Enterprise roadshows inspire Glasgow college students
20 December 2022
Glasgow college students have been inspired by a series of Enterprise Roadshows, offering insight into business, enterprise and entrepreneurialism.
Young Enterprise Scotland's Bridge 2 Business programme hosted workshops across City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Clyde College and Glasgow Kelvin College. Sponsored by Business Gateway, the roadshows aimed to inspire, connect and support students across the Glasgow college region, with workshops, guest speakers and enterprise marketplaces.
Glasgow college students and staff learned about business, developing skills for future and heard success stories from former Glasgow college student entrepreneurs, including Martina Tuskova, who previously studied printmaking and photography at City of Glasgow College. Martina spoke to students at the college about her role as founder of Eco Devana period products.
Bayile Adeoti, founder of Dechomai, was part of Glasgow Clyde College's enterprise panel. The former Cardonald college student, now part of Glasgow Clyde College, said: "I studied Business and European Languages at Glasgow Clyde College, so speaking at the roadshow felt like I was coming home. Young enterprise inspired me and I want to help encourage students to dream bigger."
Guest speakers also included Vanja Popovic, co-founder of Scottish startup Bobbll, personal trainer and business owner Hannah Ross, Lou Beardmore, founder and director of award-winning social enterprise Pride Outside, and founders of 3D Scotland Michael O’Donnell and Alex Duff.
Lisa Wardlaw, college delivery manager for Bridge 2 Business, spoke about her own enterprise journey at the events and said: "We have been delighted to bring our Bridge 2 Business Enterprise Roadshow to our partner colleges in Glasgow. Being able to inspire students, through real life business stories is so valuable. I hope my own personal start-up business story has inspired the students to know that they can do it too!”
Budding entrepreneurs from a range of departments attended the workshops, which were hosted at City of Glasgow's City Campus, Glasgow Clyde College's Cardonald Campus and Glasgow Kelvin College's Easterhouse Campus.
Grant Sutherland, Bridge 2 Business Glasgow's programme executive, added: "There is a real appetite from the students to learn more about what we do and how starting a business could be for them during or after their studies. We’ve had students from many different departments, from events and photography students to health and fitness and business students.
"Students have thoroughly engaged, whether that be having a chat with the exhibitors, interacting with the B2B workshops, or attending the guest speaker panel discussion. Student volunteers also helped with the set up and running of the event and provided catering at lunch, which has given them great hands-on practical experience."
The Bridge 2 Business scheme is Young Enterprise Scotland’s Further Education programme, funded by the Scottish Government. The Glasgow college region benefits from a collaborative, partnership approach, with access to opportunities and enterprise initiatives, social enterprise challenges, workshops, cross-colleges link opportunities, support and mentoring.
Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board also invests in the enterprise scheme through its Programme for Action to enhance the support available for Glasgow college students.
Martin Boyle, Executive Director of Glasgow Colleges' Regional Board, said: "The support offered through the Bridge 2 Business programme inspires young entrepreneurs across Scotland.
"The enterprise roadshows hosted across Glasgow college campuses inspired learners with stories of success and developed their understanding of the practical side of business and enterprise. It was fantastic to welcome former Glasgow college students and guest speakers as part of the enterprise panels. The entrepreneurs offered insight into their business journeys and provided students with practical advice and guidance. I would encourage all college students to research the support and initiatives available through Bridge 2 Business."
Further details available here.