THE HIVE@MANSFIELD PROOF OF CONCEPT PROGRAMME
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THE HIVE@MANSFIELD PROOF OF CONCEPT PROGRAMME
SO YOU NEED SOME HELP... Are you an entrepreneur or innovator with a great idea? Do you want to start or develop your own business? Have you seen a niche and wish to exploit it? Do you want to turn your business idea into a reality? Are you already trading and wish to change direction or develop new products or services? Would your business benefit from professional mentoring support? If the answer is yes, you need to talk to us. THE HIVE@MANSFIELD About us The Hive@Mansfield is part of the successful Hive at Nottingham Trent University. The Hive helps and supports both existing businesses with new and exciting ideas, and individuals who want to launch a new business. Our expertise is founded upon University research, and we have a strong reputation for promoting innovation, creativity and enterprise. “Our objective is to create business winners. This is a unique opportunity for businesses in the eligible areas to be truly innovative and successful.” Michael Huxley, Project Manager
PROOF OF CONCEPT
PROGRAMME
FOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AND
BUSINESS START-UPS
Many people with a great business idea lack the experience, resources or
confidence to develop it. It can be difficult to know where to turn for
information, research data, support, resources and guidance.
At The Hive, we are looking for people who have a good idea and entrepreneurial flair who would benefit
from access to university resources.
Our free Proof of Concept programme is ideal for both established businesses with a new idea, and new
business start-ups. It helps you assess the commercial viability of your idea and turn it into a profitable
reality. It is based on proven techniques used by world-class organisations.
WE RUN THREE
We can help you to:
PROGRAMMES
• shape and evaluate a business concept;
PER YEAR
• evaluate business opportunities, niche markets
and reduce commercial risks;
• direct your passion and enthusiasm into
tangible realities, knowledge, skills and
Starting in January, April and
confidence; September.
We are looking for businesses with good,
• prepare structured business, marketing and
entrepreneurial ideas who will benefit from
financial plans;
access to the resources of Nottingham Trent
• reduce the risk of failure; University, who want to prove the viability of
their new product, service, process or market
• achieve success more quickly;
idea and who will help generate new business
• understand your investment requirements; and and employment in the region.
• create an action plan to ensure your business We are primarily looking for businesses with
success. brilliant new business ideas based in the
districts of Ashfield, Bassetlaw, Bolsover,
The programme is a combination of personal Chesterfield or Mansfield.
mentoring, practical support and confidence
We may have places for candidates from other
building, helping you develop quality business
locations – please contact us for more information.
skills. Around 60% of the participants prove their
idea is viable and start a new business. However, There is no age limit or qualifications
the programme is of great value to your personal necessary to join, just a great new idea and
development, irrespective of whether your business the passion and drive for it to succeed.
idea takes off.
WHAT WE OFFER YOU
You will enrol as a student of Nottingham Trent University for the duration of
the programme where you will have access to unique resources to help you
research and evaluate your idea.
Through 15 workshop days over a 12 week period, The Hive Proof of Concept
we will help you focus on your strengths and how
programme gives you the evidence
to find suitable customers. This allows you to
undertake the learning and research while and confidence needed to make
continuing to run your business. sensible decisions on the commercial
If the idea is viable, you will have a plan for
viability of your idea and an action
commercial success to justify investment. plan of how to succeed.
Proof of Concept programmes are at the core of We also keep you posted on the latest business
world class business success. These businesses news and information, business support services,
research and plan every idea before spending any trade information, business legal updates,
development money on it. This is a unique networking opportunities, funding and grant
opportunity for you to learn how they succeed and information, events, seminars, workshops and
to apply proven techniques. By accessing specialist business awards. Helping your business stay
resources you will gain the confidence to succeed. informed, up-to-date and to give you a competitive
This is not just another training course. It is a advantage.
learn-by-doing workshop programme where the To find out more, talk to our Project Manager,
skills acquired will be applicable to your future Michael Huxley.
career and business development.
Contact Michael today on:
+44 (0)1623 600829 to see if you qualify.
COURSE DETAILS
The course will run for two days per week for weeks one and two, then one day
per week (normally Thursday) for the rest of the programme, plus one hour
mentoring each week (normally Monday or Friday).
WEEKS 1 – 4 WEEKS 5 – 8
Review of the market for the Review of financial issues:
business idea: • How much do you need to earn to cover living
• Market research techniques expenses?
• Project management • How much will your idea cost to deliver?
• Protection of intellectual property • Operational costs
• Who are your customers? • Legal and regulatory issues
• Why, where and when would customers buy it? • Sources of funding
• How many would customers buy? • Company structures
• How much would customers pay? • Accounting issues (including tax, national
insurance and VAT)
• What features are customers looking for?
• Producing a robust cash-flow forecast
• What are the benefits and value to customers?
• Profit and loss and balance sheets
• Producing your marketing plan
• Presentation of the financial viability of the idea
• Branding and negotiation to our internal panel of experts, who provide
written feedback
• Marketing training
• Presentation of market viability to our internal
WEEKS 9 – 11
panel of experts
Selling your idea:
• Selling and negotiating skills
• Presentation skills
• Selling on the Internet and using social media
• The executive summary
• Producing your business plan
RESOURCES AND
FACILITIES
Throughout the programme all
participants have full access to the
following resources and facilities:
• hot-desk room with eight PCs providing
broadband Internet access;
• onsite café and crèche;
• become a Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
student and get your own NTU email address;
• Free NTU library access (including online access) Who can benefit from The Hive
– this includes over 200 research databases, Proof of Concept Programme?
over 10,000 trade publications on-line plus the
We help individuals and small and medium
normal library reference and loan stocks; and
enterprises (SMEs). Your business must have less
• free use of our phones for research. than 250 employees, a turnover of less than £50m
and a balance sheet of under £43m.
In the last week of the programme, you present
your finished business plan to our external panel of All sorts of businesses can benefit from our
experts and together we conduct a review and programme. Typical examples include designers,
evaluation of your progress. consultants, difficult to start businesses, web-based
businesses and anyone developing new products
and services.
How much? It’s free!
There is no cost for the programme for eligible
business ideas if you are based in the following
local authority areas: Ashfield DC, Bolsover DC,
Bassetlaw DC, Chesterfield BC or Mansfield DC.
We are looking for potentially viable new business
ideas from highly entrepreneurial individuals or
teams who could benefit from access to the
University’s resources.
The Hive Proof of Concept programme aims to provide you with
all the resources you need to turn your enterprising idea into a
resounding success.CONTACT US
WHO TO CONTACT
Speak to the Project Manager, Michael Huxley Email
on +44 (0)1623 600 829, who will invite you to michael.huxley@ntu.ac.uk
see our facilities at Mansfield and discuss your
idea in depth. Web
The Hive@Mansfield ntu.ac.uk/hive-mansfield
Mansfield i-Centre
Hamilton Way Facebook
Oakham Business Park www.facebook.com/MansfieldHivePoC
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire Twitter
NG18 5BR @mansfieldhive
Phone Blog
+44 (0)1623 600 829 http://mansfieldhive.wordpress.com
HOW TO FIND US
WHAT NEXT?
You can contact us either by
telephone, email or through our
website.
We’ll invite you to come and view
our Innovation Centre and discuss
in confidence the potential and
suitability of our services and
resources to the business idea you
have in mind.
Get in touch, we will be happy to
answer all your questions and queries.The Hive@Mansfield
Mansfield i-Centre
Hamilton Way
Oakham Business Park
Mansfield
Nottinghamshire
NG18 5BR
Tel: +44 (0) 1623 600 829
www.ntu.ac.uk/hive-mansfield
The Hive@Mansfield is part-funded by the
European Regional Development Fund and
is supported by Oxford Innovation at the
Mansfield i-Centre.
This leaflet can be made available in alternative formats.
© Nottingham Trent University and may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form in
whole or in part without the prior written consent of Nottingham Trent University.
6254/04/13
*6254*
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