The Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship (BCfE) was delighted to host 60 pupils from King's Leadership Academy Hawthornes, Dingle, Liverpool Life Sciences UTC, and the Studio School, Baltic Triangle for its latest Liverpool Venture Crawl on Tuesday 8 July.
The Liverpool Venture Crawl offers pupils interested in entrepreneurship the opportunity to be immersed in the Liverpool entrepreneurship eco-system; to learn about different types of entrepreneurship and to hear from local organisations and entrepreneurs to understand what advice, support and networking opportunities are available to those starting up a business in the Liverpool City Region (LCR).
The Liverpool Venture Crawl is part of the Enterprise Education in Secondary Schools programme, a practical, enterprise education initiative launched and run by Richard Leighton, Entrepreneur in Residence at the BCfE.
It is designed to help equip school-aged children between the ages of 11-18 with the skills required to thrive in the world of work, higher education or setting up their own future business.
The day started with a focus on tech entrepreneurship, with pupils travelling to Central Tech in the Knowledge Quarter, which is a hub for world-leading innovation enterprises.
Representatives from the innovation and venture capital agency LYVA Labs spoke about entrepreneurship in the high-tech innovation space and the ways they assist early-stage businesses with tailored programmes and the opportunity to secure grant funding and investment.
This was followed by a visit to the Cotton Exchange for a finance-inspired entrepreneurship and networking session. Pupils met with Lynsey Barnes, Investment Manager from LCR Finance Hub, Jeff Cummins, Investment Manager from River Capital and Leon McCowan, Membership Engagement Manager from Professional Liverpool.
Each in turn spoke about the role their organisations play in the local ecosystem, providing a range of support services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Liverpool City Region, ranging from access to financial support, flexible funding solutions, and a professional networking community.
The mid-way part of the day focused on social entrepreneurship with pupils enjoying lunch at Yamama, hosted by owners and sisters Futoon Qusairy and Noura Qusairy. Originally from Jordan, they spoke about the background to setting up Yamama, which is an artistic business that supports refugees in Liverpool and provides a creative outlet for them.
They explained how they work with artisans to produce sustainable fashion and art, but have now turned their attention to include food and drink with the opening of the café, which also serves to host refugees' creative endeavours.
Whilst at Yamama over lunch, pupils were inspired to hear from an organisation that invests in social enterprises in the region.
Andrew Beattie, Engagement & Impact Lead from Kindred, talked about their connection with Yamama and how they support other socially-trading organisations with a variety of initiatives designed to strengthen and diversify the social economy with partnerships that support women, young people and those committed to local area regeneration.
The group was then welcomed to Liverpool Central Library to hear from three Liverpool City Council-backed business services that offer entrepreneurs comprehensive support at every stage of business growth.
Pupils heard from Jacqueline Daley, Business Consultant at Liverpool Business Support Service whose organisation has helped over 150 entrepreneurs to date with setting up ventures in technology, the creative arts, fitness, hospitality, and professional services; Richard Horrocks, Specialist Officer at the Business and IP Centre Liverpool, which offers advice and resources on business and IP protection; and Gary Millar, founder of/Entrepreneur in Residence at the Entrepreneur in Business Residence clinic which is a free drop in clinic for entrepreneurs to talk to qualified professionals who offer practical and friendly advice on a wide range of topics.
The final stop of the day was at the University of Liverpool's Sir Peter Rigby Centre for Enterprise, with Benjamin Dalton, the University's Start-up and Entrepreneurship Project Officer, welcoming the group.
The aim was to provide the pupils with not only an introduction to what business support, advice and mentorship services are available to the University of Liverpool community, but also for the pupils to leave feeling inspired as to what the possibilities of life could look like as a student on campus and for a career beyond school or university.
As the day drew to a close, pupils had the opportunity to be involved in an all-female entrepreneurs podcast recording at the Centre with guests Adele Hollywood, Founder/Director of Unity Lives, Joanne Wormald from Select Training CIC and Carmel Dickinson from Worthy Consultancy.
The pupils had the chance to ask the entrepreneurs detailed questions on their businesses, which demonstrated an early appreciation of the challenges and opportunities of business ownership.
The pupils did themselves and their schools proud as they sparked interest from the speakers, who were very impressed by their energy and curiosity.
Commenting on the event, a representative from Professional Liverpool said," Fantastic to see the next generation of entrepreneurs getting inspired at Venture Crawl Liverpool....they all showed real enthusiasm for entrepreneurship and innovation. It's always brilliant to see future leaders and innovators of our region actively engaging in conversations about business and enterprise."
About the Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship
The Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship is a connected hub of excellence for people and organisations interested in entrepreneurship research, theory, policy and practice.