Press Release:
Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs Return to Cambridge
November, 2010
Entrepreneurship Experts Are Resolute: The Future of Economic Growth Does Lie In Enterprise
Cambridge, UK, November 2010 - In his recent 'pro-enterprise' speech, David Cameron, Prime Minister, United Kingdom, outlined his vision for turning the years ahead into the most entrepreneurial and dynamic in the history of the UK. His plan to build a new economic dynamism in order to create growth relies heavily on innovation and start-ups alongside collaboration between universities and businesses. So, if we are to look to entrepreneurs in order to drive economic growth, where do we start, who leads by example and how can we learn from them?
These questions will be some of those answered at this year's 'Silicon Valley Comes to Cambridge' (SVC2C) event which takes place from 18-21 November 2010. The not-for-profit event is co-founded by Sherry Coutu, serial entrepreneur, investor, NESTA Trustee and Cambridge University Finance Committee member and Reid Hoffman, Chairman, LinkedIn.
SVC2C is part of the 'Silicon Valley Comes to the UK' programme, a series of events held in London, Cambridge and Oxford. The programme brings together leading investors, iconic serial entrepreneurs, ambitious students and successful angels from the UK with leading Silicon Valley serial entrepreneurs and investors.
During SVC2C these experts will share their views about the new and innovative business models from across their sectors, with the aim of inspiring more students from Cambridge to adopt a 'pro-enterprise' attitude. In addition the event will act as a knowledge update for existing entrepreneurship students in Cambridge - which already benefits from a thriving hub of entrepreneurship.
This year, the 22 guests from Silicon Valley represent three sectors: 'commercial internet,' 'cleantech' and 'heathcare.' Some of these distinguished speakers will include: Reid Hoffman, Chairman, LinkedIn; Megan Smith, CEO of Google.org; Mike Schroepfer, CTO, Facebook; Hans-Peter Brondmo, Director of Social Experience Group at Nokia, Dan Yates, OPower, David Helliwell, Pulse Energy, Marc Tarpenning, Tesla, Sheila Marcelo, Care.com and Nancy Lublin, DoSomething.
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz Vice Chancellor, University of Cambridge will open the event with a debate at the University's Babbage Theatre, on Thursday 18 November 2010. Panelists and the audience will consider who they believe should fix the economy; is it businesses and entrepreneurs, who have driven the vast majority of economic growth over the past ten years, or the government, universities, bankers or consultants? Sir Leszek commented: "Ideas from Cambridge change the world. That is true of the scholars, researchers and lecturers of the University; it is also true of the dynamic companies in the Cambridge cluster of high-tech businesses. The impressive feature of Cambridge is how easily concepts and people, flow between academia and the private sector. Together, we have a tremendous positive impact on society."
On Friday 19 November, Cambridge Judge Business School will host a series of keynote speaker and panel sessions targeted at aspiring students and those who are already budding entrepreneurs. Topics will include: The key things that VCs and investors are looking for in a start up today and why?; Startups are not for the weak-hearted; Green Technologies - funding to IPO Green innovation and Entrepreneurship; Ten commandments for entrepreneurs; Things I wish I had known before I started.
The Silicon Valley experts will also provide four 'surgery' sessions during Friday for early stage companies and entrepreneurs who have raised less than £250,000 in capital. Dr Peter Hiscock's, Fellow in Entrepreneurship, Cambridge Judge Business School said: "Entrepreneurs have been identified as key stimulators for the economic growth of the UK. Opening up access to finance and creating an attractive environment for venture capital funding for them is therefore crucial. The government has pledged its commitment to get banks lending to small businesses again. The UK's entrepreneurs now need to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to secure these funding opportunities."
On Friday evening, three iconic serial entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley (Reid Hoffman, Founder, LinkedIn; Daniel Yates, CEO and Founder, OPOWER; Megan Smith; Vice President and General Manager of Google.org) and three from Cambridge (Chris Lowe, Serial Entrepreneur, University of Cambridge & Smart Holograms; Billy Boyle, Co-Founder of Owlstone and Mike Lynch, Founder and CEO of Autonomy) will hold a keynote and Q&A session where they will address the question: "If my company is massively successful, what will the world look like in a few years time?"
On Saturday 20th November, entrepreneurs from the UK and across Europe will attend a net-working session where they can showcase their 'hot' companies at the Hauser Forum, University of Cambridge. They will have the opportunity to discuss with the Silicon Valley experts how best to successfully enter the US market. These UK and European entrepreneurs will be able to enter the 'Silicon Valley comes to the UK Entrepreneur of the Year 2010' competition. The winning entrepreneurs will be offered a paid visit to Silicon Valley to explore the opportunities that the US market place can offer.
Commenting on SVC2C, Sherry Coutu said: "The 'Silicon Valley comes to Cambridge' series of events is intended to ensure that the UK has many more billion pound companies in the future. It does so by inspiring students and alumni from Cambridge to consider starting or joining an entrepreneurial business. It also aims to foster relationships between the leading entrepreneurs, angels and investors from world leading centres of innovation and with their help encourage policymakers to look at how to expand the UK's innovation capacity and promote economic growth."
SCV2C is coordinated by the University of Cambridge and NESTA. A number of student organisations across the University of Cambridge also help to organise the event and they include: Cambridge University Entrepreneurs (CUE), Cambridge University Technology and Enterprise Club (CUTEC) and MBA Ventures. Sponsors of the event include: NESTA, Taylor Wessing, Open First, Google, Linkedin, BT, Growthpoint, Jefferies, DFJ Esprit, Springboard, BLN and Cambridge Judge Business School's Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning.
