Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship events

The Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship (BCfE) events provide opportunities for open debate on the most pressing issues on entrepreneurship, SME development and self-employment.

Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up (EMM)

Based in Liverpool? Interested in entrepreneurship and networking with entrepreneurs? Join our free-to-attend Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up.

Date:       Thursday 23 October 2025
Time:       5.30-8.00 pm
Place:      Sir Peter Rigby Centre for Enterprise, Foundation Building,  Brownlow Hill, L69 7ZX 

The first Entrepreneurs Monthly Meet-up (EMM) of this academic year is focused on women in entrepreneurship and should appeal to those either involved in or are interested in pursuing a career in entrepreneurship and building their networks.

Women in entrepreneurship are a growing, vital force for economic growth yet they face barriers such limited access to finance, and bias which can hinder their ability to start, sustain and scale their enterprises. 

For this Meet-up, we have invited female entrepreneurs and thought leaders from diverse backgrounds to take part in a panel discussion. They will share their experiences of how different forms of entrepreneurship can support economic independence,  create social impact, and leave a lasting legacy for women of all ages. 

Speaker panel:

• Yasmina Ibragimova, University of Liverpool alumnus and founder of Yamoratti - a creative marketing agency specialising in influencer and social media campaigns
• Dr Sylvia Forchap Likambi, founder of Global Visionary Women Network and Voice of Nations CIC, a female empowerment and transformation organisation supporting less privileged and disadvantaged women and girls
• Dr June Williams that runs Street Holistics - a holistic therapies practice that helps to heal physical, emotional and mental pain.

We will also host representatives and members of the Global Visionary Women Network (GWVN) who will be joining the October EMM as part of Global Women's Leadership Summit taking place in Liverpool the same week to provide further networking opportunities for those participants attending the Meet-up.

The GWVN is a global platform and pressure group that helps empower women in business, and facilitates national and international collaboration, knowledge exchange and investment opportunities among its members, with the summit bringing together women leaders, visionaries, entrepreneurs and pioneers to affect change. 

Following the panel discussion, there will be the opportunity to network informally with other entrepreneurial individuals whilst enjoying free food and refreshments. 

If you are interested in setting up your own business and networking with like-minded individuals, don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the very best entrepreneurs and independent businesses in the Liverpool City Region.

Register your place here

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Workshop

'Navigating your future - increasing capacity and stimulating interest in developing entrepreneurship research with impact'

Are you an Early Career Researcher or Doctoral student working in entrepreneurship research who would like the opportunity to develop a research strategy that embeds impact into your projects?

Open to:  Early Career Researcher (ECR) or PhD student (PGR) from the University of Liverpool and other institutions, who are currently engaged in or keen to understand how to contribute to entrepreneurship research through engaged scholarship.

Date:    4 -5 December 2025 (2 days)

Time:   9am – 4.30pm (both days)

Cost:    Free to attend. Book your place.

Travel costs are not included. Accommodation is available for participants travelling from outside Liverpool City Region (day one) and a limited number of bursaries are available for ECRs/PGRs travelling from a distance and need to stay in Liverpool the night before the event.

Place:    Hope Street Hotel, 40 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9DA

Event details

The main aim of this free, two-day workshop is to provide a space where senior scholars with editorial experience, policy researchers, and present and past ESRC Case PhD students will work collaboratively with you to understand and address the future of entrepreneurship research through engaged scholarship.

It will consider methodological toolkits beyond traditional primary data methods and will provide you with insight into the opportunities and practical challenges of using secondary data, as part of a research design, to embed impactful research and attain advice on how to manage such challenges.

We encourage participants to learn from each other, engage in peer-review opportunities to present their research ideas, and develop critical thinking in dedicated developmental sessions. 

Workshop preparation involves the submission of an extended abstract (2,000 words maximum) summarising your research to be emailed to Dr Zeineb Djebali and presented during the two-day workshop.

The workshop will also support participants in building relationships and developing networks with colleagues both at early-career and senior levels for future collaborations and to shape the future entrepreneurship research agenda.

Throughout the two days, facilitators will be on hand to provide guidance and support and ensure the smooth running of the event.

Submit your abstract

Please submit your extended abstract (2,000 words maximum) summarising your research by email to Dr Zeineb Djebali,  z.djebali@liverpool.ac.uk by 20 October 2025. Accepted abstracts will be presented during the workshop.

Keynote speakers

• Professor David Audretsch, Professor and Ameritech Chair of Economic Development at Indiana University
• Professor Diane Holt, Chair in Entrepreneurship, Professor in Management and Organisations at Leeds University
• Professor Paul Jones, Professor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Swansea University
• Professor Robert Blackburn, Director of the Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship at University of Liverpool
• Professor Dilani Jayawarna, Professor of Entrepreneurship at University of Liverpool, will be joined by PhD and post-PhD students, Thahfah Thaha (University of Liverpool), Dr Katherine Neary (Liverpool John Moores University) and Dr Lee Wainwright (Durham University). 

To take part, you must register your place here, where you can also view the full agenda.

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Seminar series 

Are you a researcher, policymaker or analyst interested in entrepreneurship research. Join our free-to-attend Brett Centre for Entrepreneurship (BCfE) Seminar Series.

'Entrepreneurial ecosystem performance. The missing link' 

The BCfE is delighted to welcome Professor David Audretsch, Distinguished Professor, Indiana University for its first BCfE Seminar Series of this academic year. Professor Audretsch's talk will focus on entrepreneurial ecosystems. 

Date:       Wednesday 3 December 2025
Time:       1.30-3.00 pm
Place:      SR5, University of Liverpool Management School, Chatham Street,  Liverpool, L69 7ZH.

Abstract: 

The focus of both thought leaders in business and policy as well as scholarly research in creating and developing entrepreneurial ecosystems has been on the most salient factors and resources conducive to entrepreneurial success, along with those actors, firms, organizations, institutions and policies providing them.

However, the disparity in entrepreneurial ecosystem performance remains a puzzle.

Why do some entrepreneurial ecosystems thrive while others struggle and fade?

This research suggests a missing link that has eluded both scholars and thought leaders in business and policy that makes the difference between entrepreneurial success versus struggle – the extent to which the entrepreneur feels supported by the entrepreneurial community.

Using longitudinal data from tech entrepreneurs between 2021 and 2025, two complementary NLP techniques are applied: topic modelling, to trace evolving themes in entrepreneurial discourse, and emotional dimension analysis, to capture shifts in affective tone.

The analyses show that across this turbulent period, entrepreneurs increasingly expressed—through their narratives—the importance of Psychological Capital (PsyCap)—resilience, hope, self-efficacy, and optimism—as well as their sense of belonging to entrepreneurial communities.

Grit serves as a psychological catalyst strengthening the impact of Psychological Capital and community belonging on entrepreneurial performance.

Both the theory and findings suggest that while providing the requisite resources, factors and interactions spurring entrepreneurship may be important, the missing link to entrepreneurial success may lie in the realm of the entrepreneur’s relationship to their community.

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Save the date: 11th Annual Entrepreneurship as Practice Conference 2026 

Date:  7-10 April 2026 

Place: University of Liverpool Management School,  Chatham Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZH

The aims of the conference are to advance our understanding of entrepreneurship-as-practice, foster network ties, facilitate collaborative writing relationships, and build a strong community of practice scholars.

More information coming soon.

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