The Emerge Business Idea Bootcamp 

Identify problems, Design new solutions.

A fast-track experience to become a business founder.

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Target Audience: Open to University of Sheffield students from all disciplines (Engineering, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Health & Science). No prior knowledge or experience needed. 

Workshop Capacity: 65 Students

Venue: The Cornerstone, The Wave, 2 Whitham Rd, Sheffield S10 2AH

Time: 10pm - 4pm 

Workshop Overview:

This full day workshop, "Business Ideas - Generation Workshop," equips students with the skills and frameworks to identify problems, develop solutions, and create compelling business ideas. Students will work in teams to navigate a problem-solving journey, exploring user needs and crafting innovative solutions. You'll gain hands-on experience in launching a start-up with our community of entrepreneurs. Free lunch included!

Workshop Outcomes and accomplishments:

By participating in this workshop, you will gain:

Emerge Bootcamp Certificate

• You will receive a printed and digital certificate and be encouraged to mark your achievements through the mySkills platform. Those who complete one day, will receive a digital certificate to add to their records.

Hard Skills:

• Identify problems and develop solutions through a structured process.
• Understand the importance of user-centric thinking and design.
• Recognise the value of MVPs for testing business ideas.

Soft Skills:

• Work effectively in a team environment.
• Generate creative solutions under pressure.
• Develop compelling and concise presentations.
• Think critically and objectively about business challenges.

Your Participation Commitment:

To get the most out of this experience, we encourage you to attend both days. Please sign up if you can attend the full afternoon on Tuesday and/or Wednesday.

Your participation helps us plan effectively and reduce food waste as we will be providing food and refreshments for our participants!

By completing the Bootcamp, each participant will receive an Emerge Enterprise certificate that represents your skills and accomplishments. 

Schedule 

Session 1: Starting with a Problem 

• Introducing our 2025 winners: Hear from some of our entrepreneurs as share their experience of setting up a student business

Session 2: Customer Segments & User Personas

• Understanding Customers
• Crafting User Personas 

Session 3: Solution Generation & Business Ideas 

• Problem-Solution Pairing
• Solution Brainstorming & Idea Selection
• Q&A and overnight brainstorming

Lunch Break: Free lunch included!

Session 4: Business Modelling 

• Business Idea Formation
• Team selection

Session 5: Validating Your Idea

• Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
• Defining Your MVP
• Working lunch buffet 

Session 6: Pitching Your Business Idea 

• Crafting Your Presentation
• Practice & Feedback

If you have any questions or accessibility needs related to the event, please let us know by emailing: enterprising@sheffield.ac.uk.