Kent Enterprise Hub Overview of Activities

1. Kent Enterprise Hub Overview of Activities Stephanie Barwick Business Engagement Manager 31st October 2012

2. Background • SEEDA Hub until end of 2009 • In 2010, change into a fully funded University of Kent facility • Students, graduates, staff • Student enterprise activities

3. Achievements since Jan 2010 • 45 student / graduate / staff companies created (97 members of staff, impact on local economy of approx. £3 million) • Over 300 business advice sessions held • Over 200 drop-in sessions held • 12 Kent Enterprise Hub Grants awarded and 4 Business Mentor prizes (£28,000) • 4 Hub companies received private capital investment funding (approx. £300k) • 4 Hub companies relocated to Canterbury Innovation Centre • 1 Hub company (Geneform Technologies) sold at £6million • 1 Hub company (OTI) taken over by Scottish firm, OPTOS • Network of Hub Mentors established • KEH is delivering the largest two business modules for KBS (CB612 ‘Business Planning module’ and CB613 ‘Entrepreneurship’)

4. Details of Hub companies • 50 Hub companies • 20 IT companies • Others – covers all sectors • Total number of employees: over 100 • Kent Enterprise Hub Impact on economy: £3.5million (based on NCGE impact report April 2010)

6. Underpinning activities • Student Enterprise • Employability Skills Development • Academic Engagement

7. Student Enterprise Activities Since Jan 2010 • 32 Networking events held – over 2000 student attendances • 13 Student Competitions – 300 students taking part • 6 Enterprise Courses – 75 students attended • 80 student events run in The Bulb, Canterbury Innovation Centre • New student enterprise society established – SIFE (‘Students in Free Enterprise’) which is part of a global brand

8. Employability Skills Development • Student Innovation Zone – working with academic schools to promote extra curricular activities • Employability Points scheme established – over 2,000 students and 86 employers engaged in 2011/12, over 350 students were awarded a prize • EP scheme showcased by BIS as a best university-busienss collaboration and EP scheme shortlisted in the Times Higher Education Awards 2012 • Working with Unit for Learning Enhancement & Teaching to promote reflective development for students to enhance life skills / employability skills via e-PDP ‘MyFolio’

9. Academic Engagement • Academic Mentor Scheme established to fund early stage ideas development – 6 projects • CB612, CB613 • School of Psychology – Lean Start-up workshops launched • School of Psychology – creation of a new wild entrepreneurship module • EU Interreg IV Seas funding received ‘FUSION’ • Winners of the Barbara Morris Prize of the University of Kent 2011 – outstanding achievement in student support

10. Crossroads • Increased tuition fees in HE – students / clients expecting more for their money • Increased emphasis on student experience and student employability • Government push on private sector job creation • 83 graduate applicants for one job – more and more graduates will consider setting up their own businesses in the future • Emphasis on innovation & high growth potential of start-ups • Let’s build on the success of the Kent Enterprise Hub and maximise its impact

11. Interesting statistics • 60% of entrepreneurs who have set up a business that has closed down are likely to set up another business in the future • 77% of businesses survive after 2 years if founded by graduate(s) • Since 2008 there has been a 46% jump in students considering self-employed • It is predicted that 32% of all UK students will be setting up a business at some point in their lives post university • 28% of highly successful entrepreneurs attribute their success to setting up numerous businesses throughout their teenage/young adult years.