University news

A free online advice service aimed at small businesses, start-ups and entrepreneurs, developed by an expert consortium including the University of Glasgow, is to be launched next month (Tuesday 13 November).

The new service, VentureNavigator funded by the UK government, aims to improve the success rate of British businesses. 

Kevin Cullen, Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of Glasgow, the only Scottish university in the consortium, said:  “Glasgow is delighted to be part of the Venture Navigator project.  We have a strong tradition of innovative support for innovation and entrepreneurs - Venture Navigator will significantly enhance that support.”

VentureNavigator will offer impartial, expert advice to businesses and provide access to a comprehensive library of resources. The dedicated website will also support an online community for businesses and entrepreneurs to network and share knowledge.

VentureNavigator will launch during Enterprise Week on Tuesday 13 November when a panel of experienced entrepreneurs and business people answer questions online from users. The online panel will include former dragon in the BBC’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ and Chairman of Library House, Doug Richard and Al Gosling, founder and CEO of The Extreme Group.

Business owners, entrepreneurs or anyone with business idea looking for advice are invited to pre-register with the service at:

www.venturenavigator.co.uk/launch

One lucky registrant will also win the chance to attend a face-to-face meeting with Annika Bosanquet, winner of the 2004 Enterprising Young Brit award and founder of wrapping and packaging company Wrapology.

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Further information:

Laura Smart
Web Marketing Manager
Research and Enterprise
University of Glasgow
10 The Square
Glasgow G12 8QQ

Tel: +44 (0) 141 330 3887

Notes to Editors:

Venture Navigator is a state-of-the-art online service designed to help start-ups and small businesses improve their chances of success. The service is funded by the UK Government Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF), ensuring that the service is free of charge to end users.

VentureNavigator was created by the Business Edge Consortium. With specific expertise in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship its members are:

University of Glasgow
University of Essex
University of Cambridge, Institute for Manufacturing
The Open University
Library House
University of Leeds
University of Liverpool
University of Warwick

First published: 29 October 2007