University students, mentors, investors and experienced entrepreneurs from throughout the UK are kicking off Enterprise Week with Student Enterprise '05, a national student enterprise conference in Bath, UK, Friday, 11 November at the University of Bath's Students' Union. 

Highlights include students in an "elevator" talking up their best new business proposals in a lively "elevator pitch" competition, workshops and speeches by young experienced entrepreneurs, and a networking reception at the historic Roman Baths.   Nationally regarded entrepreneurs and university enterprise leaders also will take the stage to cover their own inspirational entrepreneurial stories of how they overcame the start-up hurdles to create success.

The free one-day National Student Enterprise Conference has been student-led and student-organised by the University of Bath Students' Union's entrepreneur club, Banter.

The SETsquared Partnership, the collaboration of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey, is the organizational sponsor of the Conference and the Roman Baths' reception.   The SETsquared Partnership generates successful enterprise and entrepreneurship in southern England by creating and supporting new technology businesses, working with the wider business community by providing access to the universities' knowledge base and mentors and equipping students with entrepreneurial education and strong business skills.

"Universities have a paramount role in educating the UK's enterprise generation, and entrepreneurs are a vital key to securing and strengthening the future of the UK economy," said Neil Bradshaw, Director of the Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey's SETsquared Partnership. "Together, the four universities are giving students the best tools for entrepreneurial success by capitalising on our collective resources and by sharing best entrepreneurial education practices, our mentor network and expert consultancy with our students.   With opportunities like the National Student Enterprise Conference, university students will develop the skills, knowledge and networks necessary to achieve their own thriving businesses."

For general enquiries and conference registration, please contact: www.bathstudent.com/enterprise or enterprise@bath.ac.uk.