University of Portsmouth recruits 11 more entrepreneurs to join its Entrepreneurs in Residence programme

In the latest Business Talk column, we look at how the University of Portsmouth has recruited an additional 11 entrepreneurs to join its Entrepreneurs in Residence (EiR) programme that offers business start-up advice to students, staff, alumni and its Innovation Connect business community.
Josh Robinson, one of 11 more entrepreneurs to join the Entrepreneurs in Residence programmeJosh Robinson, one of 11 more entrepreneurs to join the Entrepreneurs in Residence programme
Josh Robinson, one of 11 more entrepreneurs to join the Entrepreneurs in Residence programme

The 11 new entrepreneurs are:

Simon Gardiner

Rebecca Beard

Kay Coombes

Ben Fisher

Andrew Martin

Jeffrey Lawrence

Marianne Withers

Shaheed Peera

Adrian Norman

Ana Ambika Pindoria

The EiR programme consists of 30 experienced entrepreneurs and senior level business executives who use their experience to help others plan, develop, network and market their new business.

In return, the EiRs benefit from access to research, events and partnerships across the University.

The EiRs engage in activities including mentoring student businesses, guest speaking at public events, advising on obtaining funding and working with staff and alumni who are seeking to commercialise their research.

Jaimes Harrington, Small Business Coordinator who manages the EiR programme, said: ‘I am really excited that we have our newly-appointed entrepreneurs to join the EiR family.

‘Each entrepreneur offers their unique expertise, a willingness to share their experience and all have a passion for working with the University.’

If you are a University alumni or member of our Innovation Connect business community and wish to access the EiRs expertise, please contact [email protected].

Discover the world of extended reality for enterprise

Businesses and other organisations from across the region are invited to a free networking session with extended reality (XR) experts, to discover how they can benefit from new technologies.

The University is home to the Centre for Creative and Immersive eXtended Reality (CCIXR), the UK’s first fully-integrated facility to support innovation in the creative and digital technologies of virtual, augmented and extended realities.

CCIXR is funded by £5.2m investment – including £3.6m from Solent LEP – and through its eXRe Project (Enabling XR Enterprise) is offering organisations in the region FREE access to world-leading advice and technology.

Attendance at the eXRe Networking Event, at the Spinnaker Tower from 7pm-9pm on Wednesday March 9 is free and delegates can:

Find out about the different types of XR technology

Meet CCIXR experts

See demos of XR technology in action

Discover how their organisation can get involved with the eXRe Project and access free XR workshops and advice

To find out about this and all our events, visit port.ac.uk/events.

The Enterprise Programme: University needs your help

Have you run, or been a key part of, a successful business and are now looking to give something back?

If so, the University is looking for mentors for our Enterprise Programme. The Programme is aimed at helping students, staff and alumni develop an enterprising mindset and skills, think in a more entrepreneurial way, become self-employed, be the boss, or start a social movement.

You don’t need any formal qualifications to be a Mentor. However, you will need to have started your own business or initiative, and be able to listen, critically analyse and provide coaching. Training will be provided.