The Building innovative brands for start-ups workshop next Thursday (May 14th; 8-10am at St John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS - please note it is not at the usual venue of the Hauser Forum), will explore the concept of building a brand and explain how critical it can be to the launch of a successful innovation business. You will also learn how you can start to build a compelling brand story with a strong emotional connection for your customers and users.
The speaker is Neil Gridley, a design and innovation specialist currently working with clients such as Philips, Electrolux, 3M and the Design Council. He also consults for Viadynamics, a London-based innovation consultancy, for international blue chip clients such as Unilever, Abbott Nutrition, Mars and GSK.
As a Design Associate for the Design Council he delivers coaching and support to help SMEs, high tech start-ups and university technology transfer teams to use design as a strategic tool for growth. Trained as an industrial designer, he speaks on the transformative power of design and has been featured in a number of publications and newspaper articles and the BBC.
Neil recently co-authored Brand Romance - harnessing the power of design to build an emotional connection with your audience.
The Crowdfunding and alternative finance event on Thursday May 21st (8-10am and again at St John's Innovation Centre, Cowley Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WS) considers crowdfunding, which is becoming more and more popular. But how does it work? And what other options are there to finance your business?
In the past, a new business or idea would be funded by asking a small number of people for a large amount of money. Crowdfunding is a relatively new way of raising finance for a business or project by asking a large number of people each for a small (or varying) amounts of money. But are there different types of crowdfunding and how does each one work? What other options are there for financing a new business or idea if you can’t or don’t want to go to the banks?
The speakers are:
Beyond Potato Salad – Crowdfunding for Business Finance and Equity
Justin Grainger, CrowdFundMe2 (pictured)
Justin’s talk aims to raise awareness of crowdfunding and share knowledge of the types; how it works for businesses and investors, benefits and tips to access this relatively new source of funding.
Just because the bank says “No” ….
Peter Wood, Foundation East
Peter will explain that being declined by the bank is not the end of the road when looking for finance for your business.
** Please note: both these events are being held at St John's Innovation Centre **
Any Cambridge Network member may attend, with the focus of the meeting being on members with under 50 staff. There is a small charge of £15+VAT for members to attend. This fee is non-refundable for cancellation within five working days of the event.