Delegates will hear from speakers who have either achieved entrepreneurial success or are helping businesses to succeed generally and specifically in the growing Space Sector. The speakers will highlight the challenges they overcame as they built their business, including learning from their mistakes, and support providers will provide practical advice on grant funding and tips on the entry points into the sector either to develop innovative product or service or starting a new business.
Entrepreneurial success will be vital for the economic future of Leicestershire. By learning from the mistakes and positive decisions of successful entrepreneurs, we will all be in a better position to promote and contribute to this success.
We will hear from a local successful company, EarthSense Systems, who are using air quality data from Earth Observation and from Ben Gardner of Navitas, who has successfully fund raised £0.75m for company growth.
Target audience: The event is aimed at both entrepreneurs, together with business professionals who provide advice and assistance to entrepreneurs, including innovation, finance, legal and accountancy services.
Programme:
08:00 - Registration and networking (tea, coffee and breakfast butties served)
08:20 - Welcome (LBV)
08:25 - Start-up support from Leicester Start-up Accelerator and the UKSA (UK Space Agency) Business Incubation programme, Rajinder Bhuhi, Business Manager, Leicester Innovation Hub, part-funded by European Regional Development Fund
08:45 - EarthSense Systems Ltd: a successful local SME’s journey in Space Sector – Roland Leigh, EarthSense
09:00 - Successful fundraising for young entrepreneur in digital food safety with £0.75million raised to fund growth, Ben Gardner, Navitas
09.15 - Support available for industry interested in working the growing Space Sector in Leicester and Leicestershire - Stephen Wright, Business Development Manager, East Midlands Centre of Excellence in Satellite Applications
09:30 - Q&A
09:40 - Event wrap up/close
Speakers
Ben Gardner | CEO Navitas Group
Ben is the CEO of the Navitas Group and is the driving force behind the organisation. His business acumen, Health & Safety knowledge and creative flair have brought the Group to its current position of strength. Ben is a true entrepreneur and has been pivotal in ensuring that the Navitas Group is able to provide a comprehensive Food Safety and Health & Safety eco-system, which is now used throughout not only Europe, but the world. Navitas has recently attracted investment from the Foresight Private Equity Group, attracted by the excellent growth prospects for the Group
Rajinder Bhuhi | Business Manager Leicester Innovation Hub | University of Leicester
Leading and managing the delivery of innovation growth programme and incubation support from the University through the Leicester Innovation Hub (part-funded by European Regional Development Fund). With the focus of developing collaborative relationships with businesses and delivery partners to enable SMEs and new business start-ups in their growth ambitions through innovation development new products, services and processes.
Prof Roland Leigh| Technical Director EarthSense Systems Ltd
Prof. Roland Leigh is the Technical Director of air quality company EarthSense Systems Ltd, having overseen the spin-out of this company from the University of Leicester in 2016. Roland is also Chief Executive of the East Midlands Centre of Excellence for the Satellite Applications Catapult, with a number of programmes currently running to encourage the use of space-enabled data in innovative commercial environments
Dr Stephen Wright| Business Development Manager for East Midlands Satellite Centre of Excellence
Dr Stephen Wright is the Business Development Manager for the East Midlands Satellite Centre of Excellence (EMCoE). In this role he helps businesses recognise and realise opportunities in the Space Sector
Previously he has set up a consulting practice for Deloitte in LA, turned around an international aerospace company, had his own consulting practice supporting mission critical projects for silicon valley companies, managed business start-ups and new concept development for an angel fund, and managed the National Cyber Skills Centre.