The Venture Matrix team hosted a successful event at Sheffield City College in March which saw Sheffield Hallam graduate entrepreneurs share their tips and expertise on running a business with young people in Sheffield.

The Enterprise Networking Event was created by Charlotte Musgrove of Sheffield Hallam's Venture Matrix and Graeme Tidd of Sheffield City College. Graeme believed that it would be enormously beneficial for his BTEC Level 3 Enterprise and Entrepreneurship students.

Sheffield Hallam graduates successfully running their own businesses were delighted to support the event and share their experiences with other young and budding business people in Sheffield. This innovative collaboration between the University and Sheffield City College had a uniquely refreshing atmosphere where the ambitions and aspirations of young business people were nurtured by successful business people of their own age group.

Entrepreneurs at the event took part in a speed networking meet and greet session then gave a series of presentations. They included

• Graduates Tom Pumford, owner of Buttercup Advertising Agency and Nathan Bestwick, owner of the design company Yormii
• Sheffield College student Joseph Panasiuk, who owns a vintage car company
• Jon Guest, a design graduate of the University of Sheffield
• Sam Wherrett of Big Live Event, who is currently studying on the placement year entrepreneurship scheme through the Enterprise Centre

The evening concluded with a Grill an Entrepreneur session during which the audience got the opportunity to fire questions at the panel. This was a very lively exchange and gave everyone the chance to find out more about running a business.

The event was a great success and a brilliant experience for everyone involved. The evening gave them all the chance to share valuable experiences and advice, expanding and enhancing the vibrant and diverse business community supported by Sheffield universities and colleges. Sheila Quairney, business and enterprise manager at Sheffield Hallam added, 'It's great to see our graduate entrepreneurs giving the benefit of their experience to younger students - and hopefully learning from them too.'