The Future is Here: The UltraViolet entrepreneurship summer course 2016

UV Summer CourseBy Chris Sylvester, Enterprise Ambassador

So, last week I was given the opportunity to help out at this year’s UltraViolet entrepreneurship summer course, an intensive week-long event hosted by beepurple, designed to help those who wish to start-up or enhance their own business. This course is delivered through guest speaker presentations, a group fundraising challenge, and an elevator pitch competition. Guest speakers included: Max St. John, Founder of Wild Things; Deana Ward, Director at Fresh Ambition; and successful beepurpler Maria Fox, Founder of Maria Allen Boutique. Each speaker is extremely successful in their own field, and all were happy to share their expertise with our eager delegates – even remaining after the sessions were over to have one-on-one discussions.

What impressed me the most were the attitudes of those who attended the week-long course. The days were long and packed full of content, yet spirits remained positive and friendly throughout, with delegates constantly giving our guest speakers their undivided attention. After a few awkward initial ice breakers, the group of delegates quickly became a like-minded community, spending the first afternoon passionately sharing their business ideas with each other, and offering advice wherever they could. This only developed as the week progressed, and by Friday afternoon, the group had managed to collectively raise a staggering £618 to be donated to the Student Mental Health Society, as part of the UltraViolet’s Charity Challenge!

Throughout the week, I couldn’t help but feel I was being given insights into what the future holds. With so many amazing ideas being shared amongst the group, it was difficult to imagine some of them not becoming a reality. This feeling was strengthened upon hearing Maria Fox’s presentation, who told of how she first began by accessing support from beepurple, before going on to run her own successful business. I actually felt privileged in the knowledge that when the ideas of this year’s delegates become reality, I can say I was there to witness their humble beginnings. With many of the delegates stating that the UltraViolet course has provided them with the knowledge and confidence required to move their ideas forward, this seems like an actual possibility.

Don’t just take their word for it! Find out for yourself. If you are looking to start up your own business, or already have one but need some additional support, follow this link to find out what beepurple can do for you: http://about.brighton.ac.uk/careers/enterprise/.

All that is left to say is thank you to all of the guest speakers who may be reading this, and good luck to all the delegates… I’m sure I will be hearing more about your ventures in the future!

Clare Griffiths • 24/06/2016


Previous Post

Next Post

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published / Required fields are marked *

Skip to toolbar