GEW is all about making connections to new opportunities, new people and new ideas. Sometimes you need to be in a new space, either physical or mental, to make that happen.
This week-long campaign reaches hundreds of thousands of people every year, and for some, a conversation or a meeting at a GEW event will be the catalyst that allows a nascent idea to grow into a fully formed business.
So we are excited to be partnering with popcorn-makers, PROPERCORN, who are opening the doors of their London HQ during GEW and offering five people free desk space, mentoring and as much popcorn as they can eat while they work on their business ideas.
PROPERCORN is a hugely successful UK startup. Founded just six years ago by 33-year-olds Cassandra Stavrou and Ryan Kohn. The award-winning snack brand is now stocked in 14 countries, with their and entrepreneurial team young team producing some 3 million bags of popcorn per month. This year, PROPERCORN was listed as the 5th fastest growing independent business in Europe.
During GEW the five winning entrepreneurs will enjoy breakfast and lunch from the in-house chef at PROPERCORN, grab coffee with the company’s founders and workshop ideas whilst sitting alongside their team of 40. A great place to be if you are an aspiring entrepreneur with a kernel of an idea in your back pocket.
We caught up with the co-founder of PROPERCORN Cassandra Stavrou, to ask why, with a growing business to manage, she is on such a mission to inspire and support the next generation of entrepreneurial talent.
“Myself and Ryan are not all that far from the start line ourselves and we certainly wouldn’t be where we are today if it wasn’t for the benefit of other people’s time and advice. We want to offer these people focused help where they need it, whether in finance, sales, marketing or operations,” she says.
“Starting your own business might sound full of glamour and adventure but the reality, for most, is far from that. I found the early days of starting my own business massively lonely and spent hours working from my mum’s kitchen table on my own. I’d have given anything to have had a buzzy office environment where I could reboot and get inspired.“
We’re so pleased that Cassandra and the team are supporting GEW and the next generation of entrepreneurial talent in this way.
Stay tuned to hear what exciting ideas pop out of this fantastic initiative.