Are you a micro or small business owner, sole-trader, an entrepreneur or start-up in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham or Nottinghamshire?

Are you a micro or small business owner, sole-trader, an entrepreneur or start-up in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham or Nottinghamshire?

We’re inviting you to join KuKu Connect for a special Small Business & Entrepreneurs’ Workshop at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) this is an important opportunity to share your experiences, connect with others and help influence how enterprise and entrepreneurship support is designed in the future, all whilst enjoying networking over coffee and pastries.

This is a free event to attend and open to all - supported by KuKu Connect

📅 Tuesday 15 September 2026

⏰ 9:30am – 1:00pm

📍 Lecture Theatre 10 (LT10), Newton Building

Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU

We want to hear from you

Whether you have previously accessed support from NTU or have never engaged with the University, your perspective matters.

The research is exploring how small businesses and entrepreneurs experience enterprise and entrepreneurship provision including teaching, learning activities, training and events and importantly, what might prevent people from getting involved.

Your insight can help us understand:

What support works well for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Where gaps or barriers to engagement exist.

How universities can make enterprise support more accessible and relevant.

What could encourage more entrepreneurs to take part in future programmes, activities and events.

We particularly welcome perspectives from women, minority ethnic entrepreneurs, younger and older entrepreneurs, migrants, people with disabilities, LGBT entreprenuers and those who may experience social, structural or economic barriers.

You don’t need to have had a positive experience - critical perspectives are just as valuable. We want to understand what is really happening on the ground.

Who can take part?

The research is open to:

Entrepreneurs aged 18 and over.

Small businesses with up to 49 employees and turnover of up to £15 million (you could literally be starting-up too)

Businesses and entrepreneurs operating anywhere across the D2N2 region, which is all of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire

Your voice. Your experience. Your impact.

This is an opportunity to contribute directly to research that aims to support the development of more inclusive, relevant and effective enterprise and entrepreneurship provision at NTU and through its partner organisations.

The study is being led by Errol Hemans, Senior Lecturer in Management and Entrepreneurship and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) researcher at Nottingham Business School, part of Nottingham Trent University.

“We’re collecting insights directly from across the region to support the design of more inclusive and accessible enterprise provision. Both positive experiences and critical perspectives are essential, and responses will directly contribute to strengthening enterprise and entrepreneurship support, ensuring it remains relevant, impactful, and responsive to regional needs.”

Important information about the research

The event is supported by Gradprenuer AI. Their support will be acknowledged in promotional materials, but the research remains independent.

How to find us

When you arrive at the Newton Building, please report to main reception, explain who you are and ask for Errol Hemans in partnership with KuKu Connect – Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs’ Workshop.

Come along, share your experience and help us build better support for the entrepreneurs and small businesses of tomorrow.

Description supplied by the event organiser.