Reviewed 30 November 2008

Patent Office advises South West graduate and student entrepreneurs on protecting their business ideas

The Patent Office will be coaching the South West's budding graduate and student entrepreneurs on how to protect and exploit their business ideas at the National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship (NCGE) Flying Start Rally on 8 February in Yeovil.

At the event, which is designed to encourage undergraduates and graduates to consider starting their own businesses, The Patent Office will explain intellectual property (IP) rights and the vital role they play in assisting the development of sustainable business. Up to 150 entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to ask the organisation's experts questions about patents, trade marks, design registrations and copyright.

Education and Enterprise Manager of The Patent Office Dave Morgan said:

"The earlier an entrepreneur realises the role intellectual property plays in the development and sustainability of their business, the more chance the enterprise has of success. Flying Start is a good platform to introduce students and graduates to the value of IP in the early stages of a business."

Lorna Collins, Director of the NCGE 's Flying Start programme said:

"After the success of last year’s Rallies, we are excited that Flying Start will be arriving in the South West this year. As students come forward with great new ideas, helping them get to grips with how intellectual property works is critical and we are grateful that The Patent Office will be joining us in supporting young entrepreneurs and helping to make their dreams a reality."

During the Rally, graduates and undergraduates from the South West's higher education institutions will also be able to pitch their business ideas to enterprise experts and receive advice on legal, marketing and financial aspects.

Editors' notes:

  1. The National Council for Entrepreneurship is an independent organisation whose aim is to raise the profile of entrepreneurship and increase the number of students and graduates (within five years of graduation) seriously considering and engaging in business start-up in all its forms, including self employment.
  2. The Yeovil event takes place at the Haynes Motor Museum between 12.00 (noon) - 18.00, 8 February 2006.
  3. Students, graduate and faculty from the majority of higher education institutions in the area will be taking part.
  4. Other organisations supporting the Rally are the South West Regional Development Agency, Business Link and Shell LiveWire.

Date of press release 24 January 2006