BIG IDEAS 2022 to explore opportunities for post-pandemic innovation and business growth

by Startacus Admin
BIG IDEAS is a one-day in-person and live-streamed event aiming to inspire existing businesses to explore new possibilities and to encourage early-stage startups and founders to embrace new emerging opportunities.
Covid-19 forced us all - businesses and individuals alike - to adapt and change quickly, however the reality is that this change was coming anyway. Therefore, now as we consider our post-pandemic world, we need to embrace that change, continue that disruption and use it as a foundation to build on for the future.
Nurturing and driving that change is the focus of BIG IDEAS, a one-day in-person and live-streamed event, taking place at The Playhouse, Derry on Monday 7th March as part of Derry and Strabane Enterprise Week 2022.
Drawing on digital innovation & best practice both locally and from around the world, the ethos of BIG IDEAS 2022 is to inspire existing businesses to take a fresh look at where they are at and explore new possibilities and also to encourage early-stage startups and founders to embrace new opportunities that are emerging.
Delivered by Startacus and in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, BIG IDEAS 2022 will consist of a series of inspirational sessions with keynote speakers, panel discussions and an interactive workshop on 3 core themes:
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Accelerating Ideas & Innovation
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Digitalising the Traditional - how businesses can use tech to change how they operate and increase the value they offer
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Creating Societal Change - People, Places, Environment
Key speakers, panellists and additional event partners will be announced over the coming weeks.
Aiming also to showcase and champion innovation within the island of Ireland, up to 10 early-stage startups from NI and ROI that align with one of the event’s themes, offer innovative solutions and show real growth potential will have the opportunity to compete in the BIG IDEAS 2022 startup pitch competition. Further details of the competition including judging panel, prize fund and the application process will be announced shortly.
BIG IDEAS 2022 is a follow-on event from LevelUP, a 2-day hybrid event that took place during last year’s Derry and Strabane Enterprise Week.
Alastair Cameron, co-founder of Startacus said: “We are thrilled to be organising and hosting this event and competition during Enterprise Week. Although we have seen our local businesses facing lots of challenges over the last couple of years, we have also seen real resilience and tenacity. Nurturing that resilience and supporting existing and new entrepreneurs will be vital as we shape and build our post-pandemic society and economy”.
“At BIG IDEAS 2022 our aim is to focus on the future, to showcase innovation and creativity and to inform, inspire and encourage local people and businesses to explore the new opportunities which are emerging.”
Head of Business with Council, Kevin O’Connor said: “Creative thinking and innovation are essential to any thriving economy and there is a strong focus on developing new business concepts at this year’s Enterprise Week. I am delighted that we have turned a corner in terms of our economic recovery, but there is certainly a long way to go and we must continue to support local companies as they continue to adapt and respond to the changing demands of a new business landscape. We are delighted to partner with Startacus once again at this year’s Enterprise Week, and to draw on the expertise of leading business figures who can share learnings and help to inspire and encourage those just entering the business arena.”
Book your ticket to attend the live event on 7th March at the Playhouse, Derry.
Or, if you’d prefer to attend one of the sessions remotely via zoom simply follow Startacus on Eventbrite to get the heads-up when the streamed sessions go live for event registration!
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Published on: 10th February 2022
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