Grassroots Enterprise 2014

Grassroots Enterprise 2014

Grassroots Enterprise 2014 took place on May 1st, and was a runaway success. Building on our first conference a year ago, we were able to demonstrate how far we’ve grown in the past year, and show the housing sector the fantastic impact enterprise at a grassroots level can have, with the focus on resident entrepreneurs and community Start-Ups, whilst also throwing different workshop options into the offering. The overarching theme for the conference was ‘making it happen,’ which provided housing professionals with the practical tools and simple solutions to support enterprise in their communities thanks to the dynamic programme of speakers and workshops we had on the day.

 

Speakers

Genesis Housing
Enterprising Opportunities
Lynsay Boother
National Housing Federation

The Resident Entrepreneur
John Petitt
Housing Solutions Chief Exec
Wider Impacts of Grassroots Enterprise
Paul Hackett
Amicus  Horizon Executive
Power of Backing Grassroots Enterprise

 


Advisors

Our speakers were joined by numerous organisations providing finance, support and advice to grassroots enterprise including:
 
Mark Walton
Shared Assets

Enterprising Community Assets & Spaces
John Coburn
HACT

Grassroots Start Up Loans


Workshops

Introduced at this event, multi-stream workshops allowed different teams to explore in more detail themes of particular interest.  Workshop themes included:

Resident Created Peer-Hubs
Contracting with Grassroots Start-Ups
Community Created Start-Ups
Start-Up Support
Enterprising Support for Community Groups
Shared Asset Management

 


Showcase

Grassroots Enterprise events believe in being a showcase for start-up enterprise, so this year’s event included:

Strive Marketplace

Dozens of Start Ups showcased and sold everything from customer service training to traditional sweets, and grounds maintenance to art therapy.

 

 

 

Enterprise Feast

 

Some tasty catering treats were provided by our start up caterers; if there is one thing these residents know it‘s how to make fantastic diet-busting temptations.

 

 

 Resident Start-Up Awards

Over 300 residents Start Ups have completed Strive start up training from the Enterprise CUBE with worthy winners in the best employer, creative, entrepreneur, business growth, community and sector provider start up categories.