Global Tech Leader Hosts Belfast Bootcamp

Global business leader and entrepreneur Bill Aulet has delivered a growth workshop to local firms and entrepreneurs in Belfast.

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor John Finucane welcomed the thought leader, who is the current Managing Director of the Martin Trust Centre for entrepreneurship at Boston's prestigious MIT, to the region on Tuesday 08 October.

Fifty of Northern Ireland's most ambitious tech entrepreneurs got to participate in the unique business experience, a one day intensive bootcamp filled with tips to help grow and scale firms.

Taking participants through the principles of his best-selling book 'Disciplined Entrepreneurship', Bill focused on starting, growing and scaling an innovation driven business. The workshop tackled the key elements to de-risking the 'go to market' strategy by understanding customers, as well as building a strong value proposition and fine tuning the all-important selling process.

The Titanic Quarter event was hosted by Catalyst and supported by Invest NI, Belfast City Council and Queen's University.

Mayor Finucane said: "We're fast becoming globally recognised for tech development – and supporting the accelerated growth of this sector is a priority for us in Belfast City Council. It's a real pleasure to welcome such an established and respected leader as Bill Aulet to Belfast – especially since he hails from our Sister City, Boston. We highly value our partnership with Catalyst, Invest NI and Queen's University in supporting our innovative SMEs and feel sure that this collaborative approach will reap dividends for our economy."

John Knapton, Director of Growth & Scale for Catalyst added: "Back in January we took a group of local CEOs to MIT where we heard Bill deliver his Entrepreneurship Development programme to hundreds of entrepreneurs from across the world. We were instantly blown away by his knowledge, impact and no nonsense approach. After that trip I knew we had to get him to Belfast so he could inspire even more local entrepreneurs to grow their business much faster and significantly larger and after hearing the feedback, he didn't disappoint!"