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 HERE IS THE LATEST NEWS FROM

THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP!

GRUB'S UP EXPANDS

A social enterprise which had a vision for expansion as part of the Entrepreneur's Bootcamp scheme has launched a new training centre.  The Grub's Up Catering Crew, based at the Wolseley Trust Business Park, in Ford, has taken over an additional unit which will be used as a training centre for disadvantaged young people, particularly care leavers.

The idea is that it teaches young people catering skills and encourages healthy eating.

Full Story by Liz Parks, Herald Business Editor, 19 February 2008.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ GRADUATE MOO-VING UP IN THE WORLD

A Plymouth businessman has teamed up with a graduate of last year's Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp event to help him develop his firm's cutting-edge media work with schools. The Estover-based Una Group is take an equity stake in Moo Fu, a business set up by Nick Palfrey.

Nick took part in last year's Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp, where business hopefuls were given the chance to gain experience and skills by immersing themselves in a series of mental and physical challenges as well as getting support from a panel of experts. Nick said the bootcamp experience had had a major effect on the evolution of his fledgling business.  "I think my personal development and the way I look at things has changed," he said. "Bootcamp gave me the vision for where I want to be and what I want to do. It's given me the power to think in the long term."  To learn more about his business, go to Moo-Fu website.

Full Story by Liz Parks, Herald Business Editor, 29 January 2008.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ GRADUATE LAUNCHES NEW PRODUCT

Now Gary is really boxing clever!  Gary Furzeland, a graduate of the grueling Entrepreneur's Bootcamp experience has launched a new product for the document management business he works for.

Gary is the Company Relations Manager for Ivybridge-based SWM Document Management and is now working on the Scan-a-Box product, which he plans to launch later in January 2008. The idea of Scan-a-Box is that companies can identify key documents and have them electronically scanned so that in the event of a fire or flood or other disaster, they can access the electronic copies and resume normal business.  For further details about SWM Document Management and the latest news on Gary's idea, go to the SWM website.

Gary was one of 11 up-and-coming businessmen and women who were selected to take part in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp event last year.

Full Story by Liz Parks, Herald Business Editor, 8 January 2008.

PLANNING FOR NEXT ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ UNDERWAY!

2008 will reveal the full details of the next Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ which is due to take place in the spring of 2009.  Sue Windley, co-designer of the 2007 pilot Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ explained: "We will start the publicity for the next full Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ after March 2008 which is when the current participants will be completing their 12-month commitment.  What we have learnt from the pilot is that the best approach to ensure the optimum support for would-be entrepreneurs is to make the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ a bi-annual event.  Therefore we are aiming for the competition and 5-Day Bootcamp to take place in spring 2009, which means we will be using all of 2008 to get all the logistics sorted.  Key to this is confirming the sponsors who will support the new batch of Bootcampers.  Plus there will be plenty of publicity to explain exactly what will be happening and when!".

Come back to our Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ News pages to see the latest updates or send us your contact details to info@entrepreneursbootcamp.co.uk - we will register your interest and e-mail you the latest news as it happens.

UPSTARTS CLUB LINKS UP WITH THE LAST FRIDAY CLUB!

The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is delighted to announce a link up of our Upstarts Club with Cultivate Marketing's Last Friday Club for 2008 to provide a regular meeting place for entrepreneurs in the south west.

The Upstarts Club evolved out of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ as a means to introduce more would-be entrepreneurs to established success stories.  As Sue Windley, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ explained: "Being part of the Upstarts Club is about a "state of mind".  For example, how would you react to being told that you can't do something or that your idea won't work?  Members of the Upstarts Club are entrepreneurs who don't accept no for an answer, but are prepared to share ideas with other entrepreneurs to ensure success.  This is why we are particularly pleased to be supported by the Last Friday Club to give us a regular opportunity to meet and develop even more entrepreneurial contacts!"

The Last Friday Club is Devon and Cornwall's most relaxed and informal series of networking lunches, for new enterprises or established business leaders.  It is renown for being the network to make the professional introductions and develop the commercial relationships that organisations require.  Currently taking place in Truro, Plymouth and Exeter (with more clubs opening in 2008), each location has its own unique ambience and exciting mix of diverse industries. Further details about both the Upstarts Club and Last Friday Club available on our Upstarts Club page. Dates for the Last Friday Club meetings are on our Dates for your Diary page.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ GRADUATE FULFILS MISSION TO EXPAND!

Jayne Sutherland, graduate of the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ and Managing Director of social enterprise Grub's Up Catering Crew has fulfilled its mission to expand - both in size of its buildings and ability to provide even more training than before.

The Grub's Up Catering Crew, based at the Wolseley Trust Business Park (who is sponsoring Jayne through the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™) has taken over an additional unit which will be used as a training centre for disadvantaged young people, particularly care leavers. The organisation provides catering services to outside events, with disadvantaged young people given the chance to learn how to cook.  It already provides some training but the additional unit will mean that it can increase this from 10 to 20 young people a year to around 40 in six months.

The range of training will also expand from food hygiene, nutrition, first aid, and craft to include NVQs and progression awards in catering and business administration.

Jayne commented that "This would not have happened if it was not for bootcamp - it has given me so much.  It's given me the confidence to phone someone up to say 'I want this' knowing who to contact, and knowing that Sue (Windley, bootcamp organiser) is in the background. I didn't class myself as a business person before, but I do now - it's given me marketing, finance and presentation skills." She added: "I started the bootcamp very cynical with the attitude 'there's no way you're going to do to me what you say you will' then I came out and it has been amazing."

Sue Windley, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, added "Jayne has been one of our stars of the Bootcamp and we are so pleased to see her achieve what she originally set out to do so quickly.  Now she is re-assessing her goals to aim for even more success.  What is so brilliant about Jayne's success is that she is running a social enterprise that truly gives back to the local community - and it is the skills of being an entrepreneur that has enabled her to do this." 

For the full article written by Liz Parks, Business Editor of the Herald, click here.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ GRADUATE SHORTLISTED FOR YOUNG BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD!

Nick Palfrey, one of the eleven intrepid participants on the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ has been short listed for the Herald's "Young Businessperson of the Year" Award.

Judges met on 10 October to decide the awards, which will be handed out on November 15, during National Enterprise Week.

David Parlby, chief executive of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, who chaired the judges meeting, said: "There was a very high standard of entries and some of the categories were exceptionally difficult to judge for both a shortlist and eventual winner."

Tracy Wilson, head of commercial marketing at the University of Plymouth, added: "I found being involved (as a judge) a real honour and to see individuals and organisations coming through just goes to show how much talent we have got in this city.  "Some of them really do have that tingle factor that makes them special and stand out."

We at Bootcamp HQ feel this sums up Nick's approach to his business idea Moofu, so here's keeping our fingers crossed for November 15 2007!  We were also delighted to see that several of the sponsors and supporters of the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp are also short listed in the various categories:

  • Bootcamp presenter Andrew Ashley (EPL) who supported the Bootcampers during their 5 day "ordeal" is up for Business Leader of the Year;
  • Bootcamp sponsor Goss Interactive for Business of the Year;
  • Bootcamp sponsor the Wolseley Trust for Social Enterprise of the Year;
  • Bootcamp sponsor Tamar Science Park's Nina Sarlaka shares the shortlist with PPM's Sue Windley for the Mentor of the Year award and
  • Bootcamp sponsor Plymouth Business Growth's representative Dave Young (Airport Business Centre) is short listed for Entrepreneur of the Year. 

Sue Windley, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, added "What a wonderful way to demonstrate the talent that supported and participated in the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.  We have a Bootcamp representative in six out of the total of seven categories - no wonder all the Bootcampers are going from strength to strength."

THE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ PARTICIPANTS GET DOWN TO WORK!

It seems to have gone quiet on the media front for the eleven intrepid participants of the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ - but that's because they are busy working on their businesses.  All eleven are being supported by their sponsors and PPM Ltd's mentors, Sue Windley and Carrie Story. 

Sue, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ said "Now is the important time for the new businesses.  We are mentoring the Bootcampers for the first twelve months' of turning their business ideas into profitable reality, so it is all "noses to the grindstone" for the participants at the moment.  We have been so impressed by the quality and ambition of every Bootcamper - they worked together very well through the 5-Day Bootcamp.  Now we are looking forward to hearing their success stories at the end of 2007."

The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ is a unique and innovative project to find and mentor would-be entrepreneurs, designed and developed by business acceleration consultants PPM Ltd.  Eleven participants - sponsored by established businesses and enterprise trusts - survived being put through their paces by everyone from the Royal Marines to a business psychologist in the intensive 5-Day Bootcamp in March 2007. THeir next goal is to build on the 12-months' business support provided to them free of charge to establish successful businesses.  

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ WEEK 26TH - 30TH MARCH 2007

Click on the links below to read about the daily adventures of the Bootcampers and their sponsors as written in The Herald:

MAGNIFICENT ELEVEN TO FACE ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™

Following the final selection day on 8 March 2007, all the candidates have now been selected by their sponsors to face the challenge of the first Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ taking place across Plymouth during the last week of March 2007. 

Full details and background on all the candidates to be posted here very soon. 

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ IS GO!

Chamber Link magazine's March 2007 issue reported on the first Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ to be run in the UK and included an article on Bootcamp participant Sam Gray's company Studiospaceone.com.

Full Article.

COMMUNITY TRIO SELECTED FOR ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™

The first three candidates have won their places on the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.  Jayne Sutherland, Lorna Pearce and Edwin Bradshaw attended the first selection day on 27 February at The Herald and were selected by three city community trusts who will sponsor them through the first Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ to be run in the UK.

Full Story by Matt Fleming, Herald Reporter, 1 March 2007.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ BECKONS FOR STUDIOSPACE SAM

Tamar Science Park resident Sam Gray has been chosen to represent TSP on the 2007 Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.  Sam, a graphic designer and web entrepreneur is among the city's youngest company directors. Having launched his first enterprise at the age of 17 while studying at Plymouth College of Art and Design, Sam now heads up a new online gallery studiospaceone.com, which aims to create a network of thousands of young artists.

Full Story by Diana Prince, Herald Reporter, 27 February 2007.

PUTTING A BOOT UP CITY'S BUSINESSES

A Question and Answer session with The Herald's columnist Martin Freeman quizzing Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ co-designer Sue Windley. 

Full Article by Martin Freeman, Herald Reporter, 23 February 2007.

WHERE ARE ALL THE CITY'S NEW ENTREPRENEURS?

An innovative business bootcamp will give Plymouth's wannabe tycoons the chance to gain five years' experience in five days, organisers say. With the first deadline for applicants this Friday, people with determination and a winning idea are being urged to sign up for the challenge.

Full Story by Diana Prince, Herald Reporter, 21 February 2007.

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ COMPETITION DATES

The Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ competitions are now go!  PPM Ltd, designers of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ have announced the two days' of competitions where sponsors will be selecting their participants to take part in the pilot Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ 5-day event between 26th - 30th March 2007.

There will be two competitions taking place in Plymouth - the first date will be when the Community Trusts' sponsors will select their 3 participants and the second date will see the commercial sponsors choosing their would be entrepreneurs.  Entrants can apply for either or both competition dates:

  • Community Trusts Selection Day - Tuesday 27th February 2007
  • Commercial Sponsors Competition Day - Thursday 8th March 2007.

Further details and background information about the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ are available from www.entrepreneursbootcamp.co.uk

IT'S BOOTCAMP FOR BUSINESS PEOPLE

People with drive, determination and a winning idea are being sought to take part in a unique business challenge. The UK's first Entrepreneurs Bootcamp is due to take place in Plymouth in March, when 12 of the city's wannabe tycoons are put through an intensive five-day bootcamp that organisers say will give them five years' worth of business experience.

Royal Marines from the 539 Assault Squadron at Turnchapel will be on hand to put the entrepreneurs through their paces, passing on their experiences of decision-making under pressure.  The idea is that such an intensive experience will give participants the drive and know how they need. They will also be given mentoring for a year after the bootcamp to ensure that their idea stands the best possible chance of succeeding.

Organiser Sue Windley, director of Pragmatic Performance Management, said: "Give us the right person and we will do everything in our power to make them succeed. All they have got to bring is a good business idea - they don't even have to have a business plan." 

Full Story by Liz Parks, Herald Business Reporter, 3 February 2007.

BOOTCAMP IS GO!

A competition to find Plymouth's most promising would-be entrepreneurs is being launched in the city in the New Year. The competition will be the first stage in the Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp event, due to take place in March, which will see eager wannabes put through their paces by everyone from the Royal Marines to a business psychologist. 

The entrepreneurs - who can be of any age or come from any background - will then experience an intensive five-day bootcamp aimed at pushing them to the limit.  But the idea is that by putting themselves through such an intensive experience, they will be given a unique opportunity to tap into the business expertise of companies across the city.

Organiser Sue Windley, director of Pragmatic Performance Management, said: "The concept is about learning from the experience of other people. We're trying to give a background knowledge with an added practical element to it.  We will have real people telling the participants about the good and the bad things involved in business. We will show them what to do when things go wrong so that they get to see both sides of business."

Full Article by Liz Parks, Herald Business Reporter, 16 November 2006.  

ENTREPRENEURS BOOTCAMP™ DESIGNER CHALLENGES BIZ SOUTH WEST

12 October 2006: Sue Windley, co-designer of the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™ provided a taster of the challenges to come on the first day of Business South West 2006.  Starting with the background to some of the business growth myths in the south west (see video), Sue provided an insight into the key requirements needed to win through to the Bootcamp: drive and determination, coupled with a business idea.  You can download the presentation here.

The remaining sponsor/investors are being recruited to support the finalists through the Bootcamp.  If your business would like to invest in the future success stories in this region, plus gain the opportunity to promote your business nationally, contact PPM Ltd or download our information & sponsorship form.

If you think you have what it takes to be a participant on the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™, we are taking details of would-be competitors in preparation for the main competition, which is scheduled for early 2007.  Contact us (heading your e-mail Bootcamp Competition).

            Previous Bootcamp News & Articles

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Bootcamp Website

Visit the Bootcamp website for the latest on the pilot Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.
Bootcamp Website

The Upstarts Club

The networking club from the Entrepreneurs Bootcamp™.
The Upstarts Club

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Dates For Your Diary

Visit this page for additional learning events and networking opportunities.
Dates for Your Diary