The Hunter Centre have been awarded a 140,000 Euro EU Marie Curie Fellowship.
We have been successfull in winning a EU Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowships, the project title is the ‘Determinants of the start-up process and their impact on newly-created companies’ growth intentions’.
The investigator will be Professor Aleksandra Gawel, from Poznan University of Economics, Poland who will start the project based at the Hunter Centre in August 2012.
The Hunter Centre welcomes Dr Nina Rosenbusch
Dr Nina Rosenbusch joined the centre in August as a Senior Lecturer. She had previously earned a scholarship to visit Richard Ivey School of Business, Canada, as a Research Fellow and worked as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University of Jena, Germany. Nina's main research interests focus on innovation, ambidexterity and other determinants of firm success, including the determinants of long-term IPO performance. She collaborates with internationally renowned scholars from various disciplines to conduct primary field studies as well as meta-analytic research. Her research has been published at Journal of Business Venturing and presented at various international conferences
Professor Colin Mason visits Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
In September Professor Colin Mason of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship spent a few days in Newfoundland, Canada's most easterly province, at the invitation of the Business Faculty of the Memorial University of Newfoundland where he gave a series of talks to faculty, undergraduate and MBA students, tenants of the university's business incubator, the local business angel group and an audience of policy-makers. He was also invited to meet the Deputy Minister in the Provincial Government's Industry Department.
The highlight of his visit was a well-received talk to policy-makers at the Harris Centre, whose role is to connect the university with the regional policy and development needs of the province. His talk, entitled "Quantity Versus Quality in Enterprise Policy: How Do We Get More High Growth Firms", outlined the argument for an entrepreneurial policy which supports high growth firms and the form that such a policy should take. This talk was based on his forthcoming paper in Small Business Economics, co-authored with Dr Ross Brown of Scottish Enterprise (and a Strathclyde grdauate) and arises from his ongoing work for Scottish Enterprise on high growth firms.
The longer-term objective of the visit was to work with the entrepreneurship staff at MUN to develop a research proposal that would attract funding from the Harris Centre and which would be undertaken next summer. As a committed Canada-phile Professor Mason views the prospect of spending some of next summer in Canada as very attractive.
Congratulations to Cara Pleym runner up at the BMAF 2011 Business Student Competition
Cara a first year student at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, was awarded a runner up prize for her entry into the BMAF 2011 Business Student Competition. Using the Value Challenge in her first year Business Enterprise class as inspiration for her essay, Cara clearly demonstrated "How I will use my learning to become a graduate with impact".
For further details on the competition and to read Cara's essay please visit 'Graduate with Impact'
Scotland's young entrepreneurs turning to family for advice- Better training needed for business owners of the future
Young entrepreneurs in Scotland are relying on their family for both financial assistance and advice, according to research by academics at the University of Strathclyde.
The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2010 found that Scotland's young start-up entrepreneurs rely on family more than any other individuals when setting up a business with 25% seeking funding from close family and 14% from other relatives.
However, despite an encouraging recovery in activity following a negative reaction to the recession, there remains a significant gap in training to better educate the country’s future business owners.
The report's author, Dr Jonathan Levie of the University's Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: “About twice as many young entrepreneurs value the advice of friends and family as those who value the advice of professional business advisors, even though most of their family and friends have had no experience of running a business themselves. This raises questions about the quality of advice they are getting.”
The report also highlights a ‘lost generation’ of entrepreneurs with a gap in total early-stage entrepreneurial activity (TEA) for people in their thirties – in stark contrast to the trend for the rest of the UK.
Dr Levie commented: “We cannot recover this lost generation, but we can help prevent another through universal provision of training in starting a business in colleges and universities. If we do not, much of Scotland’s investment in enterprise education in our schools could be wasted.”
Scotland’s annual GEM report encourages the Scottish government to look at enterprise policy in an integrated way and fill the gap in third level education. The report proposes that by implementing a comprehensive action plan, the rising level of disinterest in entrepreneurship could be addressed.
Sir Tom Hunter, who endowed the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde, said: " Fundamentally, Scotland needs to drive more economic development, both corporately and entrepreneurially, and if we do not drive a definitive strategy to do so – that includes a supportive tax regime, fiscal policies that drive growth and ground level support for start-ups - we will be an economy destined for reverse gear.
“Our new government should take a fresh look at enterprise policy across all the environments through which our young people travel – including further, as well as higher, education. Scotland has led the world in the past; it’s time for it to lead again for our national future. "
The full report can be downloaded here GEM Scotland 2010 Report
For the full press: GEM Scotland 2010 - Press Release
To request a copy of the GEM report please email entrepreneur@strath.ac.uk
Leading figure appointed visiting professor at University of Strathclyde
Professor John Anderson, Chief Executive of The Entrepreneurial Exchange, has been appointed as a Visiting Professor within the University of Strathclyde’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Professor Anderson, a well-known specialist in entrepreneurship and new venture creation in Scotland, has led The Entrepreneurial Exchange to become the country’s leading organisation for ambitious growth oriented entrepreneurs and which now has some 430 members, including most of Scotland’s recent successful wealth creators, with a collective turnover of £23 billion and employing around 290,000 people worldwide.
The appointment further enhances the international reputation of the Hunter Centre and highlights its commitment to providing first class business education and executive training.
Professor Anderson said: “Having completed my MBA here at Strathclyde in the mid nineties with my own focus on entrepreneurship I have been fortunate to continue my association with the University ever since and I have watched entrepreneurship teaching and research at Strathclyde develop from a small elective subject area to a fully resourced and internationally renowned Centre. It is a privilege to join a gifted team here at the Hunter Centre and I look forward to contributing to its continuing development.
As a CA in professional practice, Professor Anderson worked with many of Scotland’s most exciting growth companies after returning to Scotland from Chicago in 1989. An experienced non-executive chairman and director in growing businesses, he is a regular contributor to the media on issues facing emerging and high growth companies and was instrumental in setting up the Scottish Enterprise "Local Heroes" project, based in part on his own MBA thesis "Local Heroes - Scotland's Entrepreneurial Role Models".
Professor Sara Carter, Head of the Hunter Centre, is delighted with the appointment, she said: “The Hunter Centre prides itself on challenging our students to see how they can change the world around them and make a difference to real people through efficient economic exchange.
“The appointment of Professor Anderson highlights our commitment to providing the best possible education and opportunities and strengthens our links to leading figures in the world of business, setting us apart from traditional business education.
“We recognise the wealth of experience that this appointment brings to the University and we embrace the principles of The Entrepreneurial Exchange which helps to inform, motivate, educate, inspire and support entrepreneurs to realise their full potential
“The University is committed to working side-by-side with external partners and business leaders to produce top class graduates and deliver valuable contributions to support the national economy.”
Signs of Recovery in UK Entrepreneurial Intentions and Aspirations
A new generation of entrepreneurs who will play a role in Britain’s future economic growth and prosperity is emerging with a little help from family and friends, according to a new report from Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (UK).
Overall, a recovery of entrepreneurial attitudes and intentions to 2008 levels was evident in the UK in 2010 after a slight dip in 2009. Nine out of ten start-up and new entrepreneurs in the UK in 2010 were opportunity-driven, findings show, which was higher than in most G7 nations, including the US.
In addition, the percentage of non-entrepreneurs in the UK who agreed there were good opportunities for starting a business in their local area in the next six months rose for the first time since 2007: from 23 per cent in 2009 to 27 per cent in 2010.
The report, entitled Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) UK 2010, published today, was written by Professor Mark Hart from Aston Business School and Dr Jonathan Levie from the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship in Strathclyde Business School.
For the full report please see GEM UK 2010 Report
Full press release GEM UK 2010 Press Release
“Hunter Centre Prof’ thoughts on the Budget”
Professor Colin Mason from the Hunter Centre provides a commentary for the 2011 budget.
Budget 2011: Enterprising Scotland
TalentScotland Graduates attending business development training course
The second group of graduates to take part in the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme in the Highlands and Islands are attending a residential training course this week. The course, at Fairburn Activity Centre near Inverness, is delivered by The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University and Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University.
The thirteen graduates benefitting from the tailored business skills course will work in businesses and social enterprises in Shetland, Western Isles, Raasay, Tain, Alness, Inverness, Wick and Forres.
A survey of the participating graduates from the first course in December 2010 showed that the course had increased their confidence in their job role. The graduates also felt they had gained a better understanding of aspects of finance, employee relations and new product development.
The programme in the Highlands and Islands is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional Development Fund with the training element funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In the Highlands and Islands the programme is managed by HIE with Scottish Enterprise (SE) managing the programme for the rest of Scotland.
New book published by Professor Sara Carter
Professor Sara Carter has had a new book published, titled the ‘Handbook of Research on Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Rural Development’, Edward Elgar. The book is an edited collection of work from around the world, containing contributions from 46 authors and 17 different countries. The book is co-edited with colleagues from the Nordland Research Institute in Norway and Jonkoping International Business School in Sweden. The formal book launch took place on the 2nd March at the Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Oslo.
Lecturer wins CSI award for Best Paper in Social Entrepreneurship
Jillian Gordon, Lecturer at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, was recently awarded the CSI Award for Best Paper in Social Entrepreneurship. Jillian presented her paper titled "The Value Added Approach of Entrepreneurial Philanthropy" at the 8th AGSE International Entrepreneruship Research Exchange held at Swinburne University in Melbourne.
For further information on Jillian's research please see Dr Jillian Gordon: Lecturer and Centre for Charitable Giving & Philanthropy
MICROSOFT VP inspires Scotland's aspiring entrepreneurs
Young, aspiring entrepreneurs gathered at the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship on the 5th February to hear what it takes to be successful in business from the vice president at the helm of one of the world’s leading IT services organisations.
In an event organized by PSYTB in partnership with the Hunter Centre, Bob McDowell, vice president for Microsoft Corporation in Seattle urged Scotland’s budding entrepreneurs to seize opportunities for enterprise and innovation and not to be deterred from realising their future career ambitions.
The audience, which comprised Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship students and some young entrepreneurs who have been assisted by The Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT) to set up their own business, heard that maintaining excellent customer relationships and taking bold decisions, are key ingredients to success in business.
McDowell, who has spent the last twenty years working for Microsoft, latterly as vice president responsible for helping Microsoft’s largest customers maximise their use of current Microsoft Office technologies to add business value to their organisations, went on to explain how these key ingredients contribute to business survival and long term success. “There has never been a better opportunity for an organisation to leverage the advances in IT for competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace”.
Alrick Pagnon a second year Business Enterprise student said of the event:
“I was delighted to attend this great event hosted by PSYBT and the hunter centre. The quality of the key speakers such as Bob McDowell, the small number of guests and the presence of several young entrepreneurs made this event a great success. I didn’t have any prior knowledge in new technologies and IT but the passion expressed by Bob McDowell for entrepreneurship and business creation made this seminar accessible to anyone. I also had the pleasure to speak directly to Bob McDowell after his conference and I was amazed by his devotion and his commitment. He took the time to answer our questions and even to give us personal advices which I believe will be useful in my future career”
McDowell was also joined on stage by Paula Russell, co-founder of Strung Out Guitars and Andrew Stevenson of Tangent Graphic, who spoke of the challenges and the achievements they have experienced since starting their own businesses.
TalentScotland graduates attend first business development training course
Twelve high-flying graduates battled snow and ice to attend the first residential training course of the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme in the Highlands and Islands.
The £1.5 million programme delivered by Strathclyde's Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship and Robert Gordon University, is designed to give graduates real-life business experience and help ambitious companies achieve growth.
The programme in the Highlands and Islands is managed by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) with Scottish Enterprise (SE) managing the programme for the rest of Scotland. The graduates are working with businesses to help them innovate or develop new products and processes, while gaining vital work experience after completing their studies.
Dr Jonathan Levie, of the Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: "The programme is attracting high calibre graduates who have the ability to make a real difference to the companies they work with. Our role is to help them develop into strong leaders so they can ultimately drive business growth.
"Strathclyde has a strong track record of working with business, industry and the public sector and we're delighted to be working with the TalentScotland programme."
Among the graduates were James Williamson, a Strathclyde engineering graduate at BSW Timber, and Chris Putt at Highland Activities in Kinlochlaggan.
James said: "I spent four years learning from books, but the real learning starts in the workplace."
Funding from the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) has made the development and delivery of this tailored course possible. Up to 600 graduates in Scotland will benefit from this course between 2010 and 2013.
The TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme is also supported by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service and the European Regional Development Fund.
Award winning support for early career researchers
A series of workshops dedicated to supporting enterprise activity across Strathclyde's research community will begin in the New Year.
The University’s Researcher Development Programme is developing a range of masterclasses to help early career researchers and postgraduate research students develop their skills in business development, research commercialisation and communication.
The news follows the success of the KE Step Change programme developed by Universities Scotland and partners including Strathclyde, which was awarded the Times Higher Education’s Outstanding Support for Early Careers Researchers award last month. It helped more than 300 researchers across Scotland develop skills in knowledge exchange, thereby promoting a significant step change in Scottish research and innovation culture.
Professor David Gani, the University’s Deputy Principal for External Affairs & Advancement, said: “The success of the KE Step Change programme reflects Strathclyde’s entrepreneurial ethos and commitment to supporting the early career researcher community. It is critical that researchers are given the opportunity to work collaboratively and develop skills to maximise the impact of their work.
Programmes will include:
An innovative course on ‘technology road-mapping’ developed by Strathclyde’s Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship, which introduces participants to the world of commercialising technology in industry, and associated new business development techniques
A suite of workshops linked to enterprise including communication, marketing techniques and competency training
A two-day practical masterclass in social entrepreneurship, offering postgraduate research students and early career research staff in the Business School the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and experience of social enterprise and business planning, stimulate their sense of innovation and develop their skills in team working, communication and analysis
For more information about early career researcher programmes, or to find out more about any aspect of Strathclyde’s Researcher Development Programme, visit www.strath.ac.uk/rdp or email claire.jackson@strath.ac.uk , Researcher Development Officer.
TalentScotland Graduates attending business development training course
The second group of graduates to take part in the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme in the Highlands and Islands are attending a residential training course this week. The course, at Fairburn Activity Centre near Inverness, is delivered by The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University and Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University.
The thirteen graduates benefitting from the tailored business skills course will work in businesses and social enterprises in Shetland, Western Isles, Raasay, Tain, Alness, Inverness, Wick and Forres.
A survey of the participating graduates from the first course in December 2010 showed that the course had increased their confidence in their job role. The graduates also felt they had gained a better understanding of aspects of finance, employee relations and new product development.
The programme in the Highlands and Islands is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional Development Fund with the training element funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In the Highlands and Islands the programme is managed by HIE with Scottish Enterprise (SE) managing the programme for the rest of Scotland.
The programme in the Highlands and Islands is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional Development Fund with the training element funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In the Highlands and Islands the programme is managed by HIE with Scottish Enterprise (SE) managing the programme for the rest of Scotland
The second group of graduates to take part in the TalentScotland Graduate Placement Programme in the Highlands and Islands are attending a residential training course this week. The course, at Fairburn Activity Centre near Inverness, is delivered by The Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship at Strathclyde University and Aberdeen Business School at Robert Gordon University.
The thirteen graduates benefitting from the tailored business skills course will work in businesses and social enterprises in Shetland, Western Isles, Raasay, Tain, Alness, Inverness, Wick and Forres.
A survey of the participating graduates from the first course in December 2010 showed that the course had increased their confidence in their job role. The graduates also felt they had gained a better understanding of aspects of finance, employee relations and new product development.
The programme in the Highlands and Islands is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and the European Regional Development Fund with the training element funded by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and Skills Development Scotland (SDS). In the Highlands and Islands the programme is managed by HIE with Scottish Enterprise (SE) managing the programme for the rest of Scotland.
