Published on 28/02/2022
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BSEEN Showcase 2022
  • The BSEEN Showcase 2022 was a celebration of student and graduate entrepreneurs in Birmingham at The Custard Factory on 17 February
  • The event highlighted the work of 40 entrepreneurs who have benefitted from BSEEN’s award-winning 12-month start-up support programme
  • The showcase welcomed students, university staff, mentors, and members of the wider Birmingham business community.

Over 300 people gathered at Factory Works in The Custard Factory, Digbeth on 17 February for a celebration of student and graduate entrepreneurs in Birmingham.

The BSEEN Showcase 2022 highlighted the work of 40 entrepreneurs who have benefitted from an award-winning 12-month start-up support programme which helps participants to make their ideas a reality through expert training, mentoring, funding and a supportive entrepreneurial community.

Businesses featured at the exhibition included Chefiesta (a diverse meal prep company), Hummingbird (software platform connecting investors with startups in the developing world) and Musson Marketing (a social media management agency).

A full list of exhibitors can be found here.

The showcase welcomed students, university staff, mentors, and members of the wider Birmingham business community.  It also featured food from local independent business Baked in Brick and live music from The Benjamin Love Trio, an ensemble of students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. 

The event was opened by Paula Whitehouse, director of the Aston Centre for Growth, who welcomed attendees and shared some of the key achievements from the project which has supported over 1000 individuals to start a business since it started in 2012.

This was followed by talks from two BSEEN businesses. The first was Davies Okeowo, founder of Novel innovative accounting platform, sharing stories of his entrepreneurial journey both in Nigeria and here in Birmingham. Attendees then heard from Leigh Purnell, founder of Petalite, a company that is revolutionising electric vehicle charging.

Mica Gray, founder of Making Space for Us, said:

“I had such a great time exhibiting the mindfulness and wellbeing work I’ve been doing at the #bseenshowcase yesterday.

“It was a great event to meet people and I talked so much about the workshops and resources I’ve been creating my voice today is hoarse. It was first time taking part in something like this and it was really motivating.”

For more information about BSEEN, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development fund, or to get in touch visit: www.b-seen.biz

Notes to Editors

About Aston University

Founded in 1895 and a University since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiaries – students, business and the professions, and our region and society. Aston University is located in Birmingham and at the heart of a vibrant city and the campus houses all the university’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Saskia Hansen is the interim Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.

Aston University was named University of the Year 2020 by The Guardian and the University’s full time MBA programme has been ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking. The Aston MBA has been ranked 12th in the UK and 85th in the world.

For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)74469 10063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk

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