Innovation Week 2024, brought to you by the University of St Andrews’ Entrepreneurship Centre, was a celebration of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation, bringing together students, staff, alumni, and local community members. The week was packed with engaging activities designed to inspire creativity, foster new ideas, and offer practical guidance for aspiring entrepreneurs. Attendees had opportunities to connect with experienced founders and gain insights into turning their ideas into reality. Through a mix of speaker sessions, interactive workshops, networking events, and competitions, participants immersed themselves in an atmosphere of collaboration and learning. This year’s program also offered unique chances for hands-on learning and direct access to entrepreneurial leaders, making it a highlight on the University’s calendar.
Key events throughout the week included:
- CEO Training Webinar: Led by Bonnie Hacking, Training and Programme Manager at the Entrepreneurship Centre, this session provided practical insights into leadership and business strategy for aspiring CEOs.
- Innovation Week Keynote: Opening keynote on the ‘Opportunity of Resilience’, hosted by Stuart Cassells – Head of Private Client Relationship Management at Macallan.
- Founders Workspace: A dedicated space for participants to develop their business ideas while receiving mentorship and support from the Entrepreneurship Centre team.
- EdenTay Founders Community F*up Night: A unique evening event where three founders from regional universities shared stories of professional setbacks in a fireside chat format. The speakers included Emilio Rimini (CEO and Co-Founder of The Green Company, University of St Andrews), Trias Gkikopoulos (Innovate UK – Robotics & AI, University of Dundee), and Richard Wilson (Legal Director at Blackadders, Abertay University).
- Turning Research into Innovation: A networking and exhibition event that brought together Scotland’s four Innovation Centres, Interface, EoS KTP Centre, and IUK Business Connect to explore how research can translate into market-ready innovations.
- FinTech Interactive Workshop: Hosted by Farshad Nowshadi, VC and Mentor at Level39 London, this workshop offered participants a deep dive into the world of financial technology. This workshop was sponsored by St Andrews alum, Rachel Hanretty.
- Entrepreneurial Quiz: An online quiz that challenged participants’ knowledge and creativity in a fun and engaging format, providing an opportunity for friendly competition and learning.
- Startup Tactics with Paul Cheek: Paul is the Executive Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship. Paul led this integrative session sharing strategic advice from his experience and latest book – Disciplined Entrepreneurship: Startup Tactics. Hosted in collaboration with the University of St Andrews Business School.
- Live Podcast: Featured University of St Andrews alumnus Harry Bremner, Founder and CEO of Tuggs and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. He discussed his entrepreneurial journey in the retail and e-commerce space, offering insights into the challenges and successes of building a brand.
The week began with a compelling opening keynote at The Byre Theatre on Monday, October 7th. Dr. Gosia Mitka, Vice-Dean of Engagement, Partnerships, and Social Responsibility at the University of St Andrews Business School, set the tone for the week by highlighting the University’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial education and growth. She introduced Stuart Cassells, the keynote speaker, who is both the founder of the world-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Head of Private Client Relationship Management at Macallan. In his address, Stuart shared his journey of overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the entrepreneurial process. His talk left attendees inspired to dream bigger and pursue their goals with renewed determination, setting a motivational tone for the week’s activities.
Overall, Innovation Week 2024 successfully created a space for aspiring entrepreneurs to learn, network, and find inspiration. It reinforced the University’s role as a hub for entrepreneurial thinking, fostering a spirit of innovation that will continue to thrive beyond the week’s events.
If you’d like to get involved in next years’ Innovation Week or the Entrepreneurship Centre’s community, please get in touch with the team.