Successful business entrepreneurs will be passing on their experience in a series of free lectures organised by the University of Bedfordshire’s Knowledge Hub.

The Basics of Building a Business (B3) programme will provide people who have dreamt of starting their own business with business skills and practical experience of turning an idea into reality.

Lectures will be presented by business leaders who have set up their own companies, or have been involved at the start-up stage of a new business.

The lectures take place in a relaxed and friendly environment and are open to the local community, new businesses, students and staff. Sessions explore the practicalities involved in starting up a business and topics include legislation, marketing, e-commerce, networking and business relationships, creativity and innovation, and understanding customers’ needs.

James Bonner, a University of Bedfordshire student, attended last year’s sessions and explained why he found them so inspiring. “The speakers made me realise how much fun business can be. They gave me the practical knowledge and skills you need when starting a business – from business plans to marketing, to really simple ways of saving money, or even gaining funding from venture capitalists.”

The hour-long lectures will take place on Thursday evenings at the University’ s Luton campus on Vicarage Street from 15 October 2009, with two sessions taking place at the University’s Bedford campus. Doors open at 6:15pm, and lectures begin at 6:30pm.  

For a full line-up of speakers and to register visit www.beds.ac.uk/knowledgehub/b3