Category: Basecamp Enterprise Team

Reasons why you should apply to the New Enterprise Competition- Development stage

Posted on by Careers Service

The Development stage of the New Enterprise Competition (NEC) is open for applications until next Monday 1 March.

Considering applying for the chance of winning up to £1,000? Here are the top 4 reasons why you should take your ideas to the next level and submit an application:

Funding

The competition awards winners with up to £1,000 to go towards developing your start-up and the prize money can go towards anything. Whether it be developing a prototype, building a website, or purchasing tools and materials – whatever you need to take your ideas and turn them into a reality.

‘’The competition funding will allow our community workshop space to become a reality. We considered running a Crowdfunder, but funding from the NEC takes the pressure off and means that we have enough funds to purchase essential items that will be difficult to Crowdfund for.

We are excited that this funding will mean that all elements of our enterprise can start, and that we can start working towards developing products that can allow us to become financially self-sustaining.’’ – Precious Plastic Herzeele- 2020 winners

Develop your skills

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The New Enterprise Competition- Development stage

Posted on by Careers Service

The world of employment has changed significantly over the last 12 months due to the pandemic. What has felt like months of uncertainty over what the future holds, the prospect of diving into the deep– end and starting your own business might seem daunting.  

However, working for yourself and launching a start-up in 2021 can be a great opportunity. Particularly if your enterprise fills a gap in the market, is well researched and it is something you’re passionate about. 

The New Enterprise Competition – Development stage is now open for applications.  This stage of the competition awards up to £1,000 to 10 start-ups. Funds can be used towards developing student and graduate start-ups. Historically winners have ranged between social enterprises combating food waste, to sustainable clothing businesses and much more. 

We spoke to one of last year’s winners, Fix My Crack- which some of you may know by their previous name Brisfix, to find out what winning this stage in the competition meant to them and how they found the process.  (more…)

New Enterprise Competition- Development stage NOW OPEN!

Posted on by Careers Service

The New Enterprise Competition is run by the Basecamp Enterprise team and awards funding for businesses, social enterprises and charities. It comprises of three stages over the year; the second stage-Development awards start-ups with up to £1,000 to go towards pushing your business to the next level.   

Historically, funding has gone to start-ups who are building a prototype, developing a website and investing in materials and much more.

This year may seem uncertain but certainly comes with lots of possibilities, so why not take that business idea you had over the first lockdown to the next level?!  

Want to find out more? Over the next few weeks we’ll be catching up with last years Development winners.

Precious Plastic Dunkerque

Could you sum up your start-up in a Tweet? 

Precious Plastic Dunkerque is a Social Enterprise being developed to support displaced people in Dunkerque. Using plastic waste collected from informal camps, we will produce new items; to be sold, to support those sleeping rough and to provide community workshops. (more…)

It’s Global Entrepreneurship Week!

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This week, 16 to 20 November marks Global Entrepreneurship Week. The campaign began in 2008 with an emphasis on inspiring young people to make their mark. It has quickly grown into a week which inspires entrepreneurs, students, researchers and more to collaborate and advance economic growth and innovation.

The Basecamp Enterprise team are getting involved by offering a jam-packed week of events where industry experts share top tips, networking opportunities and the launch of Natwest 10k challenge.

Global Entrepreneurship Week

Although there are several events happening across the world this week which focus on business and entrepreneurship, the Basecamp Enterprise team run workshops, events and start-up support all year round to keep you feeling motivated and inspired.

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HYBR- New Enterprise Competition alumni

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As well as coming back to class ready for the new academic year, it’s also a time for moving into new houses and getting to know new housemates. The student rental market has a bad rep, and runners up from last year’s New Enterprise Competition aim to tackle this: Meet HYBR. We spoke with their founder, Hannah to find out what they’ve been up to. 

Describe your business to us in a nutshell.

HYBR is an online marketplace for student accommodation that connects students directly to landlords, cutting out the traditional letting agent. Our mission is to provide an affordable landlord solution and support first-time renters throughout their rental journey. 

Where did the idea of HYBR come from?

University is some of the best years of young adults’ lives and one hugely exciting aspect of this is moving in with friends. My co-founder and I reflected on our positive rental experiences with Airbnb, and we realised renting a house is a part of the excitement of moving away. So why did it need to be a different story with student rentals?   (more…)

The New Enterprise Competition Ideas stage- Now open!

Posted on by Careers Service

The New Enterprise Competition, the University of Bristol’s flagship start-up competition hosted by the Basecamp Enterprise team, is soon to be entering it’s 20th year. 

Comprising  three stages: Ideas, Development and Growth, every year we award £35,000 plus pro-bono support over the stages to support start-up businesses, charities and social enterprises.  

The Ideas stage of the competition is now open for applications! 

via GIPHY

Why apply for the Ideas stage? 

The competition is designed to inspire and encourage you to develop your business and think about your long-term career plans.  

Over the years, applicants’ ventures have varied between sustainable clothing businesses to security software, from apps to enhance mental wellbeing to vegan snacks. Whether you have started to think about a product or service that could solve a problem over the summer, or you have a business venture you have been working on for the last few months, no idea is too small or too big for this stage.  

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The 3 Day Start-up

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Interested in start-ups or aspire to be an entrepreneur while befriending some like minded creatives? 3 Day Start-up is for you! 

What is 3 Day Start-up?

3 Day Startup

3 Day Startup (3DS) was founded by a group of students in 2008 who wanted to make entrepreneurship more accessible for students. Through the years, 3DS have worked with over 16,000 students in 35 countries, across 6 continents, and this year’s programme will be held at the University of Bristol!

Run in partnership between SETSquared and the Basecamp Enterprise team, 3DS is a free 72-hour workshop which teaches entrepreneurial skills to university students in a fun, supportive and hands on environment. Usually run on campus, this year’s programme will run as a virtual learning-by–doing workshop where students from partnership universities; Bristol, Bath, Southampton, Exeter and Surrey work collaboratively to solve ideas and generate credible business ventures. 

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Businesses thriving during COVID-19

Posted on by Careers Service
Photo by Edwin Hooper on Unsplash

Launching or owning a business as we enter a recession may seem like a scary and daunting time. With the media publicising how unemployment rates are rising due to the pandemic, and businesses varying between SME and global giants shutting down or making cuts, we assume that this is a reflection of all businesses in the country.

However, some have thrived using this as an opportunity to pivot their business plans or finally finding their place within the market.

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Top tips for building your networks online

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As we approach five months of limited public gatherings due to the global pandemic, the meaning of ‘meeting new people’ has changed.  Gone are the days of shaking hands, greeting someone has become a virtual exchange with an enthusiastic wave hello and goodbye. 

Even though in-person professional events may not be taking place for some time, there are still lots of opportunities taking place. Despite first impressions, our new digital environment has opened fantastic new opportunities to meet and engage with others from all over the world. Creating that great first impression is just as important online as it is offline, so we’ve put together a list of our top tips on building your network, right from the comfort of your own home. 

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Find work experience for this summer 🌞

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Work experience is any opportunity which gives you experience of work, or the non-academic skills that will prepare you for work. It can be paid or unpaid experience and is not necessarily related to your degree or your future career plans. This can include internships, summer vacation jobs, volunteering, insight events and shadowing as well as self-driven projects. 

Good quality work experience should: 

  • Teach you new skills including professional behaviours. 
  • Highlight which skills you need. 
  • Let you explore a career idea. 
  • Connect you to people you could use as contacts in the future. 
  • Improve your understanding of that sector. 
  • Demonstrate your interest in that sector. 
  • Provide you with a reference. 

We know that many of you have had your summer internships and work experience cancelled or are struggling to find opportunities. 

Here are some ways we’d suggest you look for new opportunities for this summer. 

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