By Francesca James
MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival kicks-off today with the official unveiling of The Entrepreneur Express, which will bring some of Britain’s best business minds to Sheffield for four days of inspirational events.
The exclusive East Midlands train, which will be named The Entrepreneur Express on the first day of the festival, will carry VIPs, including the Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk MP and some of the country’s leading entrepreneurs, from London St. Pancras to Sheffield for the UK’s pre-eminent festival for entrepreneurs. They will be joined by an impressive line-up of headline speakers who have signed up to inspire, connect and support 2,000 entrepreneurs from all over Britain.
The MADE Festival will welcome the Secretary of State for Business, Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, who will be announcing key enterprise initiatives, and a distinguished roster of headline speakers including Peter Jones CBE, James Averdieck, founder of Gü Puds, Julie Meyer, founder of Ariadne Capital and Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of the Black Farmer.
Taking place from 21-24 September, the festival will see a series of high profile events taking place around Sheffield from partners including StartUp Britain, Virgin Media, Wired and TEDx.
Minister of State for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk MP says:
“Small businesses are vital for driving growth in the UK economy, and the Government is committed to creating the best possible environment to help new firms start up, and existing businesses to grow. The MADE Festival is a great opportunity for entrepreneurs from all over the country to share their ideas and inspire the next generation of business owners."
MADE Festival Chairman, Michael Hayman says:
“The MADE Festival is the signature event in the UK for entrepreneurs. This year we have a phenomenal line-up of headline speakers who will offer their valuable[/b] knowledge to the 2,000 entrepreneurs coming to Sheffield from all over the UK. With four fantastic days of events, MADE will showcase the best of British business talent and innovation.”
[b]Headline speakers include:
Peter Jones CBE, Dragons’ Den star
Rt Hon David Blunkett MP
James Averdieck, Gü Puds
Julie Meyer, founder of Ariadne Capital
Doug Richard, founder of School for Startups
Lara Morgan, founder of Pacific Direct
Claire Young, founder of School Speakers
Oli Barrett, StartUp Britain co-founder
Joe Cohen, founder of Seatwave
Martyn Dawes, founder of Coffee Nation
Duncan Goose, founder of Global Ethics
Rajeeb Dey, founder of Enternships
Melody Hossaini, The Apprentice 2011 contestant
Medhi El Gueddari, founder of Schmooze
Priya Lakhani, founder of Masala Masala
Paul Lindley, founder of Ella’s Kitchen
Duncan Cheatle, founder of The Supper Club
Paloma Vivanco, The Apprentice 2010 contestant
James Lohan, founder of Mr & Mrs Smith
Penny Power, founder of Ecademy
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, founder of The Black Farmer
Will Butler- Adams, CEO of Brompton Bicycle
Rupert Lee-Browne, founder and CEO of Caxton FX
Marcus Waley-Cohen, co-founder of Firefly Tonics
Emma Harrison, chairman of A4e
Andy Hanselman, founder of Andy Hanselman Consulting
Emma Killilea, founder of Delicious Alchemy
David Richards, President & CEO at WANdisco
Pernille Bruun- Jensen, managing director of Intuit UK
MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival 2011 will centre around events based on three themes:
Inspire - The festival will inspire young people and those thinking about turning their ambitions into reality. Through panel debates, inspirational speeches and networking events, MADE will encourage the next generation of start-ups to flourish and grow.
Disrupt - Successful entrepreneurs have disruption in their DNA and thrive on rejecting the status quo. Through discussions and workshops focusing on digital and tech start-ups, MADE will encourage entrepreneurs to think differently.
Accelerate - MADE will encourage businesses to become the gazelles, the young companies who leap over competition, that are needed to help Britain’s economy bounce back. The festival will give entrepreneurs the tools they need to accelerate business growth and optimise innovation.
For more information, please visit www.madefestival.com
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