RISE 2015, organised by students at the University of Bristol, has attracted some of the UK's most influential and innovative ethically-minded business people to provide workshops, case studies and skills sessions, all aimed at helping people to develop their own social enterprises in the future.
It comes as a new report* reveals one of the lasting impacts of Bristol's year as European Green Capital could be up to 10,000 new jobs, a collective saving of nearly £1 million a day in the city’s energy bills and achieving a series of ambitious environmental targets.
To mark European Green Capital 2015, many of the social enterprises which gave Bristol the edge over the rest of the competition will be sharing their words of wisdom.
They include Julian Okoye, Head of Business Development for GENeco, the award winning recycling and renewable energy company that has implemented several award winning innovative green projects, including the bio-bus - popularly called 'the Poo Bus' - which showcases the possibilities of transport powered by human waste.
Also speaking at RISE 2015 is Saf Nazeer, the co-founder of , a new social network that connects people who want help with those who can help for free. The pilot was launched in Bristol earlier this year and has grown to over 2,000 users in the city with people helping each other on a daily basis.
Andrew Garrad, Chairman of , has been confirmed as the keynote speaker. Also joining the line-up for 2015 is Annabelle Hunt from charity , which sells ethical bottled water to fund safe drinking water projects in developing countries, and Chloe Tingle, the founder of , a not-for-profit social enterprise selling reusable sanitary products which was recently named .
There will also be a panel debate discussing sustainability entitled 'Ways to Go Green'.
RISE 2015, which takes place in The Richmond Building - home to the University of Bristol Students' Union (Bristol SU) on Queen's Road, has been organised by the student enterprise networks and . It's sponsored by and .
It's open to anyone who wants to debate, exchange and launch new ideas, from students who aspire to run their own social enterprise to local business professionals.
Claudia Limpert, Bristol Hub Student Support Officer, said: "The RISE conference is set to be better than ever this year. We've got some really exciting speakers confirmed, and students will be able to learn about the inspiring social enterprises that are right on their doorstep. This year we are also including a panel discussion, where attendees will be encouraged to join in the debate and get their questions about social enterprise answered."
Tickets are now on sale, priced at £8.50 for students and £15.50 for members of the public. You can buy tickets on the . Refreshments and a free lunch are included.