Abstract

How and why do people come into entrepreneurship? For many so-called “accidental entrepreneurs” the driving force may be a particular skill they have that they can’t utilise any other way, or the ability to recognise a gap in the market that they realise needs to be filled, or it might be that their personal circumstances have meant that a “proper job” is out of the question.

Programme:

7:00 Introduction

7:05 Dr Shima Barakat (CfEL) – Themes that have emerged from research into women entrepreneurs

7:20 Panel Discussion chaired by Claire Ruskin – Personal stories from entrepreneurs in the hi-tech and biotech sector who ended up as entrepreneurs “by accident” or not as their initial objective.

8:10 Q&A discussion with panellists

8:40 Event wrap-up

8:45 Informal networking

This event is part of the StartUp Masterclass series and organised in association with Cambridge AWiSE and CfEL. More information on the StartUp Masterclass programme at http://www.cfel.jbs.cam.ac.uk/programmes/startup/index.html

The Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning is working in partnership with the Startup Masterclass programme to support early-stage innovation-based ventures in the East of England. A number of evening seminars are being run in Cambridge, Ipswich and Norwich over the next few months.

The programme aims to foster an inspiring culture and an enabling environment for the creation and growth of ventures. The focus is specifically on early-stage businesses and small SMEs of less than 5 people. It is also for freelancers and individuals who are considering launching their own business venture.