Bootcamp was a success

By [mfleming]

PLYMOUTH'S second Entrepreneurs' Bootcamp week has been hailed by organisers as a success.

The challenge, which gave seven participants five years' worth of business experience in as many days, has been described as a 'great' way for aspiring city entrepreneurs to develop their business ideas.

The week was championed by one of its organisers, Sue Windley, of Pragmatic Performance Group Ltd.

She said: "The participants were able to find out about themselves and their business ideas.

"It was a successful week. The five days were just the start of their journey."

The Bootcamp took place throughout last week – the second challenge since the city concept was launched in March 2007.

There were plenty of business activities organised for the participants – many who have already started up their own companies – throughout the eventful week.

They visited the UCP Marjon's iSpace, Dartmoor Zoo, The Herald, a business leaders' event organised by A4e at The Treasury pub, and even had a meeting with city entrepreneur Chris Dawson.

Sue Windley said: "What was great was that a lot of the 2007 Bootcampers came along and started talking business with this year's participants.

"All in all, it was a successful week."

The participants will now be part of monthly workshop meetings with Bootcamp organisers over the next year, as well as mentoring meetings to keep the Bootcampers' business ideas on track.

Sue Windley also said that an 'upstarts club' will also be held in the iSpace at Marjon 'for all entrepreneurs'.

The participants last week were Freyr Cruyws of Star Playa, Olly Daglish from Ollypop, strength and conditioning coach Charlotte Dymond, Matt Gregory of Blackcurrant Beastie, Joedy Lawrence of Independent Utilities Ltd, Neil Trigger of Myo International, and Ranhsher Sanghera, who works in social enterprise.