Meaningful Entrepreneurship: Exploring Inner Lives of Entrepreneurs and the Pursuit of Impactful Venture

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact with your entrepreneurial endeavors? Our expert speakers will discuss how entrepreneurs can use their creativity and business acumen to create positive change in our world. This is your chance to learn from experienced innovators and network with like-minded individuals over drinks afterwards.

Open to students, alumni and staff from the Business School, Edinburgh Innovations and wider University of Edinburgh, you'll get a unique insight into the motivations behind successful businesses that are making a real difference in society today. You'll have the opportunity to ask questions, gain valuable advice, and make connections that could help you further your own entrepreneurial goals. So come along and join us for an inspiring evening of dialogue, knowledge sharing, and networking!

Chair and Panel

Augusto Rocha (Chair), Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, University of Edinburgh Business School

Augusto is an Assistant Professor at the University of Edinburgh Business School researching how social and financial capital impact entrepreneurial ecosystems.

His main research interests are entrepreneurial ecosystems, social capital, social networks and regional development. His doctoral research focused on how networking events represent an important factor enabling knowledge exchange within an entrepreneurial community. This work includes a mix of Social Network Analysis, in-depth interviews and observations to understand how entrepreneurial activities unfold when ecosystem actors exploit their social capital. Prior to his academic career, Augusto developed a close relationship with entrepreneurial communities. This happened due to his former role as a (fin)tech entrepreneur.

Elizabeth Smith, Founder of Gradatim

Lizzie is the driving force behind Gradatim, a company dedicated to crafting children’s picture-books that simplify complex disability and illness information for children under five.

In 2022, she completed her MSc in Psychology of Mental Health at the University of Edinburgh. Blending professional and personal experience, Lizzie founded Gradatim with a commitment to enhance child health education for both parent and child, by reshaping how families and caregivers approach health conversations.

Farai Munjoma, Founder & CEO, Shasha Network and University Ambassador for Enterprise, Edinburgh Innovations

Farai is an alum of the Business School’s MSc Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and founded the Shasha Network in 2017, with the mission to empower young people with career readiness and soft skills which will enable them to achieve their full potential.

Shasha Network’s online career program for young people is training the next generation of leaders who will use their talents to uplift their communities.

Jack McMillan, Enterprise Officer, Edinburgh Innovations

Jack has worked with the Edinburgh Innovations team for over five years and is a graduate from the University of Edinburgh Business School. He has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurial students, and his focus is on supporting and strengthening the community of student entrepreneurs and freelancers.

Jack was also the founder and CEO of Student+ and has experience developing software and building entrepreneurial teams.