Startup Essentials with Creative Entrepreneurs

Curated by Creative Entrepreneurs, this three-part course will cover several essential aspects of setting up a creative business: how to network effectively, legal basics, and finance. Through seminar discussions led by experts and hands-on activities, participants will learn the skills and knowledge they need to begin to turn their creative ideas into business reality.

Session One: How to Network

• Overview – what makes things happen today - the power of connection

• Preparation – defining goals, research, preparing marketing materials

• Networking in action – lay of the land, strategies & techniques

• Harnessing trust and reciprocity – cultivating long-term relationships

Session Two: Financial Basics for Creative Startups

• Accounting basics – information tracking and financial planning

• Tax basics – corporate tax overview, HMRC, VAT, SEIS

• Fundraising basics – friends and family, angel investment, startup loans (crowdfunding to be mentioned, but not covered in detail)

Session Three: Legal Basics for Creative Startups

• What are the common characteristics of creative industry businesses?

• Company basics - key considerations on setting up, organisation and share structures

• People basics – employees, freelancers and consultants how to incentivise and retain key creative individuals

• IP basics – IP overview, understanding what you own and how to exploit and protect it

Creative Entrepreneurs brings together, for the first time in one place, the resources, inspiration and networks creative people need to turn their ideas into successful businesses.