Lord Sugar’s would-be apprentice Katie Bulmer-Cooke is calling into the University of Sunderland’s Enterprise FEST 14 to lift the lid on how she has succeeded in business.
Sunderland graduate Katie can be seen battling it out in the current series of BBC’s hit TV show The Apprentice, to win a business deal with the controversial and outspoken Lord Alan Sugar.
Keen to return to the roots of her enterprising success, Katie, a BSc Sports & Exercise Development graduate, is one of the key speakers at the University’s flagship Enterprise FEST 14, which aims to launch the next generation of entrepreneurs.
During the week-long Enterprise FEST, Katie will join in an entrepreneurial challenge called The Ideas Factory, which will see students pitch a new business idea to an expert panel.
Current students and graduates from the University will join their counterparts from East Durham, Sunderland and Gateshead Colleges in the two-day business challenge.
Apprentice star Katie Bulmer-Cooke said: “Sunderland is a great place to start a business and do business, and as a Sunderland University graduate, I am really excited about sharing my entrepreneurial journey with the students as part of what is set to be a fantastic event.
“I’m going to share everything…all the valuable lessons I’ve learned while running and growing my business to international status over the last 11 years.”
TV stardom is just the latest step in a remarkable business journey for Katie, which has seen the 29-year-old mum-of-one from Ashbrooke establish her own internationally-successful online personal fitness and training business.
Katie has also been named UK Fitness Professional of the Year 2013 and was picked to be high street retailer Argos’ resident health and fitness expert.
The Ideas Factory is one of several business support events and seminars at the Enterprise FEST, which runs from 17 to 21 November. Other topics covered include Social Enterprises, how to attract funding, tips on going for a pitch, the power of marketing and business planning.
Enterprise FEST 2014 is organised by The Enterprise Place, a dedicated facility for student and graduate start-ups at the University of Sunderland, which is backed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Vince Robson, University Business Development Manager, who runs The Enterprise Place said: “This year the week-long festival is focussing on software and digital industries with a range of experts lined up to support us.
“Enterprise is a key element in the future growth of the University and it is built into all our programmes. Students are encouraged to be entrepreneurial in everything they do while studying here with us.”
Sponsored by Gentoo, the event is supported by industry experts including the North East Business and Innovation Centre, social enterprise champions SES and design and marketing company everything-Different.
Enterprise FEST 14 will close on November 21 with a seminar on funding options for new businesses led by Professor Alan Barrell, Visiting Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the University of Sunderland and Entrepreneur in Residence at Cambridge University’s Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning. He will be joined by Barry James, founder and CEO The Crowdfunding Centre, Professor David Gibson OBE, Visiting Professor of Enterprise at the University of Sunderland and Paul McEldon, Chief Executive at the North East Business & Innovation Centre and Chairman of the National Enterprise Network.
For further information on the range of support available The Enterprise Place go to www.sunderland.ac.uk/enterpriseplace or email enterprise@sunderland.ac.uk
