Business moguls of the future showcase new companies

The SPEED WM programme allows University of Wolverhampton students on any course to develop their business ideas while receiving specialist business advice and support.

Visitors to the SPEED Stars 2011 exhibition on Thursday, 14 July 2011 will be able to meet and network with the new local entrepreneurs.

Companies on display will include a homeopathy practitioner, a quirky fashion brand, a commercial video production firm and a business specialising in writing copy for company websites.

The event will be held at the Hayward Suite in the Molineux Centre at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Wolverhampton, from 10am to 1pm and is open to the public and local business people.

Sarah Taylor, SPEED WM Wolverhampton Project Manager, said: “This event is to celebrate the achievements of our students and graduates who have accomplished their dream of setting up and running their own business with the support of the SPEED WM programme at the University of Wolverhampton.

“The exhibition is designed to showcase local innovation and enterprise.”

Other businesses on display at the exhibition will include a company specialising in unique celebratory cakes for the catering industry, a photography workshop business, a company providing bespoke software and database systems to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and even a belly dance business.

The Institute for Innovation & Enterprise at the University is leading the SPEED WM project, which involves eight local universities. The project helps entrepreneurial students and graduates to set up their own businesses in the region.

As part of the SPEED WM programme, they receive access to experienced mentoring support, tailored training, networking opportunities, access to incubation space at Wolverhampton Science Park and a limited amount of financial support.

The £5million project, partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund, aims to help students and graduates become the entrepreneurs of the future and has been running since March 2009.

For more information about SPEED, please visit www.wlv.ac.uk/speed

ENDS

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