Berrbizne Urzelai
On 22nd of November 2023 UWE Bristol organized a Social Impact Hackathon, a business booster event where UWE students from various degrees and disciplines worked with refugee and migrant entrepreneurs associated with the Migrant Business Support (MBS) programme from the West of England Growth Hub and Ashley Community & Housing (ACH) to create networks and overcome barriers faced by Migrant-led businesses in the West of England.
This year, in its second edition, the event took place in the facilities that the West of England Combined Authority has in Redcliff, Bristol. It was led by Dr. Berrbizne Urzelai, Associate professor at UWE, in collaboration mainly with Julia Dixon-Barrow, Entrepreneurship & Engagement Manager at ACH and Scarlett Hagger, Project Support Officer at the West of England Combined Authority. We also had a couple of individuals from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund observing the event.
The day started with a social breakfast where all participants got to know a bit about each other. The event included a presentation from Jehad Alrefaie on the role of the entrepreneurship support programs in responding to the challenges refugee entrepreneurs face, specifically focused on the case of Syrian refugee entrepreneurs in Turkey.
In the morning the teams, composed by UWE students and migrant entrepreneurs, worked together in understanding the background of the refugees and what kind of problems they were facing, and then in deciding which issue they wanted to focus on.
The students supported a variety of projects and ventures, from an industrial trading Ukrainian company producing construction and gardening materials from plastics, to dance and health related services, food and drink products or decoration companies, all at different stages of development.
The teams pitched their solutions to a panel that was formed by:
- Pawel Capik, Senior Lecturer at UWE
- Paul Ogbon, experienced Board Member with a background in general management, supply chain and manufacturing with significant international exposure.
- Asaad Bagheri, PhD researcher at UWE
- Mose-Issie Ebengho, social entreperneur
- Diana Lopes, TE graduate and entrepreneur
There was value and learning for everyone who attended. The migrant entrepreneurs mentioned:
Quotes from migrant entrepreneurs
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The event was very helpful & very supportive. It also showed me that the help & support was an eye opener for me which help me to think out the box where I could improve. I found the event very informative. I also learnt the importance of working with great teamwork and gaining good positive benefits.
The event was a success. This event involved the students in a new and unique way. It shows how one well-run event can create a watershed moment that results in explosive pushing for future business
The students got exposed to work in real case scenarios and got really inspired to be working with and for members of the community.
Quotes from students
It was very inspiring, I met many new people and created many new connections. Having to see how dedicated these business owners were to come here as seek help it shows that you can achieve anything if you really need or what it. I learned many skills and most of all I came out of my comfort zone: how to communicate well with good listening skills, how to present in-front if a large audience, how to create solutions for problems and many other entrepreneurial skills
Going on from this I am going to look at other ways to develop consultancy skills as the event was interesting to me. There is a possible collaboration further with myself and my refugee client
The partner organizations and members of the panel were also positive about the event, so we are hopeful that this collaboration will continue in the future.
Quotes from partner organisations and panelists
It was incredible hearing the ideas from university students in different subject areas and seeing how they apply their knowledge to real life situations. I will follow up with our clients and help them to apply what was recommended to them on the day
Partner Organisation
It was lovely to observe the teamwork and communication within each group and how they interact with their client. The presentation and pitching in front of the panel was exciting.
Panel Member
The event contributed to some of the actions identified as crucial to transform support for EMBs: to develop business support to help EMBs realize their growth potential, built trust-based relationships within their communities, and foster local network of support through partnerships.
The event was not a competition but a celebration of what we can do together. Everyone involved got a UWE digital badge and the support provided by UWE and its Bristol Community Fund was crucial for its success.