Home-grown entrepreneurial talent of the North East

Fronted by the presidents of each of the universities’ enterprise societies, GENESIS 2015 will showcase the home-grown entrepreneurial talent of the North East of England, while offering student and graduate entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from the region’s start-up, professional, financial and business communities.

Amongst those spearheading the event is Noah Knapton, president of Newcastle University’s Entrepreneurs Society; Edd Dutton, president of Northumbria University’s NUOVO; Laura Pritchard, president of University of Sunderland’s Enterprise Society; Abz Dawar, president of Entrepreneurs Durham at Durham University; and Lizzie Dixon, enterprise coordinator at Teesside Launchpad.

Hosted at Gateshead’s BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art during Global Entrepreneurship Week on Wednesday 18 November 2015 from 9am to 4:30pm, GENESIS 2015 will coincide with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s ‘If We Can, You Can’ Challenge final, also at the BALTIC, to champion enterprise, entrepreneurship and job creation.

Graduate success stories

With 700 delegates expected over the course of the day, the event will offer a series of workshops, one-on-one advice surgeries and networking opportunities as well as an Investors Panel.

Guest speakers offering guidance to entrepreneurs will include graduate success stories such as Brett Jacobson from Media Works; Tareq Nseir, founder of Think; and Tony Cleary from the Lanchester Group. The InCredAbles – what if? movement will be launched by Roy Sandbach from the North East LEP; while Nevil Tynemouth from New Results Training will run the networking; and financial input will come from Andy Fishburn, head of investment at Virgin Start-up; Santander and the North East investment community. 

First Face to Face’s managing director, Charlotte Windebank, who is supporting the organisation of the event, said: “Over the last three years graduate entrepreneurs have made a crucial contribution to the economy, creating 1,500 jobs, 450 businesses and £64million in turnover and it is vital that as a region we continue to encourage and nurture the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

“Since the launch of the ‘If We Can, You Can’ challenge, we have been overwhelmed by its success, so it seemed fitting to combine this year’s final with Genesis 2015 to create a truly innovative event celebrating entrepreneurship powered by the North East’s five universities.

Noah Knapton, president of Newcastle University’s Entrepreneurs Society: added: “It has been a pleasure to be involved with Genesis 2015 and developing the website with Edd who developed our excellent brand.  Working with the other enterprise societies in the region has been really rewarding and has given us a great connection with the vast North East business community! The event will be invaluable to our members as it will help them develop vital skills and connections no matter what stage they are at in business.  I hope that in the future we will be able to work on many more events like this.”

Sponsors of the event include Ebac, Tedco and Virgin Start-Up, Santander, Gateshead Council, NELEP, Tees Valley Unlimited, North East Finance, Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Giving Origin, O PR, First Face to Face Ltd and Gospelware.

Edd Dutton, founder of Giving Origin and Northumbria University’s NUOVO enterprise society, added: “The power of networking with your stakeholders at any stage of business is so vital in success. Entrepreneurs should always feel integral. They should believe in what they are doing and showcase not just their ideas but vision - GENESIS has fully supported that from conception. Giving Origin is pleasured to work with the GENESIS team in forming and curating the brand.”

Visit the GENESIS 2015 website for more information and to book your free tickets.

Press release adapted with thanks to GENESIS 2015.