South Eastern Regional College Business Innovation and Development Unit recently held its first free 'Business Start-up' seminar for a group of College students. The students who attended had a diverse range of ideas from designing and selling College merchandise to producing travel packs for parents with small children. The three hour seminar covered different aspects of business start-up including, refining a business idea, access to finance and access to support networks.
As part of a consortium delivering the Invest Northern Ireland “Go for It” programme, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) is trying to encourage entrepreneurial students and members of the public to start their own businesses, and provide support to those who already have. The programme is delivered through a range of mediums, including, information seminars, business clinics and mentoring sessions, all of which are free of charge.
The college can offer support to:
1. Individuals who want to know more about starting their own business
2. Individuals or partnerships of individuals who wish to start their own business
3. Existing businesses who have an innovative idea, or simply want to get to the next level
If you have the desire to start your own business but need help to shape you ideas, understand the next steps and put those ideas to work, you are probably an ‘Early Stage Entrepreneur’. As an ‘Early Stage Entrepreneur’, you can attend a Pre Start seminar, providing you with a greater understanding about what is involved.
This is an excellent opportunity to develop your idea, hear from others who have started up in business, ask questions and receive advice on issues you will need to consider before moving ahead.
If you would like to find out when the next Pre Start seminar is being held or get more details about the ‘Go For It’ programme, contact David Greer, on dgreer@serc.ac.uk or 028 9127 6695.