A NETWORKING event will bring together local startups, business influencers, entrepreneurs and experts from across Northern Ireland.
The free to attend AIB Startup Academy Summit will offer practical business advice and learning opportunities from industry experts including leaders from Google, Grant Thornton and start-up specialists Xcell Partners.
A special panel discussion will also take place with leading business personalities including hotelier Bill Wolsey, Diane Roberts from Xcell Partners and Colman Equity as well as Eleanor McEvoy, founder of Budget Energy.
As one of only four events across Ireland this year, Belfast’s summit will take place in LIFE Church on February 9 with other events being held in Galway, Cork and Dublin.
AIB and First Trust Bank have developed the comprehensive programme to support entrepreneurs and start-ups. Now in its third year, the AIB Start-up Academy comprises of a competition to win a place on an intensive 8-week training programme and ultimately a €200,000 prize package, a nationwide series of regional summits and tailored bootcamps – all of which have been designed to help startups take their business to the next level regardless of their level of experience or stage of development. Ten start-ups have already been chosen for the competition with the four remaining places up for grabs across the four summits.
Speaking about the event, Des Moore, Head of First Trust Bank said: “We are delighted to host the second AIB Start-up Academy Summit in Belfast and believe it is a fantastic opportunity for local start-ups to network and socialise with like-minded entrepreneurs and to learn from well-known and successful business leaders. We will discuss issues important to the start-up community – whilst also sharing tips and advice from a range of experts and successful entrepreneurs about their own start-up journeys.
“We want everyone who attends this evening to take away something which helps them grow their business, whether it be a nugget of information from our panel of experts, advice or a free business tool from our partners as well as a host of new business contacts.
Last year’s event was a great success and now with a bigger venue and an impressive range of experts on hand we hope to deliver an evening which is a highlight of the local start-up calendar.”