Sustainability YES Competition
Are you concerned about social equity, sustainable economic growth or environmental protection?
Would you like to learn how to turn your research ideas into a profitable business?
Do you want the chance to win £3000?
You must attend all 3 days of the residential course. Please ensure you can commit to this before registering.
Dates: Introductory briefing - Wednesday 28 March 2012
9.30am -12.45pm, Jubilee Campus
followed by:
3 day residential event - Wednesday 25 April to Friday 27 April 2012, the Hilton East Midlands Airport Hotel
Eligibility: Late stage postgraduate research students and early career researchers (within 5 years of obtaining their PhD)
Cost: The competition is free to all University of Nottingham entrants (including meals and accommodation), however a nominal deposit in the form of a cheque for £20 is required to secure your place. Cheques will be returned at registration on the first day of the competition and will only be cashed in the case of non-attendance.
Researchers from other universities
We welcome postgraduates and researchers from other universities to join in, participation is £650 per person. Please email Rachael Pearson for an application form and further information.
Introductory event and 3 day residential course
Wednesday 28 March 2012, 9.30am - 12.45pm and 25 - 27 April 2012
About the Competition
The Sustainability Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (YES) competition is part of a group of Young Entrepreneurs Schemes and focusses on sustainability as a concept that deals with human impact, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The Sustainability YES competition has been developed to raise awareness of the commercialisation of interdisciplinary ideas among postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers.
You will be part of a team that is given the task of developing a virtual business and in the exercise of producing a business plan show that it could work and be successful. You can join as an individual and we will allocate you to a team or you can enter as a pre-formed team (4 or 5 members).
Hear from leading figures from industry and business, and work as a team to put your new knowledge into practice. Through seminars and mentoring, you will learn about aspects of business, including:
-
the requirements of a business plan
-
intellectual property, patenting and copyright
-
raising and managing finance
-
commercial and marketing strategies
-
case histories of spin-out companies and business development
There is a team travel prize of £3,000 for the top business proposal with various other cash prizes, which you are free to spend as you wish.
The competition runs over three days and includes two nights full board at a nearby hotel.
To learn more about this exciting opportunity come along to the information session on 28 March 2012 or visit our pages on previous Sustainability Yes events.
For further information contact:
Rachael Pearson
Researcher Development Manager
Graduate School
University of Nottingham
email: rachael.pearson@nottingham.ac.uk