The Road to Renewal:
Preparing entrepreneurs and SMEs for the next normal

This October, the British Library, supported by DCMS and the Treasury, launched the Business & IP Centre (BIPC) national Reset. Restart service to enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to rebound from the Covid-19 crisis, adapt and build flexible business models and be prepared for the next normal. Alongside this, we are continuing to support people to start up and run robust businesses in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. People who start their business with us are four times more likely to succeed in building a viable business; 90% are still trading after three years, compared with an average of 50%.

Reset. Restart and the Business & IP Centre expansion form a key part of Living Knowledge: For Everyone, the British Library’s refreshed strategy to support economic, social and cultural renewal in the face of the pandemic’s extraordinary impact.

On 10 November from 11:00 – 12:00 we will be hosting a special virtual event to mark the launch of Reset. Restart.

We will be joined by the Minister for Digital & Culture, Caroline Dinenage MP, who will make the opening remarks followed by a live panel and Q&A session moderated by Alison Cork, recently announced BIPC Ambassador.

Speakers

Dame Carol Black

Chair of the British Library Board

Roly Keating

Chief Executive of the British Library

Caroline Dinenage MP

Minister for Digital and Culture

Alison Cork

Chair - Founder of Make It Your Business, entrepreneur

Sonali Parekh

Director of Policy for the Federation of Small Businesses

Nick Partridge

Head of Libraries, Archives and Information Services, Sheffield City Council

Philip Salter

Founder of The Entrepreneurs Network

Siobhan Thomas

Founder of What’s Your Skirt

Map

More Events

British Library's Introduction to intellectual property

Join BIPC London’s intellectual property information expert, Jeremy O’Hare, for this introduction to intellectual property.

An understanding of intellectual property and its protection is vital for anyone with an idea, whether it’s an invention, a brand name or a song. This online webinar will introduce the four areas of intellectual property and help you understand which may apply to you and your business.

These four main areas are:
PatentsTrade MarksRegistered designsCopyright

Kitchen Table Talks: adapting to the times with Julie Deane OBE

Join Julie and the BIPC to hear the ways the Cambridge Satchel Company are adapting to the times and how, with creativity, practicality and optimism, we can continue to move forward.

Have you found yourself spending more time than ever around your kitchen table? Maybe you’ve been collaborating with team members over video call, or swapping nights out with home-cooked meals? Luckily the kitchen table can be just the place where great ideas can be born. Take it from Julie Deane. Starting at her very own kitchen table with a budget of just £600, her company - the Cambridge Satchel Company - has become one of the UK’s greatest retail success stories. Julie now invites you back to her kitchen table to share her experiences and thoughts for the future to help your own business thrive.

Julie will cover how going back to basics doesn’t mean downgrading ambition and growth, but instead, helps create focus where it’s needed and opens doors you may have overlooked. She will discuss how gaining clarity on the business you need to be today can help you make your money and resources go further.

Getting started and seen by your new customers

This session will help you think creatively to generate the visibility and traction to establish your new business in the market.

With thousands of new businesses launching every month and more information consumed around the clock than ever before, to get your start-up noticed, you will need to cut through the noise. We’re here to tell you that although it doesn’t necessarily require a large budget, it will require planning and the ability to seize the moment.

Karen Campbell from The Small Awards will be on hand to outline some tips to help you identify what are the special and differentiating factors about your business, how you can get these messages out, and, most important of all, how to ensure those messages get noticed.

The Small Awards showcase the variety and quality among small start-ups and Karen will be joined by Fran Gubbay, co-founder of Stamptastic, winners of Best Digital Business in 2019.

When you have a clear voice about what your business does and what it stands for, it increases your chance of being heard. 18 months ago Fran decided that they as co-founders, and their personalities, needed to feature more in their business, which led to news interviews, new leads and a couple of awards as well.

Listen in to learn some practical advice on how to make your own luck for exciting marketing opportunities.

If this session is of interest then do also look at the earlier free-to-watch presentation at 09:45 – 10:30 on the latest consumer trends from market research analyst Mintel. This can help underpin any marketing strategy you develop for your business.

Inspiring Entrepreneurs: Fireside Chat with Sara Davies MBE

Join us for an inspirational evening with renowned business mogul and TV Dragon, Sara Davies MBE, Founder and Creative Director of Crafter’s Companion. Sara founded her business from her university bedroom and forged her way through the world of business – and, in her own words, she’s never done anything by halves!

Her drive, determination and inspiration have paved her way to success. She’s passionate about sharing the hard-earned knowledge, expertise and insights that she’s picked up along the way, and keeping the door of opportunity wide open for others keen to turn their dreams into a reality.

This fireside chat will be hosted by TV presenter, lawyer and Business Coach, Denise Nurse.

How to run a successful crowdfunding campaign (and raise £32,000)

London libraries are transforming the way ideas grow into successful businesses. By partnering with ten London boroughs, we are developing a community of new and existing business owners, which is free to join and open to everyone. Whether you are just setting out, need advice on protecting your intellectual property, or simply have a brilliant idea you want to discuss, we're here to guide you. Since April 2020, we have offered all of our Start-ups in London Libraries' services online, including our core workshops and virtual one-to-ones with our borough Business Champions, many of whom will be hosting sessions during Start-up Day. To find out more about Start-ups in London Libraries and how to join our thriving business community, visit bl.uk/SiLL.

As people look for less traditional routes to finance, crowdfunding campaigns are becoming more and more popular. During this masterclass, we will hear from a start-up business, Bottle Farm, who, earlier this year, used a crowdfunding platform to successfully raise £32,000 for their innovative indoor farm and garden kits.

They will be interviewed by our Start-ups in London Libraries SME Champion for Southwark, Dean Williams, who will discuss with them what they did to achieve this success, their top tips for any other start-up business thinking of obtaining funds this way, and what they would have done differently.

Dean will also share this 5 top tips to ensure you have the best chance of raising funds, especially in this current climate.

The Road to Renewal: Preparing entrepreneurs and SMEs for the next normal