Make Me An Entrepreneur series

Empower is a six-week programme designed specifically for Female Founders.

This programme will enable women like you to embark on a entrepreneurial journey to discover your values, strengths, creativity and resilience whilst also equipping you with all the knowledge and know-how to start your very own business.

Each week we will learn about different elements of business start-up from real life female founders spanning various industries. We will hear their inspiring stories and the journey they took to get to where they are today.

Each session takes place on a Tuesday from 10am-12.30pm, starting on 23 January 2024.

Programme schedule:

Week 1: 23 January - Purpose: Your why, values, mindset and self-reflection.
Guest speaker: Carla Watkins, Carla Watkins Visual Magic Maker

Week 2: 30 January - Goals and resilience: Setting goals, building resilience, and creating heathy habits.
Guest speakers: Laura Mathias, Diversity and Inclusion Campaigner and Maria Reid, Women in Business Coaching

Week 3: 6 February - Business Models and Market Research: Build a business model, types of market research, and understanding your consumer journey.
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 4: 14 February - Marketing and Branding: Building your brand and understanding your marketing strategy.
Guest speaker: Lala Cogo, Lala Cogo Holistic Photography

Week 5: 20 February - Finance, Growth and Investment: Financial know-how, investment readiness and how to grow and scale your business.
Guest speakers: Janet Joy, The Finance Mode and Kathryn White, Oxford Innovation

Week 6: 27 February - Pitching: Prepare to pitch for funding, explore pitch decks and how to utilise constructive feedback.
Guest speaker: TBC

After completion of all six weeks, participants will have the chance to pitch their business ideas to win a share of £1,000. The pitching event will be held on Tuesday 5 March 2024. You must attend all six sessions to be eligible to pitch for funding.

Please complete the application form to be considered for the programme, without a complete application you will not be eligible to attend the sessions. Spaces are limited to 25 participants, and you will be contacted to inform you of the outcome.

Applications will open November 2023.

Representation matters. But when it comes to starting a company we know there are barriers for ethnic minority business owners.

That's why the Essex Startups Team are delivering a programme aimed at helping to tackle the inequalities that under-represented start-up founders face.

Our BE ME programme is designed to bring together better access to business support and opportunities to pitch for funding.

This six-week programme launches on Wednesday 24 January 2024 from 10am-12.30pm.

Programme schedule:

Week 1: 24 January - Your purpose, goals and resilience
Guest speaker: Kay Kukoyi, The Purposeful Group

Week 2: 31 January - Business models and market research
Guest speaker: Amit Patel, Experience Haus

Week 3: 7 February - Learn How to Brand and Market Your Business
Guest speaker: Babita Devi, bStrategic

Week 4: 14 February - Understand finance, growth and investment
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 5: 21 February - Prototyping and testing
Guest speaker: Amit Patel, Experience Haus

Week 6: 28 February - Preparing to pitch for funding
Guest speaker: TBC

After attendance at all six sessions, participants will be invited to pitch their business ideas to our panel of experts, for a chance to win a share of £1,000. You must attend all six weeks of the programme to be eligible to pitch for funding.

The pitch event will be held on 6 March 2024. More details to be announced closer to the time.

This programme is open to all those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. This includes those from Arab and GRT backgrounds.

Please complete the application form to be considered for the programme, without a complete application you will not be eligible to attend the sessions. Spaces are limited to 25 participants, and you will be contacted to inform you of the outcome.

Applications open November 2023.

To grow a business in today's climate, it's key to be aware of the world you're operating in. This series will the ways you can get the most out of being resourceful in the world right now.

Impact will examine businesses that make the world a better place by recycling, using renewable resources, and giving back to communities in need.

We will consider how you can make your business more ethical, sustainable and demonstrate your value within this ever-changing world.

Each session takes place on a Thursday from 10am-12.30pm, starting on 25 January 2024.

Programme schedule:

Week 1: 25 January - Define Your Values and Understand Your Why
Guest speaker: Anand Mistry, Project Chakra

Week 2: 1 February - Set Ambitious Goals and Form Healthy Habits
Guest speaker: Sanj Sandhu, Wellbeing and Performance Coach

Week 3: 8 February - Building a Social Enterprise
Guest speaker: Anand Mistry, Project Chakra

Week 4: 15 February - Branding yourself and your business, marketing strategies. B Corp.
Guest speaker: Alex Holliman, Climbing Trees

Week 5: 22 February - Understand Finance and Investment in Start-ups
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 6: 29 February - Looking to the future – prepare to pitch
Guest speaker: TBC

After attendance at all six sessions, participants will be invited to pitch their business ideas to our panel of experts, for a chance to win a share of £1,000. You must attend all six weeks of the programme to be eligible to pitch for funding.

The pitch event will be held on 7 March 2024.

Please complete the application form to be considered for the programme, without a complete application you will not be eligible to attend the sessions. Spaces are limited to 25 participants, and you will be contacted to inform you of the outcome.

Applications will open November 2023.

Thrive has been specifically designed for individuals wishing to set-up as a freelancer, lending their skills and talents to businesses on a flexible basis.

We will equip you with the fundamental skills and knowledge to set-up as a sole trader and support you to gain the confidence to promote your services effectively and expand your professional network.

Each session takes place on a Thursday from 1pm-3.30pm, starting on 25 January 2024.

Programme schedule:

Week 1: 25 January - Define Your Values and Understand Your Why
Guest speaker: Matt Dowling, Freelancer Club

Week 2: 1 February - Set Ambitious Goals and Form Healthy Habits
Guest speaker: Sanj Sandhu, Wellbeing and Performance Coach

Week 3: 8 February - Understand Your Customers, Where to Find Them and Networking Knowhow
Guest speaker: Bella Culley, Bella Louise Digital

Week 4: 15 February - Learn How to Brand and Market Yourself as a Freelancer
Guest speaker: Tom Broome, Constellation Marketing

Week 5: 22 February - Understand Business and Personal Finances
Guest speaker: Magdalena Mahdy, University of Essex Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Week 6: 29 February - Envisioning Growth and the Scaling Yourself
Guest speaker: TBC

After attendance at all six sessions, participants will be invited to pitch their business ideas to our panel of experts, for a chance to win a share of £1,000. You must attend all six weeks of the programme to be eligible to pitch for funding.

The pitch event will be held on 7 March 2024.

Please complete the application form to be considered for the programme, without a complete application you will not be eligible to attend the sessions. Spaces are limited to 25 participants, and you will be contacted to inform you of the outcome.

Applications will open in November 2023.

This six-week programme dives into the fast-paced and continuously-evolving world of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science/analytics, giving you the knowledge and know-how to develop the next generation of smart start-ups.

Each week you will hear from different experts, and founders from data-based businesses, whilst learning the critical elements of what it takes to start your small business and keep it on the right track.

Each session takes place on a Friday from 10am-12.30pm, starting on 26 January 2024.

Programme Schedule

Week 1: 26 January - Developing a Purposeful Data-Driven Start-up Business
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 2: 2 February – Staying Focused and Developing Business Habits
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 3: 9 February - Business Models, Market Research, Consumer Journey
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 4: 16 February - Developing Your Ideal Customer Profile
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 5: 23 February - Marketing and Branding
Guest speaker: TBC

Week 6: 1 March - Business Finances, Investment, and How to Pitch for Funding
Guest speaker: TBC

After attendance at all six sessions, participants will be invited to pitch their business ideas to our panel of experts, for a chance to win a share of £1,000. You must attend all six weeks of the programme to be eligible to pitch for funding.

The pitching event will be held on Friday 8 March.

Please complete the application form to be considered for the programme, without a complete application you will not be eligible to attend the sessions. Spaces are limited to 25 participants, and you will be contacted to inform you of the outcome.

Applications open November 2023.