Recently, Ingenuity Lab’s second Plug-in Programme was successfully concluded. It attracted 50 students across the University of Nottingham Ningbo China’s (UNNC) three faculties. Through a series of theoretical training and practical exercises, it cultivated the participants’ innovative abilities and ignited their entrepreneurial passion.
The course lasted one week and was meticulously designed to include three phases of teaching: in-class presentations, weekday online mentorship support and pitch day, providing students with a comprehensive and systematic entrepreneurial training experience. To enhance the practicality and interactivity of the programme, Nottingham University Business School China (NUBS China) specially invited international industry experts to join. With their rich experiences and deep insights, they presented a multi-dimensional perspective on entrepreneurial practice to the students, deepening their understanding of the entrepreneurial process.
On 13 April, the Programme officially kicked off. To two different class groups, keynote speakers Alessandro Di Lullo and Jim Fields delivered engaging presentations. Jim Fields, CEO of BoostBot, shared his valuable experience on startup strategies and pitching ideas. With his own entrepreneurial journey, he presented real and vivid case studies, making the course content more practical and instructive.
Meanwhile, as the co-founder of SuperCharger Ventures, Alessandro Di Lullo drew upon his extensive experience in educational consulting to delve into topics such as idea generation and evaluation, MVP development and testing, and educational technology. He also shared special tips on presentation skills to help students improve their ability to express themselves, thus better showcasing their ideas.
From 15-19 April, the programme carefully arranged a series of drop-in clinics for the students. These sessions covered topics such as data analysis and hypothesis validation, as well as how to precisely position personal value propositions, aiming to provide ample time for the students to deeply explore and refine their creative ideas. Additionally, the course featured one-on-one mentoring sessions, allowing for in-depth dialogue with the mentors to gain more targeted guidance and advice.
The 20 April marked the most exciting day of the programme: Pitch Day. In the morning, a three-hour application workshop provided a platform for practical exercises. Alessandro Di Lullo and Chair of Digital Education Council Danny Bilick accompanied and guided the students throughout the completion of their creative projects. In the afternoon, during the formal pitching session, students took to the stage to present their creative outcomes and faced the scrutiny of mentors and the audience. After intense competition, three groups of outstanding students were selected and awarded.
Ingenuity Lab aims to establish a dynamic student and alumni community by supporting and stimulating a culture of idea generation and exploration. This will help accelerate their growth in terms of business understanding and perhaps help them enter into the marketplace and move towards entrepreneurial success. The successful deliveries of this plug-in programme not only provides a valuable opportunity for participants to learn entrepreneurial knowledge and skills but also builds a platform for them to showcase themselves and engage in exchange and collaboration. Leveraging this platform, the students' innovative thinking and teamwork abilities are being greatly developed and honed.