{"id":5553,"date":"2020-06-01T12:54:24","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T12:54:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/?p=5553"},"modified":"2020-06-01T12:54:28","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T12:54:28","slug":"kick-starting-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.reading.ac.uk\/connected\/2020\/06\/01\/kick-starting-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Kick-Starting Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It’s no secret that businesses have been impacted by COVID-19. To help overcome such challenges, the Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship is expanding its Business Clinic and running a virtual boot camp for budding entrepreneurs. <\/span><\/p>\n

COVID-19 has created many challenges for businesses, with the economy in recession and business leaders needing to adapt to new work styles, technologies and strategies. However, these challenges are creating new opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs, looking to find solutions and help change the world with their innovative business ideas.<\/p>\n

CONNECTED speaks to the Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship<\/a> (HCfE), the University of Reading’s hub for start-up businesses, about how they support aspiring entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n

The Business Idea and Start-Up Clinic<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Business Idea and Start-Up Clinic<\/a>, founded in 2014, is open to all current students or alumni of Henley Business School and the University of Reading, worldwide.<\/p>\n

The Clinic’s aim is to help students and alumni who have a business idea or a start-up business, to take it to the next level. If you have an idea for a business, or have recently started a new business, signing up for an appointment at the Clinic will give you the chance to discuss your idea and receive one-to-one advice from a business expert.<\/p>\n

The appointment is completely free and in half an hour will cover key points, such as the best way to commercialise your idea. You will also receive guidance on how to get involved with other HCfE initiatives like IDEAFEST Competition<\/a>, Summer Start-up Boot Camp<\/a>, Start-up Visa Endorsement<\/a> and even pitch to the Henley Business Angels<\/a>, which is a network of experienced business leaders, successful entrepreneurs and investors.<\/p>\n

\"\"Jurek Sikorski, Executive Director at HCfE, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the Henley Centre for Entrepreneurship we are committed to supporting our students and alumni, and have a successful history of giving advice on starting and growing businesses to those based in the UK and overseas.<\/p>\n

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“We are delighted to bring the Business Clinic to all University of Reading and Henley Business School alumni and welcome enquiries for support. We hope more alumni will take advantage of the Business Clinic and realise their ambition to launch or grow their businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Success stories<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Clinic has helped more than 200 students and alumni so far, and most recently has been delivering mentoring sessions to students and alumni based in countries as widespread as China, Columbia, France, Germany and the US.<\/p>\n

Some of the students and alumni who have benefitted from the Clinic\u2019s support, told CONNECTED about their experience.<\/p>\n

Charles Domician, Agricultural, Environmental and Food Economics PhD student, said:<\/p>\n

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“The Clinic gave me the confidence to approach potential customers in order to sell my business idea before deciding on more resource investments.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Hetianbo Chen, MSc Investment Management alumni and founder of UNIK, said:<\/p>\n

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“I worked on UNIK until my master’s degree and studied at the University of Reading. I’m very grateful for the HCfE team, especially Jurek, who has supported me a lot on the completion of my business plan and helped me to achieve it practically.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Book an appointment<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The Clinic is held on Wednesdays and to book an appointment please provide the following:<\/p>\n