British Library Internet Icons event
Wednesday 26 September 2007
18.15 - 20.00 followed by a reception until 21.00
The UK internet scene has never been so exciting. The advent of Web 2.0 has opened the floodgates for new social networking sites, wikis, blogs and an array of new, user-generated online ventures. The climate for internet start-ups is electric, with entrepreneurs and investors eager to find the next big opportunity.
Do you long to be part of this action and launch your own web venture? Do you dream of being your own boss and creating a business you're really passionate about?
Take this opportunity to quiz four icons of the internet, each with a remarkable record of entrepreneurial achievement and a unique insight into what makes the difference between a 'flash in the pan' and a real online success.
This panel debate will explore key topics such as: what was the inspiring moment to go it alone? What are the crucial foundations for a successful web venture? How do budding internet entrepreneurs best secure funding?
'Internet Icons' is the latest of the British Library's 'Inspiring Entrepreneurs' series, supported by HSBC, 'the world's local bank'.
Our Internet Icons speaking live:
Martha Lane Fox is one of Britain's best-known entrepreneurs. She co-founded lastminute.com in 1998 with Brent Hoberman, floated the business in 2000 and remained on the board until the company was acquired by Sabre Holdings in 2005 for £577m. Martha is a non-executive director of Channel 4 Television and of Marks & Spencer and co-founder of Lucky Voice Private Karaoke.
John Paleomylites, is founder and managing director, BeatThatQuote. At just 40, John is already a serial entrepreneur. BeatThatQuote.com is one of the UK's fastest-growing private companies, on target to hit a turnover of £28m in its third year. In 2006 it was named "Young Company of the Year" at the Real Business/CBI Growing Business Awards and reached the regional finals in the HSBC Start-up Stars Awards.
Martin Stiksel is one of the founders of Last.fm, the social music revolution. Arriving in London from Austria in 1995, Martin's sound design company was soon producing work for MTV and the BBC. He met Last.fm co-founder Felix Miller at a gig in 1999, and the two founded the music recommendation service in 2002, which merged with Richard Jones' Audioscrobbler project in 2005 and has become one of the UK's most successful Web 2.0 ventures.
Ajaz Ahmed is chairman & co-founder of AKQA, one of the world's most respected digital agencies, which employs some 350 people with offices in New York, San Francisco, London, Washington DC and Singapore. Ajaz co-founded AKQA in London in October 1995 and today clients include Xbox, Nike, Coca-Cola, Sainsbury's and Unilever. A recognised pioneer and innovator, Ajaz is one of the most influential people in the UK technology scene.
At the British Library Conference Centre
Wednesday 26 September 2007
18.15 - 20.00 followed by a reception until 21.00
Price £10.00 (concessions £7.50)
A networking reception will follow the event and is included in the price
To book tickets to this exciting event, visit: http://www.bl.uk/bipc/inspiring.html
