 Ready, Set & Pitch: A Morning of Innovation in Nottingham
On 28 August, Ready, Set & Pitch event took place in the Nottingham City Library, bringing together a vibrant mix of emerging businesses, experienced panellists, and supporters from across the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Delivered as part of the Shared Prosperity Fund initiative, the event aimed to give local businesses a platform to test their investment pitches, gain valuable feedback, and take a confident step forward on their growth journey.
The panel featured three seasoned experts Lewis Stringer, Kirsty Sisson, and Martin Sandhu who generously shared their insights and offered constructive feedback to each of the pitching businesses. Their contributions played a key role in helping founders refine their messaging and better understand investor expectations.
Six innovative businesses took to the stage to present their ventures:
- SmartFix
- Environpro LTD
- Venture Rating AI
- Sustainable Extricko
- Anteam Ltd
- SOE Health Ltd
Each pitch showcased a unique solution to real-world challenges, reflecting the creativity and drive of Nottingham’s entrepreneurial community.
The event was not only a celebration of local talent but also a valuable learning experience for all involved. Attendees left feeling inspired and more connected to the region’s growing innovation ecosystem.
Starting in Business Programme Group 19
📅 13 & 14 October | 🕙9:30AM - 3:30PM | 📍 Online
This programme is available to individuals based in Nottingham City, Nottinghamshire, Lincoln City, Lincolnshire and Leicester City. *
This two-day programme of workshops led by one of our experienced business trainers will teach you the nuts and bolts of starting and running a successful business.
Over the course of the programme, we will cover:
- Knowledge, skills, and characteristics needed by successful business owners
- Sole trader, limited company, partnership – which is best for you?
- Your legal responsibilities as a business owner
- Marketing your business
- Understanding tax, National Insurance and VAT
- Record keeping and business banking
- Start up and running costs
- Planning your personal survival budget
- How to price your product or service
- Importance of cash flow forecasting for your business
 Futureproofed: Building the Agency that Thrives Tomorrow
📅 Tuesday, 9 September | 🕙10AM - 3PM | 📍 Online
Futureproofed is an immersive, high-impact programme designed to help forward-thinking agency leaders define, design, and deliver the next evolution of their business.
Through a powerful mix of expert talks, peer-to-peer masterminds, and strategic 1:1 coaching and advisory support, this programme guides you in answering the critical question: what must your agency become to remain relevant, resilient, and remarkable in the years ahead – given the dynamic and technology centric market that awaits us
Whether you’re navigating change, scaling up, or reinventing your positioning, Futureproofed gives you the clarity, support, and strategy to evolve with confidence.
What’s included
- Keynotes & Fireside Talks
Insights from leading specialists in strategy, AI, talent, brand, operations, and AI*.
- Mastermind Sessions
Curated peer groups solving shared challenges in real time.
- 1:1 Strategic Coaching
Bespoke advice tailored to your unique agency journey.
- Action Planning & Advisory
Practical guidance to turn future vision into focused execution.
 Utilising ChatGPT for your Business
📅 Tuesday, 16th September | 🕙9:30AM - 4PM | 📍 Holiday Inn Nottingham
Are you intrigued by the potential of artificial intelligence for your business? Have you heard of ChatGPT and want to know how it can help streamline your operations and improve your marketing?
This one-day action planning workshop is designed to introduce you to the powerful world of ChatGPT. This workshop is a fantastic opportunity for business owners and marketing managers at SMEs to understand and adopt AI in their business strategy.
ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a leading language model that can transform the way your business interacts with customers, deals with inquiries, and even creates content. However, many businesses still need to leverage this technology to its full potential. This workshop is designed to bring you up to speed with what ChatGPT is, how it works, and how you can use it to give your business a competitive edge.
What’s covered:
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Introduction to ChatGPT and its capabilities
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Understanding prompts
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How to use ChatGPT for content creation
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Case studies: Successful implementation of ChatGPT in businesses
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The future of ChatGPT and Generative AI
What outcomes will be achieved?
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An understanding of what ChatGPT is and how it works
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Insights into how ChatGPT can revolutionise your customer service and content creation
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Practical tips on how to integrate ChatGPT into your business
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Knowledge of ethical considerations when using AI in your business
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Confidence to use ChatGPT in your business with hands-on experience
Create Growth N2 – Immersive Innovation Programme
📅 Monday, 22 September | 📍 Nottingham University
3 day programme + bespoke small group & individual support.
This intensive 3-day programme is part of the Create Growth Nottingham project and delivered at the Virtual & Immersive Production Studio at the University of Nottingham. Participants will discover the powerful potential of harnessing immersive technologies in your business.
Suitable for: Game design & development companies, digital content development, Film, film related businesses, theatre tech support organisations, Marketing, brand development and promotions companies.
Participants will learn:
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Innovation and Growth: Learn how to leverage immersive technologies to introduce new revenue streams and drive innovation.
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Practical Skills Development: Gain hands-on experience with industry-leading tools like Unity, Unreal Engine, motion capture, and AI.
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Creative Asset Creation: Build a portfolio of immersive digital assets to enhance marketing, training, or product development.
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Networking Opportunities: Collaborate with industry experts and peers to expand your business network.
 Growth Voucher: Your invitation to apply for £2,000 of expert advice
Thinking about adopting new technologies or processes in your business? If so, you might wish to consider applying for a growth voucher under the Nottingham Accelerator project.
Growth vouchers offer up to £2,000 of specialist training or consultancy support in any area where you can demonstrate that new functionality or processes will support AI & Digital or Sustainability in your business. Examples include but are not limited to: AI; CRMs; Decarbonisation; E-commerce; Finance; Marketing Operations; Social Media; and Websites.
The first step is simply to complete the registration form
A Business Adviser from East Midlands Chamber will then be in touch to support you through the process. You can learn more about the Accelerator project on the East Midlands Chamber website.
Growth Voucher support is subject to eligibility and application.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and delivered by East Midlands Chamber.
SEEKING INVESTMENT, A GUIDE FOR SMES
📅 Tuesday, 23rd September | 🕙12:00PM- 1:00PM| 📍 Online
Hosted by: Tracy Sherratt, Senior Manager, UK Network – West Midlands, BBB
Guest Speaker: Roderick Beer, Managing Director, UK Business Angels Association
Are you an entrepreneur looking for investment to grow your business? Or, are you exploring how to become an angel investor to support the next generation of innovators?
Join the British Business Bank and UKBAA this Autumn for a complimentary three part webinar series focused on angel investing in the Midlands.
For SMEs exploring angel investment as a funding route, how to prepare and where to find support.
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