EPIC Futures Entrepreneurship Programme will support students and recent graduates with an exciting business idea who wish to develop it into a viable business.

Participants can enter individually or as part of a team.

The programme is limited to 100 places and the six workshops will take place twice weekly at South Devon College, commencing on Wednesday 18th June until Thursday 3rd July.

The programme culminates on Thursday 10th July with participants submitting a business model canvas and presenting their business idea to a panel of judges.

Participants will compete for prizes of £1500, £1000 and £500- and all participants will benefit from further support to turn their idea into a successful business including workshops and mentoring.

What makes a good idea? How can a good idea transform into a good business?

Innovation isn’t invention. How can I make my business innovative? What is my value proposition – my differentiator? Who are my suppliers and stakeholders? Who are my customers and how do I get to them?

IP isn’t just patents – it’s brand, protecting your data base, copyright, trademarks – even choosing the right business name and logo. What is the best legal structure for me and what do I need to do when I start.

All things financial, it’s not as frightening as you think!! Cashflow and forecasts, Profit and Loss and balance sheets made simple

 What’s the best marketing and sales strategy for me? What’s my pricing strategy. What’s the best social media platform – who, how and when do I sell my product/service?

How to do a sales/investment pitch and what’s the difference?  Is funding and finance available and how do I get it. How would the prize money help kickstart my business?

With participants having submitted their business model canvas, they will present their business idea to a panel of judges. (15 minutes per pitch including questions)

On the day of the workshops, one to one mentoring support will be available from successful local mentors. So if you’d like to know more about intellectual property, finance, costing, pricing and accounting, marketing and sales, understanding your market, business strategy and lots more, mentors are available to offer one to one support.

We would like you to attend all of the workshops if you can and also meet the mentors who will support you further with your business idea.

We would also like you to enter the competition and present your idea/business to a panel of friendly judges.

You will need to complete a simple application form to enrol onto the course.

The application form will be found on the EPIC Centre website - EPIC Centre | Microelectronics & Tech Innovation Centre under the EPIC Futures tab.

This is a fantastic opportunity to get the right support you need to kickstart your entrepreneurial journey and start your own business.

Further support will be available once you start your business, including workshops and mentoring to ensure you have the best possible opportunity to be successful in the future