneurial skills.”

Bizfest 2015 will include 'Pitch to the Ladder', an initiative where students can pitch a business idea to be in with a chance of securing a £30,000 cash investment and mentoring from successful entrepreneur Jim Dale.

A social enterprise crowdfunder competition, launched by The Clare Foundation in partnership with Bucks New University and the UK’s largest crowdfunding platform CrowdFunder, is also offering entrants, both from the University and the surrounding area, the chance to win a share of £10,000. The competition is for new and existing ideas in the county that aim to give back to the community.

Bizfest 2015 is part of a range of support that the University provides to students and graduates to help them develop their ideas. The Enterprise Bucks team offers year-round support through training, advice and start-up funding to help students develop their careers.