Digital devices mean that learning opportunities are always at your fingertips, and with the plethora of podcasts now being produced you are only ever a click away from a new perspective or inspiring idea.

With this in mind, we have picked out four of the best podcasts that all budding business owners need to plug into. Whether you’re on the bus, in the gym or cooking dinner, no time need be wasted in the pursuit of entrepreneurial success.

Have you read: Best Business Books for the Budding Entrepreneur?

1. Entrepreneur on Fire

Award-winning podcast Entrepreneur on Fire – or EoFire to the initiated – will never leave you short of inspiring material, not least because a new episode airs every single day. Yes, that’s correct: new material is published seven days a week, 365 days a year. Each episode sees the host, John Lee Dumas, interview an entrepreneur and find out more about their story – from their worst entrepreneurial endeavours (and the lessons learned) to their ‘ah-ha!’ moment and the steps taken to generate success. With over 1800 episodes (and counting), EoFire will have you scribbling down action points one moment and laughing out loud the next, John Lee Dumas creating an excellent balance of information and entertainment. And if you still find yourself wanting more, spin-off series Kate’s Take – hosted by Dumas’ partner, Kate Erickson – shares actionable advice and behind-the-scenes insights into building a seven-figure business from the ground up.

2. The Gary Vee Audio Experience

Gary Vaynerchuk is to entrepreneurship what Brad Pitt is to Hollywood: that is, a big deal. Serial entrepreneur, CEO, public speaker, author and venture capitalist (investing early doors in businesses like Uber and Twitter; talk about foresight!), Gary is also a YouTube star, hosting two shows – #AskGaryVee and #DailyVee – on his channel. In 2017, he launched The Gary Vee Audio Experience, mixing elements of his successful vlogs with keynote speeches, interviews and fireside chats specifically distilled for those on the go. Focusing on marketing, social media and entrepreneurship, the varied episode formats keep things interesting and the content is both insightful and interactive, with Vaynerchuk answering real questions from real listeners in the show.

3. Ctrl Alt Delete

Emma Gannon’s podcast, Ctrl Alt Delete, is proof that whatever the men can do, the women can too. Currently sitting at number 5 in the iTunes business charts, Gannon interviews guests she admires – resulting in warm, candid, coffee-table chats with some seriously impressive people. Her interviewees – who are mostly creative women and have included Lena Dunham, Lauren Laverne and Melissa Hemsley – discuss their work and lives with reference to the online world, creating a much-needed conversation on the pluses and the pitfalls of the Internet from a female perspective.

4. The Tim Ferris Show

You’d be forgiven for thinking that we have a crush on Tim Ferris, given that he also appears in our must read business books list. However, as the first business podcast to surpass 100,000,000 downloads, The Tim Ferris Show is more than deserving of a space in your ‘to listen’ list. Ferris started his podcast in order to improve his own interviewing skills, and intended to only produce six episodes. Nearly 300 shows later and at the top of the business charts, Ferris is proof that sometimes all it takes is giving something a go. In the podcast, Ferris interviews a diverse cast of accomplished individuals in order to deconstruct the tools and ticks of the world’s best performers. From doctors to scientists to chess masters to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the pod doesn’t just focus on startup culture but delivers lessons from all manner of industries.

Inspired to start your own enterprise but not sure if there is appetite for your ideas? Crowdfund Campus’ Sandpit platform is the best way of testing your business without any risk. Contact us today to learn more about this virtual marketplace, mapped to the QAA guidance on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

And for the young entrepreneur in 2018, knowledge is all around.

Taking steps towards business success no longer starts in the classroom and ends with an MBE; today, enterprise education is accessible to all. Whether you prefer to peruse paperbacks or plug into podcasts, wisdom and advice is always within reach – which is a good thing, given that business doesn’t come with a manual (and degrees don’t come cheap).

In this blog, we have picked out four of the best business books that every aspiring entrepreneur should read. These resources will open your mind to new ways of thinking, provide possible solutions and actions, and help you turn your vision into a reality – just as those who have put pen to paper have theirs.

1. How to Win Friends and Influence People, Dale Carnegie

One of the seminal self-help books, How to Win Friends and Influence People has sold over 30 million copies worldwide since being published in 1936 – making it one of the bestselling books of all time. Don’t be put off by the fact that it is 82 years old; it has been updated several times to ensure it tackles modern-day matters such as success in the digital world. The book primarily deals with building good relationships with people in order to increase your popularity, win them over to your way of thinking and get them to do what you want them to do – including selling to people without selling to them. Whilst it won’t tell you how to run your business, it will tell you everything you need to know to improve your performance and win new customers and clients; in short, how to sit back and watch the profit roll in.

2. The 4-Hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss

This cult book destroys old assumptions about business, including the idea that entrepreneurs have to work every hour of every day to stand any chance of succeeding. Disclaimer: it is very unlikely that any startup entrepreneur will only need to work for four hours a week on their business (and, as Ferriss notes, very few would choose to), however it does prove that you don’t need to become trapped in your business, and that you can pursue other passions as well as be successful. The 4-Hour Work Week is packed with action points to take away and apply to your life and work, including the fact that the “bank hours” we all tend to keep are not the most productive, and that since we reflect the five people we spend the most time with we should ensure they are making us stronger, not weaker. Oh, and he also presents a plan as to how to make an Aston Martin DB9 affordable. If you weren’t interested before, we bet you are now.

3. Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert T. Kiyosaki

Published in 2000, Rich Dad Poor Dad is the bestselling finance book of the 21^st century. It advocates the importance of being financially literate, independent and intelligent by making money work hard for you rather than working hard to make money. Told through a series of parables based on Kiyosaki’s own life, it explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and teaches the reader how not to be a slave to money. Kiyosaki shows how wealth can be built through your own business so that you can control your own situation and decide how much you want to work, rather than getting stuck in the cycle of working to live.

4. #GIRLBOSS, Sophia Amoruso

Sophia Amoruso is proof that there is no one-size-fits-all model for entrepreneurs. Despite having a history of petty theft, dumpster diving and no college degree, Amoruso has turned her company into one of the fastest growing retailers; an enterprise worth over $100 million. In #GIRLBOSS, she candidly shares how she built her business from the ground up, revealing what she learnt as she went along and showing how customer service is the key to everything. Less of a manual, more of a memoir, #GIRLBOSS presents an innovative and inspiring guide to modern-day business, proving the importance of playing to your strengths, learning from your mistakes and knowing when to break a few of the traditional rules.

This blog is brought to you by Crowdfund Campus: a valuable information hub and online community for student entrepreneurs. Crowdfund Campus is also the home of Sandpit, the simulated tool which allows you to test your business ideas safely through a virtual marketplace. To take your first steps towards success, don’t hesitate to contact us today to find out more and book a free demonstration.

For many, the date ‘31^st January’ is firmly circled in diaries and calendars – it’s the deadline for the filing of self-assessment tax returns. But even if you aren’t self-employed, it makes sense to think about your taxes – and your plan for handling them – at the start of each new year. After all, if you’re a budding entrepreneur with a great idea, or if you’ve already set up your own business, you’ll want to ensure that you’re taking advantage of all the tax relief available.

Keep reading for four top tips on making tax work for your start-up:

Make VAT Viable

If you’re running a business, chances are that you’ll encounter Value Added Tax (VAT) sooner rather than later. But did you know that it’s an area in which business owners – particularly those with young start-up companies – commonly lose out?

Depending on your profession and turnover, the Flat Rate Scheme for VAT can be an area in which you can make big savings. Under the terms of the scheme, instead of adding up the output VAT you’ve charged and then reducing that based on the VAT you can reclaim, you calculate what is known as your ‘flat rate turnover’ (the sales for each quarter including any VAT you’ve charged customers). You then multiply this by the relevant flat rate percentage (these are set by HMRC, and differ depending on industry).

For small businesses, this method can represent an inherent cost-saving: time. Rather than sifting through reams of paperwork – not ideal if you’re a young entrepreneur trying to fine-tune your offering – you perform a simple calculation. Moreover, the amount of VAT you owe can work out to be significantly less than the amount you’d pay via the traditional route. HMRC also offer a 1% discount during the first twelve months of the scheme.

Work from Home

Considering whether to fork out for offices for your new team? Working together – and having a proper ‘base’ – has its benefits, but if you’re strapped for cash, it could pay to work at home. Not only will you significantly reduce overheads, but also HMRC offer a range of tax savings for people working from home – and not many people take full advantage of these.

Whilst many people working from home claim back money under the ‘use of home as office’ flat rate (starting from £10 a month), there are greater benefits to be reaped. Indeed, you can claim for a proportion of many common costs, such as:

• Council tax.
• Mortgage interest.
• Gas, electricity and water.
• Broadband and phone.
• Household repairs/maintenance.

Consider R&D Relief

It’s been widely reported that not enough companies are aware of research and development (R&D) tax credits. This government initiative represents a potentially game-changing tax saving for companies that invest in innovation and development.

You’d be surprised how many companies qualify for these credits – it’s certainly not limited to big business. Better still, your start-up may be eligible for a cash payment as well as a Corporation Tax reduction under the terms of the scheme.

To claim, businesses need to attempt to ‘resolve scientific or technological uncertainties’. Qualifying activities include:

• The creation of new products or services (an entrepreneur’s bread and butter!).
• Changes to existing products or services.

Best of all, the scheme actively rewards risk-taking – your project does not need to be successful in order to qualify for the tax credits, which equate to up to 33p for every £1 spent. If you’re eligible to apply, you can claim for the following (and more):

• Materials and overheads (such as power) – anything that is ‘used up or transformed’ by the process of R&D.
• Staff costs, such as salaries and NIC contributions.
• The hire of freelancers or contractors.

Seek Professional Advice – and Spend More Time Working

When trying to cut costs, the first thing most entrepreneurs or small business-owners do is take on more work themselves – including accounting and bookkeeping. The less money you pay to others, the more you can spend on the project, right? Wrong. As mentioned before, time really is money, and the more time you spend balancing the books, the less time you have to spend on your business. Moreover, even if you’re a meticulous record-keeper, you can’t possibly be aware of all the allowances, tax reliefs and savings that might be available to you. Hiring an experienced bookkeeper or accountant could pay dividends in the long run.

Crowdfund Campus isn’t only a valuable information hub for student entrepreneurs and budding business-owners – it’s also home to Sandpit, the simulated crowdfunding tool that allows you to trial your ideas safely through a virtual marketplace. Mapped to the QAA guidance on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship and approved by universities worldwide, Sandpit has been used successfully by many entrepreneurs and educators since inception. If you’d like to learn more, don’t hesitate to contact us today to book a free demonstration.

If you are looking to launch or grow a business this year, the following healthy habits will help you take strides towards being a boss everyone wants to work for.

Ready? Go.

1. Learn something new every day.

Entrepreneurs are always hungry (and not just because they’ve worked through lunch). They crave knowledge and new information as if it is an oxygen source. Take a daily step in the right direction by committing one new nugget to mind before you leave the office. Read business books, browse the broadsheets, listen to podcasts – and actively absorb them. All entrepreneurs are dreamers, but the most successful dreamers are also doers.

2. Don’t get bogged down in the detail.

It’s important to be involved in your business, but not so involved that you can’t step back when appropriate. Remember, your role is to steer the ship, and that means spending time on what will make your company successful – working on the business, rather than in it, if you will. Of course, in the early days you may not have the luxury of extra pairs of hands, but when you get to the stage that delegating or outsourcing is feasible, do it. Many hands make light work, and the best entrepreneurs understand that hiring help is not a step backwards but a step forwards.

(Not convinced? Let Richard Branson persuade you: “Going it alone is a romantic notion, but few if any entrepreneurs ever brought an idea to life without a lot of help.”)

3. Work smarter, not harder.

Working all hours of the day – and night – should not be a badge of honour. It is not a rite of passage that validates the label ‘entrepreneur’. In fact, successful entrepreneurs prioritise balance; they immerse themselves in their work, but switch off completely when appropriate. They understand that business is important, but that family, friendships and health are more so. As such, they ensure they have ample time off to spend with loved ones, and never compromise on sleep or exercise.

4. Never feed your ego.

Building a business is not all about you. Whilst the vision and name on the masthead may be yours, a successful company is so much more than the sum of its CEO. Avoid making matters so personal that every achievement and failure is about you. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from the people who have walked the path before you. And always make time to praise others.

5. Just do it.

Nike had the right idea when they coined their famous slogan: sometimes, you’ve just got to get on and do it. If you have been sitting on an idea for a while, or have done your market research and need to act on it, then what are you waiting for? Taking tiny steps on the ever-evolving entrepreneurial journey is the only way to achieve your end goal.

Is 2018 the year you intend to start your own business venture? Whether you want to test an idea, grow your audience or start raising capital, Crowdfund Campus has all the tools you need to succeed. From our simulated Sandpit marketplace to our live crowdfunding tool, we can help you take flight. Contact us today to learn more and book a free demonstration.

If you are in the business of, well, business, it is important you feel familiar with the phrases and expressions of enterprise. Whether you are a fledgling business owner or simply an interested party (hello mum!), Crowdfund Campus’ handy phrasebook will have you speaking startup in no time.

Have you read part one: The Entrepreneur’s Phrasebook (A-M)?

The Entrepreneur’s Phrasebook: N-Z

Networking. The process of meeting new people and making connections with individuals in your industry, or interested parties (perhaps investors), to build business relationships, increase your knowledge, and expand your circle of contacts.

Outsourcing. An increasingly popular way of working in the Internet age, outsourcing is when you look to external experts for support with certain operational services (for example, accounting, marketing, IT).

Partnership. A legal form of a business in which two or more people share the profits and liabilities of a venture. Less complicated and less expensive than forming a limited liability partnership, however each partner is responsible for the debts incurred by the business – not just their own, but also those of the other partners.

Patent. A patent grants an inventor the sole right to make, use and sell something for a limited time, in exchange for public disclosure of the invention that is patented. It prevents anyone else from copying or using the same technology for the period of the patent.

Pivot. A shift in a business’ strategy, taking into account the potential for failure and so adjusting to create success. Most startups face a number of pivots in the process of finding the right customers and their positioning in the market.

Product Market Fit. Also known as PMF (not to be confused with PMT…), this is when a business has enough paying customers that the revenue exceeds expenses.

Public Relations. Part of the marketing mix, public relations (PR) manages the way a business communicates their message in order to help people understand what a company does, and create a strong and positive perception.

Sole Trader. An entrepreneur who owns and runs their business on their own (though, contrary to what the name suggests, a sole trader can employ or contract others to work for them).

Scaleable. The inherent potential of your offering. All entrepreneurs want to aim for a scaleable business that can be rolled out to a wide locale.

Scale Up. The process of expanding a business, perhaps following initial investment. Not to be confused with the noun, scaleup – the name for a small company that has expanded very quickly.

Sniff Test. An assessment of a startup’s minimum viable product (MVP) – a test product produced quickly to see if there is demand.

Sweat Equity. When, in return for their time/skills, you recompense someone with shares in your company rather than cash.

Swot Analysis. Standing for ‘strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats’, a SWOT analysis allows you to examine what is good about your product or service (strengths), what is bad (weaknesses), where and how it can be sold (opportunities), and who and what might to try stop you (threats).

Trademark. A legal form of protection for words, names, symbols, signs or colours that identify a company, product or service. Unlike patents, a trademark can be renewed indefinitely, so long as it is being used in business.

Unicorn. Coined by Cowboy Ventures founder Aileen Lee in 2013, a unicorn company is quickly valued at more than $1 billion – and considered as rare as a mythical beast.

Valuation. An estimate of the worth of a business and its assets.

Venture Capital. The finance offered to early-stage enterprises with high-growth potential. The majority of venture capital comes from professionally-managed public or private firms who seek a high rate of return.

Venture Capitalist. An individual who invests their own equity in startup businesses and small companies who predict high-growth.

This two-part series is brought to you by Crowdfund Campus – home of Sandpit, the virtual marketplace where you can test your business ideas safely through simulations. Mapped to the QAA guidance on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, Sandpit is used by hundreds of students and enterprise educators nationwide. Fancy finding out what all the fuss is about? Contact us today for a discussion and free demo.

Whether you have just started an enterprise course and are still searching for that bright idea, or you’re tweaking your investment pitch in readiness for your first round of funding (fingers crossed), it pays to be in fluent in business jargon.

Crowdfund Campus introduces the sayings and phrases all wannabe entrepreneurs need to master. Game on.

The Entrepreneur’s Phrasebook: A-M

Acquisition. Taking ownership of another business. Often used in the context of a ‘merger and acquisition’ (M&A) when one company purchases another.

Advertising. A means of attracting public attention by paying for announcements about your service or product in print, broadcast or online media.

Angels. People who support a startup financially in its early stages, using their own private capital.

Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). A measure of predictable and recurring revenue streams, such as a subscription or regular service. Typically informed by ongoing MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue).

Appraisal. A formal estimate of the value of something on the open market. Also used within the workplace to describe the annual review of an employee’s performance.

Barter. The direct exchange of goods or services between businesses, without using a medium of exchange (i.e. money).

Bootstrapping. Funding a company with your own personal resources or its existing revenues. A bootstrapped business is one which is grown without external input.

Burn Rate. The speed at which a company spends its capital, usually measured over the course of a month. Typically applied to startups to track the amount of money being lost before the business becomes profitable.

Cocktail Pitch. A succinct overview of your business that informs and intrigues in a single sentence. Useful to have up your sleeve for networking events.

Copyright. Legal protection granting the creator of original literary, musical or artistic work exclusive rights to its use and distribution for a defined period.

Corporation. A large body that is recognised as a legal entity with its own rights, privileges and liabilities distinct from those of its members. It is advantageous for big businesses to be incorporated as this status protects investors from personal liability should the corporation experience losses.

Decacorns. Companies valued at over $10 billion, such as Snapchat and Uber. The term was coined at tech industry gatherings in London and San Francisco, spawning a creature that is even more mythical than the unicorn (the creature used to represent companies that quickly achieve a $1 billion valuation).

Dragon. Dragon companies grow so successfully that they are able to return all their investment money. Stats suggest that only one in four unicorns are dragons, hence the Silicon Valley saying, “Unicorns are for show; dragons are for dough”.

Due Diligence. The process of obtaining complete and accurate information about a business in order to establish its assets and liabilities, and evaluate its commercial potential. Undertaken by any prospective buyer and/or investor.

Elevator Pitch. A short introduction to your business, theoretically delivered in the time it would take to ride a lift. In reality they tend to last around 5-10 minutes.

EBITDA. Or, in full, ‘Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation’. The acronym – and practice – was coined in the 1980s by city firms mounting buyout bids as a way of measuring real profits. By stripping out the expenses that can muddy a company’s day-to-day performance, investors can measure how much money a young company is actually making.

Exit. The act of getting out of your business, whether by selling, merging, floating on the stock market, or closing. Most entrepreneurs plan their exit strategy from the early days as something to aim towards.

Gazelle. A high-growth company with revenues that increase by at least 20% annually, over a period of four years or more.

Hockey Stick. The shape of the growth curve all entrepreneurs and investors want to see, as it demarcates a company that doubles sales every year.

Home Run. When an exit returns twenty or more times investors’ initial capital. Another sporting metaphor that proves it pays to keep your company in shape.

Incubator. An enterprise that offers workspace, coaching, and support services to startup and early stage companies, intended to speed up their growth and success.

Joint Venture. An enterprise set up by two or more parties who share the profits and losses, but otherwise retain their distinct identities and personal liabilities.

Limited Company. An incorporated, legal entity which has assets independent of its owners or investors. The owners/investors are not, therefore, personally liable for the firm’s debts. Limited companies can be privately owned (ltd) or public (plc), with the latter offering shares on the stock exchange.

Limited Partnership. A business model that draws on elements of both a limited company and a joint venture. Usually formed by at least one general partner (responsible for the day-to-day operations) and one limited partner (who cannot control or participate in the management of the partnership, but is only liable up to the sums invested). A limited partnership does not form a legal entity that is separate and distinct from its owners.

Marketing. The umbrella term for a broad range of practices and strategies – advertising, PR, promotions, pricing, packaging, distribution – that aim to enhance sales of a product or service.

Merger. The joining together of two previously separate companies. A true merger – rather than acquisition – is when both businesses dissolve and set up as one newly formed entity.

We hope this entrepreneur’s phrasebook will help you feel confident when discussing your business with investors and interested parties, whether on campus via our revolutionary Sandpit model or out and about at networking events. Be sure to check back next month when we conclude our countdown with letters N-Z.

Guilty as charged – but not anymore.

Whisk is a smart food app that helps you decide what to eat – and ensures you don’t forget any of the vital ingredients. By understanding your taste preferences, dietary requirements, and where you like to shop, Whisk uses Artificial Intelligence to recommend recipes to you, as well as save the products you require in your grocery list. No more scratching your head for a dinner party winner or forgetting that crème fraiche: this tasty technology has over 300,000 recipes, and knows exactly the one you want to cook tonight.

Read on to meet foodie founder, Nick Holzherr, and find out why, following an appearance on The Apprentice, this ideas man is no longer in the firing chair but the hiring chair.

In the spotlight:

Name: Nick Holzherr

Age: 30

Location: Birmingham

Degree: Aston University: BSc International Business and Modern Languages (2009), DSc Enterprise (honorary) (2016)

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Have you always been interested in enterprise?

I started my first mini-enterprise at the age of 10, when I collected lost golf balls at my local course and sold them back to golfers. I also ran my own micro web-design agency at 15, designing websites (including an eCommerce shop) for people locally.

At 18 I was determined to become an investment banker, until I spent a placement year at Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt. Thinking back, this was great fun, well paid, and taught me a huge amount about how to run business processes properly. The problem was that I was too impatient to work my way up the ranks, and I wanted to have more of an impact on something.

I started Co-Go Coffee instead of taking Deutsche Bank up on their job offer, turning down a few other companies as well (I didn’t fancy selling pharmaceuticals on Glaxo Smith Klein’s graduate programme, or joining Accenture). Co-Go was an idea I had whilst working at Deutsche Bank; the concept was to sell ethical coffee out of paper cups with advertising on the side, making money from coffee and advertising at the same time. Unfortunately, while the business made enough money to return a £20k loan to HSBC, the economics were flawed, and I saw pretty quickly that it was neither going to make a difference in the world, nor make me happy.

Where did the idea for Whisk come from?

The idea for Whisk was born at a hackathon when, along with my co-founder Craig, we started thinking about the grocery space and the opportunities we saw coming up. Both Craig and I are huge foodies, so it was great fun. I was taking part in lots of different hackathons (via Launch48 and StartupWeekend) at the time, coming up with proof of concepts – something I really enjoyed. I couldn’t get the Whisk idea out of my head, and Craig and I kept thinking of ways to make it better.

You appeared in series eight of The Apprentice, making it to the final. How did this help you progress Whisk from business idea to reality?

One of the requirements of The Apprentice is to write a business plan. When I reflected on all my ideas, I decided that Whisk had the best potential to make it really big, so I wrote a business plan over a few weeks and submitted it.

How did you identify your audience and market test your products?

Before writing a business plan for Whisk, we spent about a year building prototypes in our free time and testing them on different recipe websites. Craig had a full-time job consulting, and I was running another startup, so it’s something we would spend our evenings and weekends building and testing. We learnt a lot about customer acquisition and what did, and didn’t, work.

How do you spread word about what you do?

One of the key things we learnt in our testing was that getting people to look at our service was the hardest thing! So, we built that right into our model. We would work with recipe publishers who had existing traffic and add Whisk directly into their content. We’d also work with existing grocery retailers, so all we were doing was linking the two. It ended up working pretty well.

You’ve been talking about venture builders recently. What are they?

I’ve always been fascinated in investing in a portfolio of businesses and imagined that would happen once I sold my first company. The problem is that great business ideas coupled with great founders are rare. I meet some great founders, and come across some great ideas – but often not together. I had been reading a lot about venture builders and I realised that this model – where I can shape each venture and hire the team/founders – is much more appealing to me (I’m particular about the ideas I like, and how they should be implemented).

At the start of 2016, I had an opportunity to use the Whisk team’s expertise to start looking at other opportunities – and I thought, let’s establish a venture builder. In the last month we’ve started talking about the first venture to come out of this: a product called Air.

This sounds fascinating! Tell us more about Air.

I’ve run businesses since 2009 and have always been frustrated with all the admin that comes with this: crucial if you want an effective team, but a drain on time. At one point I hired an office manager to help, but that’s a really expensive (and, for us, inefficient) way of solving the issue. So I started looking for a software product to handle the HR admin – the stuff that was taking up most of my time. I found solutions, but they were poorly designed and I thought I could definitely do better.

Air basically saves business owners time. At its core it handles absences (holidays, sickness etc.), centralises employee records, stores company information, and gives people smart notifications for important dates in their company. Air also has an app store where admins can choose what to install: anything from handling expenses and pensions to employee engagement. There will be more than 50 apps when we’re done. It works like your phone: you get the basics when you turn it on and can then choose how to customise it. The result is a simple core which grows with you and your requirements.

What does a typical day look like in the world of Nick Holzherr?

Sometimes I start with a breakfast meeting at 7 or 8am to cover progress on a project. Otherwise I’ll get going at 8.30am by writing a prioritised plan for the day on paper; I think this is essential and it only takes five minutes. The other fixed part of my day is a daily “standup” meeting, which we do virtually. Everyone dials into a video conference to update what they’re working on, ask questions, and clarify plans.

Every Tuesday we have an hour’s “Roadmap Meeting” where we prioritise (or confirm priority on) all our high-level tasks. We’ve found this meeting super important – it’s aligned the entire team drastically.

I spend the rest of the day working on my priorities, which tend to be sales calls, marketing tasks, reviewing other people’s work, answering questions, or writing strategy docs. I’m still very hands on.

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

For me the hardest challenges are dealing with people you need to fire/let go – I hate that part of running a business. We’ve also had times when cash is tight, and having to slash budgets, which often involves firing people, is horrible. But it’s a huge learning curve and critical to remember that the worst-case scenario isn’t actually that bad.

And your proudest moment so far?

Honestly, I think my proudest moment is probably right now. We have an amazing team that’s working together really well. Observing how the team is super productive and achieving great results makes me really happy.

Who inspires you?

Elon Musk. I love how he’s tackling huge world problems that most of us couldn’t even imagine working on and being successful in his endeavours. I’m in awe.

Where do you hope to see yourself in five years’ time?

I’m really excited about what we can achieve – it feels like we have a lot of momentum. I think Whisk will triple in traffic/revenue in the next 12 months, and Air will hopefully be really successful. The product looks amazing.

How has your education contributed to your success?

I think having a good education to help with writing, maths, and general business skills is important and I’d recommend university education to anyone. I do, however, also think it’s important not to rely on that alone – continuous education is critical. Learn about fields that interest you and push yourself to discover new things. In today’s world, it’s never been easier to learn through online materials. Here’s a list I recommend.

What advice do you have for aspiring student entrepreneurs?

Don’t go straight for funding. To get any funding you’ll need to show some early traction and potential as a founder. If you can, try to test your idea in a small, non-scalable way, making sure there’s both a market and interest. If you can validate it by finding a competitor – maybe in an adjacent field, in a different country, or even in the same market – that’s a good thing; it means there’s likely a business in your idea.

Also, before you go for funding, ask whether you actually need it. If you don’t, you’ll keep ownership and control of your company, and certainly need to deal with less admin!

Most importantly, start doing something. The beginning is the hardest. Read Lean Startup by Eric Ries and follow his methodology.

Whisk is a food app that helps people decide what to eat through smart recommendations based on Machine Learning. The app – which has attracted over $2m in funding from technology investors – is partnered with some of the world’s largest recipe publishers and grocery retailers in the UK, US, and Australia.

And if you are a student or soon-to-be graduate, what comes next is very likely to be top of your agenda.

Well we have news for you. Forget trying to secure a place on a blue-chip graduate scheme in 2017: the new destination of choice for university leavers is a startup company.

Startups represent one of the biggest business opportunities in Britain at the moment, with over £250 million in loans being awarded by the government to small businesses since 2012. Indeed, students themselves are getting in on the action, with around 50,000 new businesses per year coming from university communities – 15% of those before the individual has even graduated. With over a quarter of students expressing interest in starting their own business, and over 600,000 startup ventures spawning each year, savvy students are spurning the corporate route in favour of something a little more creative.

With this entrepreneurial spirit looking set to soar in 2017 – and enterprise education making substantial strides in the classroom – here are three startup trends that educators and budding entrepreneurs should be keeping an eye on in the new year:

Community

Enterprise is no longer about the hard sell. People are tired of being sold to and can tell advertorial from editorial a mile off. Any sense that a company is simply trying to close a sale and the customer moves on to a competitor, stat.

What is working, instead, are companies who connect people to what they want – be that a product, a person, or a service. Whether through a website or app, or occasionally face to face, the most successful startups focus on building relationships and creating connections: buyer to seller, consumer to content, and so on. Just think of Uber and AirBnB for examples of wildly successful startups who offer community rather than commodities.

Where it was once sufficient to sell a product and secure rave reviews, businesses that want to stand the test of time must now seek to offer valuable resources that extend beyond the simple sale. The most successful will be those who are able to create a community of customers who survive much longer than the original ’event’ itself.

Engagement

According to a study by Microsoft, the average attention span of a human is eight seconds – falling from an average of twelve seconds in 2000. To put this into perspective, scientists measure the attention span of a goldfish as nine seconds. Face. Palm.

Rather than lamenting our lackadaisical interest, however – blamed, for the most part, on our over-reliance on smartphones and mobile devices – entrepreneurs must find opportunity. A growing trend that we expect to see boom in 2017 is gamification. Whether in the form of electronic games, or traditional games, the idea is to make activities fun and engaging; something that holds the consumer’s interest for longer than, well, eight seconds.

Gamification works in all sectors: from the shop floor, to the corporate world, to the classroom. Indeed, a number of innovative edtech companies have taken traditional teaching methods and shaken them up, using simulations and games as a means for engagement. The Sandpit, for example, allows students to test entrepreneurial ideas in a real-world setting with no risk. Students learn how to think innovatively and pitch for investment, and teachers see an improvement in results – all by making something seem fun and relevant.

Crowdfunding and Crowdsourcing

In 2017, we will continue to see startups focus on their services, stories, and consumers, rather than aiming for an extravagant valuation and a ton of investors. As such, crowdfunding looks set to become even more popular, allowing new businesses to bring their concepts to life with the support of their customers.

Crowdfunding enables an entrepreneur to test their ideas and see if there is a market for their business. It is a great way of promoting a new brand whilst also dipping a toe in the water. What’s more, crowdfunding offers an invaluable learning experience, allowing the entrepreneur to tweak their offering in response to what the market tells them. This test of desirability and viability makes crowdfunding one of the most powerful platforms for a startup.

Similarly, crowdsourcing – in which potential customers or people with required expertise are involved in the design, development, or manufacturing of a product – looks set to grow in 2017. With startups more interested in staying lean (and less interested in glitzy city centre offices and flashy cars), the ability to partner with multiple people across the globe in order to limit expenses (yet maintain, or improve, services) is only going to grow.

While these three startup trends only scrape the surface of what we can expect in 2017, they should give a pretty good overview of how exciting the market will be.

For advice on how to make the most of your budding business in 2017, give us a call on +44 (0)7545 898120 or drop us a line at hello@crowdfundcampus.com. Our simulated Sandpit platform is the perfect tool for introducing enterprise education to your classroom, whilst our live crowdfunding marketplace can help any student startup achieve their ambitions.

Enter Benji Fisher, budding entrepreneur and politics student, and his website Just Debate. An accessible, online political resource, Just Debate intends to neutralise the reportage of political issues, presenting all sides in an entirely impartial manner so that participants can engage in constructive, thoughtful conversations around the most contentious of topics.

As Benji puts it: ‘We interview pressure groups, charities, politicians and academics with very strong opinions on a wide range of issues, composing […] key bullet points to summarise [their arguments].

‘Just Debate not only focuses on getting views and opinions, but also ensuring that each opinion comes together to shape a better world. Many argue that our politics is governed either the elites or populist opinion but rarely are our political opinions educated. We want to change that.’

Join the debate with us now as we explore how Benji got started, and what he hopes to do next…

 

In the spotlight:

Name: Benji Fisher

Age: 20

Location: London/Birmingham

Degree: International Relations and Political Science

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Have you always been interested in enterprise?

Yes. I always wanted to do something that would have a real impact, and studying A-Level Politics at Yavneh College made me passionate and interested in the political world. My journey began in the final years of secondary education, at which point I decided to create a political magazine to help explain politics to secondary school students. This eventually developed into a website as I worked on the business plan more and more.

There have been two major political events this year with outcomes that have been shocking to some: the Brexit vote and the US presidential election. How important do you think political education is, and how does Just Debate aim to help with this?’

If you strip away the policy and personalities, what I believe influences people the most are the social constructions that surround us. It’s the conversation at the kitchen table; the newspaper headlines; the videos you watch; and most importantly the Facebook posts and tweets that your friends share.

Many of us are like ‘Bob’. Bob is fed political opinions every single day without realising, and he doesn’t even question it: these political opinions make sense to him, his close friends and family because they share a similar socio-economic background.

However, there are a small minority of people who are ‘Sarah.’ Sarah tries to put herself in other people’s shoes. She critically analyses news articles, Facebook posts and tweets. She debates, she listens. Sarah has a sound and balanced political understanding.

So, we are faced with a worldwide issue and that is the lack of political education. We need a ‘one stop shop’ for simple, accessible, impartial political debate to help put people into the shoes of the opposing side and try to study the debate properly.

This is why I set up Just Debate. Just Debate is Sarah. We have a team of 60 ‘Sarahs’, in fact, who do the research for our readers and comprise it into short, simple, impartial online pamphlets of information.

How did you progress from business idea to reality?

It all began with the student magazine, as I mentioned. I spoke to the students who surrounded me – those who were both politically aware and not politically aware – to discover what they thought about the political system and what they wanted to see. I began to develop a team from my politics course at university, a group of writers who followed our ethics and ideology about how to write articles and how we should make them accessible to your ‘Average Joe’.

I’m very much a people person, so I took my idea and ran with it, attending numerous networking events and trying to raise awareness about my idea. This culminated in agreeing a £40,000 investment with Raj Dhonata.

How did you identify your audience and market test your products?

I had a clear vision of who my product was for at the outset: young people, aged 14-21. I’ve never deviated from this, but I think the product can work for anyone.

To test the idea, I conducted focus groups with school children, and remained in constant communication with my team of politically-aware writers. I love constructive criticism and use the people who constructively (yet politely!) help improve my work – that’s been a big help when refining and enhancing our product.

You met President Barack Obama as part of your involvement with the Young Leaders UK initiative – what an experience! Tell us more – did President Obama inspire any new ideas for Just Debate?

I joined the UK Young Leaders indirectly through my work at Just Debate – it’s been a great help in growing my brand and gaining connections for my business. Meeting Obama was inspirational. He spoke incredibly well and was truly genuine.

In terms of Just Debate, the biggest thing I took away was Obama’s genuine attitude and response to questions. I want to implement the same ethos through my website with our impartial, yet educational, nature.

What does a typical day look like in the world of Benji Fisher?

I manage my team, and really listen to their feedback – as mentioned before, I love constructive criticism because it helps build a stronger product. I communicate with schools, run focus groups, and oversee the creation of our daily articles. I’m also constantly working to improve our website and product, as well as increasing awareness of our brand.

And your proudest moment so far?

My proudest moment so far was my first speaking engagement and the response from the audience: it was received so well. People were convinced by the idea, sold by my plea and it gave me a real boost to continue and strive for my political goals. But there have been some other great moments since our establishment in March, such as:

• As part of the UK Youth Leaders programme I was invited to Barack Obama’s final speech in the United Kingdom and to meet the Facebook Director of Diversity Maxine Williams.
• I was invited to the BBC Studios to discuss our site.
• We were featured in the JC, Jewish News, The IB Times and Local University Papers.
• Just Debate was accepted to the IBM Global Entrepreneurship Programme.
• And most importantly, since the summer we have gained 11,000 users who want to see what we have to offer.

What are your hopes for Just Debate and the future?

Our world is so heavily divided and confused. It is time to unite and it is time to debate justly. To do this we need to increase political education; we need to make people aware.  In five years I would love to see Just Debate introducing political education in schools across the country, creating a generation of young people who are starting to gain sound awareness about politics.

But we have only just begun: we have an early vision about how we can change our society but we need your help. We want more ‘Sarahs’ and we want people who can help expand our cause. This will be a slow process, but eventually it will work and we will finally have a society that can appropriately use our democracy and not be ashamed of it.

So in summary, before you read the Daily Mail, before you watch BBC or read posts on Facebook – Just Debate it.

 Just Debate is a unique, digitised debating platform that makes the following promises to its users:

To become an impartial resource/encyclopaedia that everyone can access to learn about any political issue; to be a useful education tool for revision or as a quick ‘digest’ of a recent, developing political issue; to explain the political issues simply with the aim of engaging people in politics one step at a time; to provide further reading once the basic foundations of a political issue have been understood.

Feeling inspired? Head over to their website today and add your voice to the debate!

Social media may have left us more digitally connected than ever before, but it doesn’t allow for chance meetings and meaningful connections in real time. Until now.

Causr is a new app that manufactures serendipity. It enables people to start a conversation with someone around them, creating a connection that would otherwise have been missed. Indeed, Causr itself was born out of a chance meeting on the tube – a meeting which spurred co-founder of Student Beans, James Eder, to take on his next entrepreneurial challenge.

Keep reading to discover more about the serial entrepreneur and learn why Causr may be your key to connecting with those people around you that you’ve not met – yet.

In the spotlight:

Name: James Eder

Age: 33

Location: London

Degree/University: Business, University of Birmingham

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming an entrepreneur. Have you always been interested in enterprise?

The idea of running a business and being an entrepreneur has always appealed to me. At the age of 13, I started my first enterprise – taking black and white photos of dogs and selling them to their owners – with my brother. M&J Photos was, however, a short-lived venture, as I took photos one week of dogs in the snow, tried to develop the film myself, and it all went wrong, so we stopped after selling only a few photos.

At 17, I created a website with a few friends at school as part of Young Enterprise – a fantastic programme which provided some amazing practical business experiences whilst I was studying for my A-levels. I did design, geography and economics, which set me up to attend the University of Birmingham to study business from 2002-2005.

I got involved in a lot of things at university, from the ski club to AIESEC, and went on work placements to the Philippines and Colombia. I was a brand manager for Yellow Pages and delivered thousands of pounds worth of sponsorship for my halls’ summer ball. All of these experiences combined led to me wanting to start a business when I graduated.

At just 22, I founded Student Beans to help students save money, and to help businesses engage with students. I worked on the business for 11 years, but have recently left the day-to-day running of the company with my brother and co-founder, Michael.

Where did the idea for Causr come from, and how did you progress it from concept to reality? Did you do any market testing?

Not long ago I was on the Underground when someone came and sat in the seat next to me. They were clutching their CV, so I asked them where they’d been and what they were looking for. A few weeks later, we were sat together again, this time in the office of my old company.

Sometime later, I needed to speak to a specific person from a specific business. I left the office, was standing on the platform at Golders Green, and happened to meet the exact person I needed to meet. I’d simply asked them if our train was coming soon, and it went from there.

These chance encounters made a real impact on my working life and it got me thinking about the other opportunities I must have missed over the years. That’s why I wanted to create Causr. The idea of manufacturing serendipity, though a challenge, was incredibly appealing. I wanted to enable people to create connections that would otherwise be missed. It’s clear to me that these all-important conversations often don’t happen because people lack confidence, or don’t feel like they have permission to start talking to someone they’ve never met before.

Causr sees past that. It’s an enabler – technology that empowers previously unrelated people to connect in real time, face-to-face. It gives people the confidence to start a conversation that may lead to a meaningful opportunity, or simply pass the time and have a chat that might brighten their day.

Our vision is to create millions of meaningful connections for people, all around the world, every day.

How did you initially finance Causr?

I registered the company in December 2015, and the first few months were all about building the product. I created an initial web app that got 1000 users and then approached a number of Angels. I closed a round of funding earlier this year to be able to build the iOS version. It’s important not to let lack of money get in your way, but it’s hard and you have to be resourceful; many businesses that get funding over-spend on the wrong things and are nowhere to be seen today.

Causr helps users connect with like-minded people around them, but how do you connect with your audience?

With Causr, the most important thing is our users and the stories behind how they connect with each other. Whilst we’re at the beginning of growing our own community – that might be on other social platforms – we’re keen to shine a light on our successes and the connections we’ve helped create. Feel free to get in touch via email (hello@causr.co) or Twitter if you have a story to share.

What does a typical day look like in the world of James Eder?

No two days are the same. From fundraising to recruitment, a breakfast networking event to speaking at a conference, no job is too small or opportunity too big to explore. That’s why I love being an entrepreneur: the highs are high and the lows can be very low, but knowing each day that people are connecting and meeting as a result of Causr keeps me going.

What advice do you have for aspiring student entrepreneurs?

They say that if you want something done, give it to a busy person. People talk about work/life balance and, whilst it is important to have balance in your life, my approach is to ask: are you enjoying yourself or not? Focus on the things that you love and it won’t feel like work. Being an entrepreneur isn’t a ‘get rich quick’ scheme or the easy route. There are lots of ups and downs but it can be very rewarding. There’s a great book called Getting Things Done by David Allen – I wish I’d known about that when I was a student as it has transformed the way I work!

What has been your biggest challenge to date?

Being a startup is hard, but the biggest challenge has to be finding a world-class team to help make your vision a reality. I’m so thankful and grateful for all the amazing people who have helped and worked with me over the years.

And your proudest moment so far?

I was named ‘Alumni of the Year’ by the University of Birmingham in 2015, ten years after graduating. It was an amazing honour. With my family in the room I gave a speech, which was not only a great experience in itself, but also a great opportunity to reflect on the last ten years and what the team has achieved.

Causr blends the social environment of Facebook with the professional premise of LinkedIn to create a springboard for real-life conversations. Do you think this hails a new era for social media?

Yes! Whilst we’re more digitally connected than ever, Causr is all about enabling face-to-face connections and opportunities that otherwise would be missed. Where Facebook is about connecting with friends, and LinkedIn connecting with professional contacts you know, Causr is about unlocking the rest of the world – connecting those people around you that you’ve not yet met. There are more people within a square mile of you right now that you don’t know than you do know, and we’re here to help do something about that.

Where do you hope to see Causr in five years’ time?

In five years’ time the aim is for Causr to be used actively around the world, connecting communities, alumni groups, and employees. You’ll be able to land in any major city, log on to Causr, see who’s nearby, and connect and collaborate.

Who inspires you?

Elon Musk is an amazing entrepreneur with a vision that is changing the world. Steve Jobs and Anita Roddick, although no longer alive, both played a part in my journey, having seen them speak. Anyone who is willing to stand for something, commit to it, and then deliver on taking an idea and making it a reality is someone I massively respect. Creating something new isn’t easy.

There’s an age-old debate about whether entrepreneurs are born or made. Do you think your degree/education has contributed to your success?

I don’t think you can underestimate the environment that you are raised in. I feel hugely grateful to have gone to a great school and university, however I don’t believe it’s about the piece of paper you attain or the grades you get. If you aren’t academic don’t let that stop you. It’s about the experiences you have, who you are as a person, and the people you surround yourself with. Don’t underestimate values and drive in what you need to be able to achieve.

And finally, if you were an animal, what would you be?

According to this site, and my own preferences, I’m a penguin. What does that say about me? Well, as a penguin I take life in its stride, not letting the big issues of the world stand in my way. I like spending time with large groups of friends and am considered a bit of a socialite, jumping back and forth between different groups of friends. However, I still have time for my family and remain close to them.

Causr is a location-based app helping professionals network on the go. Available from the App Store, log on to see who’s near you now and start networking today.