StartupCafe

According to the forces of the universe, this week is Global Entrepreneurship Week! As it was very aptly put to me yesterday, ‘I have no idea why a gloomy week in November is supposed to incite entrepreneurship…’ but we’ll run with it for now. There’s a real mix of things to choose from this week, whether you’re in the mood for a reception, workshops, meetups, or award ceremonies. In the Entrepreneurship Week spirit, we’ll be kicking off some new features here at StartupCafe as well.

ERI 40th Anniversary Reception: Monday 16th Nov, 11am-1pm at Playfair Library

Edinburgh Research & Innovation, the university’s research and commercialisation (technology transfer) office, celebrates 40 years of exciting activity. Achievements in that time include developing the first genetically engineered vaccine against Hepatitis B, creating the Smart Wheelchair for children with severe disabilities, and pioneering the use of amniocentesis in pregnancy to detect birth defects. The party features an exhibition of the commercialisation highlights and I’m hoping there will be some free food/drinks as well. It’s open to all University of Edinburgh staff and students, and you do not need to register.

Negotiating Skills Workshop: Tuesday 17th Nov, 9am-12pm at Apex House, 99 Haymarket Terrace

Getting ready to strike a deal and still working on your poker face? Business Gateway offers this negotiation workshop for startups – I have no idea what it will be like, but register online here beforehand.

OpenCoffee Club: Wednesday, 18th Nov, 10am at Informatics Forum Roof Garden

An excellent choice of venue for this monthly meetup, you can find all sorts of business folks at OpenCoffee Club. Enjoy the informal setting intended for entrepreneurs, business folks and investors to drop in and network, and kick-start your morning with extra tea, coffee, and biscuits. Access the roof garden from the 4th floor, and stick around as long as you like – no need to RSVP or show up on time, but you can join the group on meetup.com to keep track of some of the new faces.

Business Startup Workshop: Wednesday 18th Nov, 12-2pm in LAUNCH.ed offices, 3rd Floor Alrick Building, King’s Buildings

Know someone who should get their business started and join you in living the good life? Or are you still kicking ideas around? Learn everything you need to know to get your business off the ground, including tax, VAT, registration, bookkeeping requirements, and many more juicy details. Space is limited. Pre-book your slot by emailing brian.baillie@ed.ac.uk.

Mobile Apps Meetup: Wednesday 18th Nov, 6:30pm in the Informatics Forum MiniForum 1 (2nd Floor)

The new meetup group dedicated to mobile applications is hosting its second event this week. Whether you’re an app developer or someone with an idea, join in and get to know the others in this space. Meetings will follow an informal Tech Meetup style, with a couple of short presentations on a relevant theme, an opportunity to meet others interested in mobile applications, and free pizza and beer (the magic recipe). Optional RSVP, but feel free to just show up. Meet in the Forum lobby to walk up together.

Aberdeen Tech Meetup: Wednesday 18th Nov, 6:30pm at North Side Meston Buildling, Aberdeen Uni

A monthly must for anyone in the tech startup scene – developers, programmers, entrepreneurs, students, community members, and curious bystanders. And hey, our very own Kate will be presenting! Plus there will be free pizza and beer =). No RSVP or tickets needed, it’s a very open and inviting bunch.

Theory of Digital Objects: Thursday 19th Nov, 4-6pm at UofE Business School LT5

A talk from LSE Professor Jannis Kallinikos, Chair of Research in the Information Systems and Innovation Group, Department of Management. According to the brief, Jannis ‘will put forth a few ideas on how to theorize information-based artefacts that, he suggests, may have important implications for research and the ways we understand the involvement of such artefacts in social practice.’ It’s a bit on the academic side but seems like good mental preparation for the open source awards.

Scottish Open Source Awards: Friday 20th Nov, 6:30-9pm at Informatics Forum

A celebration of folks that have contributed to the open source community and who have successfully used open source code in their software. In addition to the awards, there will be a keynote from serial IT Chairman Ian Ritchie and free food and drinks aplenty. There is one ticket left at the moment – claim it now.

MIT Global Sales Workshop: Friday/Saturday 20th-21st Nov at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt Campus

MIT and 3Com’s Ken Morse returns for yet another kick-ass workshop to help tech startups in Scotland achieve high growth. This two-day session is about mastering global sales strategies, and from my anecdotal experience, entrepreneurs are exhausted but well equipped by the end. You need to meet some basic requirements to get a spot, but it’s incredibly free (subsidised from 495) if you qualify – Informatics Ventures will pick up your tab. I’ll be along to help out at this one, they are always entertaining as well as hugely valuable. Slight chance you could get a last minute spot (email Andrew after reading the details), but otherwise keep an eye on future dates.

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And the hot tickets to get your hands on:

SICSA DemoFest: Tuesday 24th Nov, 5pm (all the hot research and advancements in informatics coming out of Scottish universities).

Winning Through Innovation: Wednesday 25th Nov in Edinburgh, also Tuesday 24th Nov in Glasgow, 9am-1:30pm (a fun Scottish Enterprise conference with a good set of speakers).

TEDx Edinburgh: Thursday 26th Nov, 3pm (Note this TEDx event is not aimed at startups, but with a theme of Local Models of Participation, Inclusion, and Sustainability perhaps it is of interest to some of you).

Alex Ohanian Masterclass on Internet Startups: Thursday 26th Nov, 1-5:30pm

Showcasing Scottish Mobile Talent: Monday 30th Nov, 6:30pm

Edinburgh Jelly: Thursday 3rd Dec, 10am-1pm (a new fun way of working)

Sean Foote Masterclass on Social Enterprise: 3rd Dec, 1-5:30pm