Exeter alumni gathered at Runway East, for an informal evening of networking and idea sharing.

Alumni event to boost entrepreneur network in London

On 26 July, Exeter hosted its first University of Exeter Entrepreneurs Network event at Runway East, Shoreditch, London. The Think:Try:Do team welcomed around 50 attendees for an informal evening of networking, idea-sharing and a panel discussion with an all-star roster of guests to discuss contemporary challenges facing entrepreneurs and start-up ventures.

The panel comprised Jeremy Evans, co-founder of Explaain and Forbes 30 under 30 2016; Julie Azharian, Head of Middle east HNWI at Qatar Islamic Bank; and Tom Carrington-Smith, Co-Founder & CPO of Charlie HR. The panel was chaired by the effervescent Chris Howard - start-up guru and Founder/CEO of The Rattle. The panel provided valuable advice and stimulated lively debate across a wide range of topics, including what is needed to establish a successful start-up business, what it takes to secure funding and investors for start-up ventures, how to bounce back from failure and what challenges the future may bring.

Both before and after the panel discussion, there was time for networking and community-building alongside the opportunity to share ideas, start-up stories and experience. The group plan to coordinate meet-up events every few months and also to nurture the community online via social media.

Emily Davies, Student Startup Manager at the University explained:  “It is our hope that the group will provide a collaborative community for those now living and working in London, will provide soft-landing support for new graduates who want to head to the capital and will form a network of mentors and advisors to inspire the next generation of students on their entrepreneurial journey.”

Date: 2 August 2017