Unlocking your Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Benefits and Opportunities

This event aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem and equip them with the necessary knowledge and resources to succeed in their entrepreneurial journey. What are the support structures, funding opportunities, and resources available for start-ups and entrepreneurs?

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

Augusto Rocha 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.

Panelists

Brian Baglow is a writer, games designer, and founder of the Scottish Games Network, the industry body for the video games sector in Scotland. Scottish Games Network supports Scotland’s gaming industry to connect to other sectors and regions, promoting interactive media as a transformative technology.

Brian now works as a consultant with creative and digital technology organisations to help harness the transformative potential of games and interactive media. He also lectures at Edinburgh Napier University and is building a games ecosystem wide cluster within Scotland.

Teodora Handrea is the Lead Enterprise Executive at Edinburgh Innovations, University of Edinburgh, and is a keen supporter of change makers and a connector of ideas. Teodora is responsible for enterprise activities and education - working with the EI team to ensure that the University’s enterprise provision continues to be world-leading. She supports provision of the best training, workshops and education for founders and innovators. Passionate about Student Enterprise, Teodora works to forge new partnerships and collaborations for the benefit of student founders.