Prime Minister David Cameron has announced the launch of 'Start
up Britain' - a campaign aimed at helping new entrepreneurs. And,
here in Nottingham, BioCity is set to help twenty seven of them
carve an entrepreneurial career in the exciting world of
bioscience.
Next week, delegates will get the chance to taste life in the
bioscience fast lane as they take part in this year's BioCity Boot
Camp. Now in its fifth year, the packed three-day programme has an
international reputation for delivering expert guidance and advice
to those hoping for success in the bioscience sector.
The Boot Camp, (formerly known as the Bio-entrepreneur School)
is delivered by seasoned entrepreneurs and business professionals
and proffers commercial wisdom to those who have traditionally been
more at home in a scientific environment. Delegates will be
taken through an intense three-day programme which includes
practical exercises, case studies, lively discussion, networking,
mentoring and presentations and culminates in a 'Dragon's Den'
style pitch to a panel of industry experts.
Delegate Jenny Walsh is currently leading a team of scientists
in product development at AstraZeneca but is facing redundancy
following the closure announcement of the Charnwood site. She said:
"I was considering my options and came across a notice for the Boot
Camp on our intranet. I'm considering going into consultancy in the
field of paediatric development and the Boot Camp agenda seems a
perfect introduction to the many aspects of launching a successful
business. "
Jenny, who lives in Nottingham, added: "I'm really looking
forward to speaking to, and learning from, experts in the industry
and networking with other likeminded people. I've always thought it
important to make the most of every opportunity and feedback from
previous delegates convinced me that the Boot Camp is not to be
missed."
BioCity Incubation Manager, Dr Nick Gostick says, "The feedback
we've had from delegates has always been very positive. The Boot
Camp has helped many budding entrepreneurs focus on their goals and
develop a business mind-set that has been invaluable as they've set
out on their road to future success."
A second delegate hoping to take a new direction is Scot Ramsay
from Bishop Stortford in Hertfordshire. After gaining a degree in
molecular biology and spending three years working in a research
laboratory, Scot retrained as a chartered accountant and had built
a successful career in the financial services sector before being
made redundant earlier this year.
"I'd been considering returning to the bioscience sector for a
while, using the entrepreneurial skills I've gained in the
financial services industry to pick up innovative ideas coming out
of universities and taking them through to commercial success." he
said. "I have lots of experience in raising capital, working with
banks and equity houses so this seemed a sensible next step.
"When I spotted the details of the BioCity Boot Camp on LinkedIn
it seemed an ideal, perfectly timed opportunity that I couldn't
afford to miss."
William Drewe, a researcher at Nottingham University's School of
Chemistry, is looking forward to the challenge and says he's
particularly interested in Intellectual Property (IP) Law. William,
who has a degree in biochemistry and biological chemistry and a PhD
in organic chemistry, said: "I heard about the Boot Camp on the
university intranet and thought it would be a great step to help me
get out of the lab and into the business side of science. I'm
currently working on a bio-imaging project that is in the process
of being commercialised. I'm involved very much on the research
side and, although I do have some experience of the
commercialisation process through my PhD and Post-Doctoral work, I
would like to gain a deeper understanding of how it works.
William and his fellow delegates will benefit from the wisdom of
Steve Jones of Nottingham patent and trademark experts and Boot
Camp sponsor AdamsonJones who will take them through an IP workshop
on day two which will cover patents, confidentiality and other
forms of IP.
He added: "I'm hoping to establish my own company in the
future and qualify as a patent attorney in the coming years so I'm
sure aspects of the Boot Camp will be directly relevant in helping
me to achieve this."
As he launched 'Start up Britain' Prime Minister David Cameron
said: "If you've been turning over a good idea for years, now is
the time to make something of it. If you're working for a big firm
but know you could do a better job on your own, now is the time to
make the leap. If you're dreaming about starting up the next great
British brand, now is the time to make it happen."
Dr Nick Gostick comments: "This is exactly what BioCity Boot
Camp is all about. The aim is to develop delegates' business skills
and give them the confidence they will need to succeed in this
rapidly changing sector. We also encourage delegates to remain in
contact with BioCity as their ideas develop. They can benefit from
one-to-one clinics, laboratory and office space, virtual tenancy
and even vital start-up funding provided by the Mobius Life
Sciences Fund."
Sponsorship support for this year's Boot Camp comes from
AstraZeneca, PERA and AdamsonJones .
Louise Reynolds, Global HR Business Partner and Charnwood HR
Director at AstraZeneca, said: "AstraZeneca are very proud to
sponsor the BioCity Boot Camp again. The sponsorship is part of a
programme of events we are involved with that demonstrates a
commitment to science and innovation in the region whilst enabling
our employees to explore new ventures. AstraZeneca is committed to
preparing and supporting our employees in finding
opportunities."
For more information, visit http://bootcamp.biocity.co.uk/