Newsletter

Spring 2010

Welcome Student Placements for

Entrepreneurs in Education (SPEEd)
to the first newsletter of the Institute of Applied 29 new SPEEd WM
Entrepreneurship. We are the home for all students commenced
enterprise and entrepreneurship activities at their 12 months
Coventry University. placements in
January 2010. The
The Institute offers the region and its students, first event kicked off
graduates and staff a broad range of with an Induction Day
entrepreneurial support and services for every held in The Start Up
level and stage of business start-up and growth. Cafe on main
campus.
The Institute focuses on four core business areas:
education and training; applied research; Several speakers came along to talk about the
entrepreneurship support and creating an workshops and the mentoring process. David
entrepreneurial culture. All combine to provide a Wick spoke to the SPEEd(ers) about the
unique range of programmes and activities; benefit of networking and held a mini
leading the way in entrepreneurship, enterprise networking exercise, which was enjoyed by all.
and innovation.

SPEEd WM offers:
 ackage of support Worth
 package of support worth up to £4,200 to
help you start your business
 practical business training workshops
Coventry Wins  a business address on Coventry
Enterprising University Techno Centre
University of the year!  access to a hot desk for 12 months
 mentoring and advice
Coventry University was  networking opportunities
awarded the title of  signposting to other sources of funding
“Midlands Enterprising and advice
University of the year” at the
Midlands Business Awards SPEEd WM is open to any EU citizen who is a
2010.The award was registered full-time or part-time student at
Coventry University and can prove that the
presented to Dr. Gideon Maas, Co-Director of the
programme can be successfully undertaken in
Institute of Applied Entrepreneurship. He
parallel with academic studies. If you would like
commented:
to more then contact: Sue Heath, Institute of
“Coventry University is an example of how Applied Entrepreneurship, Coventry University
entrepreneurship related activities are integrated Enterprises Ltd, Puma Way, Coventry, CV1 2TT.
within education, applied research, and business Email: sheath@cad.coventry.ac.uk. Tel: 07974
support. That helps to create an entrepreneurial 984 339 or 02476 236001
culture within students and staff members and the
community at large. It’s great that this has now
been recognised within the region.”
Graduate Profile
Peter Smith was a second year Graphic Design
student when he explored the idea of starting his
own business and approached the IAE for initial
advice. Following one-2-one guidance, Peter
began to formulate his business idea more fully.
He joined the Students in Business Society (SIB)
to build his student network and in addition to
workshops Peter accessed representatives from
the Institute of Directors, receiving guidance on
copyright and establishing a unique selling point,
plus tips on marketing and pitching.
Peter successfully secured a place on the SPEEd,
following business support from a dedicated
Mentor and much needed funding, he got his
website up and running, registered his business
and is just approaching the end of the 12 month
placement, he reflects on the most useful aspects
of the programme; " the support has helped me in
a number of ways, but in particular advice on
securing my trademark and preparing the
business for future opportunities to trade in 27
European countries is great progress". Before
graduating last November, he became the founder
of Kartina, a company that transforms ideas into
visuals, specialising in bespoke visual projections,
displays and installations and provides a range of
design services for corporate identity, branding,
web and multimedia. For more information on
Kartina visit www.kartina.co.uk
Need business support?
If you are a student or graduate, starting a
business or already trading, you may be eligible
for one of our current support programmes, for
more information contact us on 02476 236001.
Coventry offers entrepreneurship
support to South African University
Coventry University has joined forces with the
Centre for Applied Entrepreneurship at the USB-
ED, a division of the University of Stellenbosch
Business School to address the real need of
developing entrepreneurs in rural areas of South
Africa. Coventry is positioning itself as a global
university and has projects in other parts of the
world including South Africa. Gideon Maas, Co-
Director: Institute of Applied Entrepreneurship at
Coventry University said:
“South Africa is experiencing high levels of
unemployment (currently 24.5%) and poverty,
especially in its rural areas. This problem is
worsened because people from rural areas are
migrating to cities in search for a better life. As a
result, this is causing serious disruption of the
socio-economic well-being of people in both the
rural areas and cities.”
News In Brief
"Enterprise In Action" - Team Award
If you are in a team of staff that, during the last
year, has; found a more efficient way of doing
something, created a new enterprise, researched
and applied an innovative approach, or
undertaken any team project with a defined
outcome that is making a difference, big or small,
then email a brief description by Friday, 30
April 2010 to Ldrummond@cad.coventry.ac.uk
The submissions will be used to develop case
studies and to showcase "Enterprise In Action".
In addition, two of the projects will be awarded
£2,500 to help implement their work or take it to
it's next stage.
Twitter - The Institute is on Twitter
@Coventry_IAE. So please follow us for updates
on the Institute and light hearted humor.