Amoo Booster Series, 29 March 2012

Last week's event was a blast! The panel engaged, and dare I say competed, for the attention of our audience. Lots of data, insight and helpful tips were given by our experienced panel on programmes and competitions for startups. A summary is that there are several support systems for startups ranging from specific programmes and networks, to incubators, accelerators and competitions. Entrepreneurs that are able to take advantage of these systems can leverage them to grow. Each has requirements, eligibility criteria and an application process. It is worth spending time to investigate one's options and finding out those that match the stage of your business, its sector and which have access to mentors, clients and stakeholders relevant to your business. Astia, IBM, Oxygen Accelerator and Wayra are amazing opportunities and are happy to hear from you directly!

Speakers Bios
Rowan Gardner (@rowan_uk) - is a co-founder of Synomics which she helped raise £5.3M of capital to develop a service level architecture for life science data integration. Synomics and Oxford Molecular were bought by Accelrys. She is also co-founder of Biolauncher that advises biotechnology and medical device businesses on how to grow and attract capital. She chairs Astia's life science advisory board in Europe. Astia (www.astia.org) is a community of experts committed to building women leader and accelerating the funding and growth of high potential, high-growth, women-led startups. To find out more please contact Sharon Vosmek on sharon [at] astia [dot] org. {Click to download Astia presentation}

Sam Ellis (@sam_ellis) - Technology Executive Manager, ISV & Developer Relations, IBM UK & Ireland. Sam manages a team of Technology Executives in IBM who work with IBM's Independent Software Vendor partners and early stage technology companies to create awareness of and drive adoption and enablement of key strategic IBM technologies, in support of IBM's "Smarter Planet" strategy. Underpinned by IBM Global Entrepreneur (ibm.com/isv/startup) the team provide technical support and resources to help build your startup business around the smarter planet market opportunity.  {Click to download IBM presentation}

Simon Jenner (@simonjenner) - is the co-founder of Oxygen Accelerator (http://oxygenaccelerator.com/) and Urban Coffee Company, which now has 2 retail outlets in Birmingham and plans for further national growth. Simon is also Head of Incubation at (Birmingham Science Park Aston) and has incubated 50+ tech startups since 2009.  {Click to download  Oxygen Accelerator presentation}

Ann Parker (@annie_parker) - COO Wayra Europe (www.wayra.org), ran the Consumer Customer base at O2 UK for just under 5 years, a c£800mil P&L, and in that time she delivered the best ever customer retention rates that O2 UK and the telecomms industry has ever seen. Recently appointed to the new position of launching Wayra across Europe for Telefonica - her dream job. Ann has previously worked in the Consulting world, predominantly on Telco launch strategy, so is no stranger to a late night or two in support of getting a product to market. Passionate about coaching and people development, Ann is also a mentor for many individuals and businesses across Europe.  {Click to view Wayra video}

Upcoming events in April are 
1) place4BRICS (Wednesday 11th April 2012): focusses on Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and will be themed "Education technologies in Emerging Markets". Click HERE for complimentary tickets.

2) Amoo Booster Series (Monday 23rd April 2012): will be on “Accounting and The Basics of Financials”. Its presentation and discussion will be led by Ian Swycher, principal at Accounting Help, who are a firm of Chartered Accountants that specialise in helping IT, software, web and service businesses. To book complimentary tickets, click HERE.