Kickstart your business at British Library Start-up Day

• The speaker line-up includes: Joe Wicks and Nikki Wicks of The Body Coach; Martha Keith of Martha Brook and Business Secrets Club; Richard Shepherd, Head of Social and Economic Research at Mintel; and many others 
• With keynote addresses from Baroness Twycross, Minister for Libraries and Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation 
• This year’s edition will also feature the Doorbell of Dreams, created by HelpBnk, a video platform designed for entrepreneurs and business owners, where founders can pitch their ideas in 60 seconds
• The event forms part of Global Entrepreneurship Week at the British Library. 

On 17 November, the British Library Business & IP Centre will host its annual Start-up Day, a day filled with talks from guest speakers across a range of sectors, including Joe and Nikki Wicks, Founder and CEO of The Body Coach, Martha Keith and many more. Baroness Twycross, Minster for Libraries and Blair McDougall, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation will also be talking about the importance of start-ups to the economy and the role that libraries play in supporting inclusive entrepreneurship.

New data shows that a record number of working-age adults are either running a new business or intending to start one within the next three years. However, entrepreneurship can also be challenging, with around one in five businesses failing in their first year in the UK. Start-up Day offers support, expertise and knowledge-sharing among businesses, which has never been more vital.

Attendees will hear from experts and industry leaders about all stages of starting a business; from turning your idea into a viable plan, to financing your start-up and growing it sustainably. The speakers will reveal key lessons they learned through their own journeys and share insights on latest trends and tools such as social media, that can supercharge any business.

This year for the first time, HelpBnk will join the Start-Up Day. Event attendees will have an opportunity to practise their pitches with the HelpBnk’s team as well as pitch live on video to the Doorbell of Dreams. The Doorbell of Dreams pitches will be uploaded directly to the HelpBnk platform where their Celebrity Entrepreneurial Panel will be able to give feedback on attendees' ideas.

Joe Wicks, Founder of The Body Coach, said: ‘I am excited to be speaking at this year’s Start-up Day at the British Library, together with my brother, and business partner, Nikki. I hope that our talk on how, as brothers and founders, we built a global fitness brand, inspires and motivates entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. As a business owner myself, I love to see events like Start-up Day; it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn and meet new people.'

Isabel Oswell BEM, Director of Business Audiences at the British Library, said: ‘We are thrilled to be hosting our annual, national Start-up Day, part of Global Entrepreneurship Week at the British Library. Our speaker line-up will give attendees an opportunity to get their business idea off to a flying start withan action-packed day, featuring inspirational and practical talks on understanding your market, protecting your idea and using social media to reach your customers effectively.

Baroness Twycross, Minister for Libraries, said: ‘Libraries are vital for entrepreneurship and economic growth across the UK. The British Library's Business & IP Centre network provides aspiring entrepreneurs with free access to world class business resources, expert guidance and supportive spaces to develop their ideas. Start-up Day showcases how libraries are breaking down barriers to business ownership, ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or location, has the opportunity to turn their vision into a thriving business.’

Martha Keith, BIPC Ambassador and founder of Martha Brook, said: ‘I’m so delighted to be back speaking at this year’s British Library Start-up Day. When you’re starting a business, there’s so much you simply don’t know yet, and that’s exactly why events like this are so powerful. I started my first business with nothing more than an idea and a kitchen table, so I know how life-changing it can be to hear from others who’ve been where you are and to realise what’s possible. The Start-up Day agenda is packed with such valuable sessions to give you the insights and encouragement you need, whatever stage your business is at. It promises to be a fantastic day!’

Adam Smith, CCO and Co-Founder of HelpBnk said: ‘The HelpBnk team is thrilled to be at Start-up Day – your chance to pitch, connect, and get real help turning ideas into action! Because entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey – but with HelpBnk and the Library’s Business & IP Centre, you’re never building alone.’

The BIPC at the British Library and atcity libraries across the country run events throughout the year to support and inspire entrepreneurs; you can find out more on the British Library’s website.

Book your tickets to the Start-up Day.

ENDS 

For further information, or to request images of speakers, please contact the British Library Press Office.

Notes to Editor

About the British Library

We are the national library of the UK and we are here for everyone. Our shelves hold over 170 million items – a living collection that gets bigger every day. Although our roots extend back centuries, we aim to collect everything published in the UK today, tomorrow and far into the future. Our trusted experts care for this collection and open it up for everyone to spark new discoveries, ideas and to help people do incredible things.

We have millions of books, and much more besides. Our London and Yorkshire sites hold collections ranging from newspapers and maps to sound recordings, patents, academic journals, as well as a copy of every UK domain website and blog. Our public spaces provide a place to research, to meet friends, to start up a new business or simply to get inspired by visiting our galleries and events. We work with partners and libraries across the UK and the world to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to use and explore our collections, events and expertise. And we're always open online, along with more and more of our digitised collection.

See: www.bl.uk.

About the BIPC

The British Library’s National Network of BIPCs based in libraries across the UK and offers:

• Free access to high-quality UK and global market intelligence, customer insights and company data (worth over £5m), combined with intellectual property advice and guidance
• Free and low-cost workshops, one-to-one support and mentoring delivered by library staff and business experts
• Topical and inspirational networking events, featuring role model entrepreneurs
• Accessible and welcoming spaces with access to PCs, desks and Wi-Fi, plus co-working and maker spaces in some locations
• A comprehensive package of online support; including webinars, one-to-one business and IP advice sessions and screenings of our programme of inspirational panel discussions.