2023 The Year of New (ad)Ventures
Join us for the launch of the new Digital Greenhouse Startup Academy
As we launch forwards into 2023, many of us have our sights set on new goals, are laying out our targets and have high aspirations for the year ahead.
Here at the Digital Greenhouse, we are doing the same, building on the success of 2022 and launching new services and schemes to support venture building across the Bailiwick.
Working with over 200 entrepreneurs last year, the DG continues to work to cultivate an environment where people can collaborate, network and grow new ventures. How do we do that? By bringing together individuals, businesses and community groups into an exciting and diverse ecosystem.
2022 saw the launch of Guernsey’s first Venture Challenge, a business accelerator with a targeted 6-week mentoring programme, working with venture-building experts Blenheim Chalcot. With £65,000 of seed funding up for grabs, 8 local businesses were shortlisted for the final pitch night. GVC returns this summer, with £70,000 of funds available to those next in line looking to accelerate their businesses.
This year we want to open more opportunities for Islanders to realise their big startup ambitions. Our goal is to make it even easier to get started on your new business and have the right support when you need it. New ideas and innovative solutions are abundant, so let's put the structures in place to support them!
Kicking off this April, we are extremely pleased to be running a full-scale Startup Academy. Working with Blenheim Chalcot’s Red Team, the Academy will operate over a 10-week period, immersing entrepreneurs in developing their ventures. This kick-start programme is specifically designed for early-stage businesses in Guernsey with growth ambition! The programme will see experts in the field share insider know-how, tips, tricks and essential elements for investment and go-to-market strategy. The Academy will fuel the next wave of innovative startups in the Island and support them to ‘nail, then scale’ their ventures through a range of structured sessions and workshops.
Ahead of the Academy, for those inspired to start thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, testing your ideas and constructing your business plan can be daunting. At the Digital Greenhouse, we run a series of Starting Up Saturdays to give people a dedicated time to focus on their idea, providing the tools and techniques to establish those foundations and helping to build a support network. This has proved to be a winning combination with excellent participant feedback.
As 2023 gets underway, we look forward to welcoming new entrepreneurs into our programmes and for those looking to refresh, reangle or pivot their business this year, we have a host of local and international mentors ready to provide you with personalised support. Our Business Mentoring Scheme encompasses a breadth and diversity of knowledge from building businesses on the Island, reaching new markets and gaining investment.
I am a strong believer in the innovative and creative mindset of people in the Island and we are so often blown away by the level of ingenuity in the new concepts being developed here. As with all our programmes at the Digital Greenhouse, we remove barriers to entry by working to ensure all support is provided without charge. We want to see anyone who has the drive and determination to start their venture, set their goals and achieve them.
