With less than two weeks to go until Start-up Day, the chance to boost your business for free, we reached out to some of our delivery partners who you can expect to meet on the day to find out more about what you can expect, as well as get some business insights and advice.

Whether you're just starting up, looking to grow or simply have a brilliant business idea, Start-up Day is for everyone. Find out more and book here.

Become informed, inspired and empowered

"Starting your own business – and succeeding in it - can be both daunting and lonely, but also really rewarding. Start-up Day is the ideal opportunity to become informed, inspired and empowered. You can enjoy a day of talks and advice from entrepreneurs and business specialists, plus it’s a great way to meet and network with like-minded, budding business owners like yourself.

I will be co-hosting the event, which means I’ll get to welcome everyone, introduce our amazing speakers and get to meet and talk with many of the wonderful attendees between sessions throughout the day.

My advice to someone starting out is to pick a business that is related to your passions, talent and heart. This will ensure that you really have that energy and drive that you will need to succeed. It is also vital that you research, attend events, get informed and test the water of your ideas.

The Business & IP Centre is the ideal way to do that with all sorts of resources, information, one-to-ones, webinars and events to help you. Finally, take care of yourself and your health and foster a healthy mindset – see it as an ongoing learning journey, not a short sprint."

- Rasheed Ogunlaru, Coach, Speaker and Author

Fresh ideas and unique approaches

"Start-up Day is an invaluable opportunity to gain insights from a diverse group of industry experts in an engaging and inspirational setting. I strongly encourage you to attend sessions led by professionals from sectors outside your own, as their perspectives can provide fresh ideas and unique approaches to your business or concept.

As a business advice partner of the BIPC, I’ll be participating in the speed-mentoring sessions, where you’ll have the chance to connect with a variety of experts and receive tailored guidance and inspiration specific to your goals. This fast-paced format is designed to be dynamic, enjoyable, and highly creative.

So what are you waiting for?"

- Peter Schonbeck, Founder of Productschön Consulting

Turn your potential into performance

"Start-up Day is a fantastic opportunity for business owners to gain valuable insights, network with like-minded individuals and access resources that can significantly boost their business growth.

I'm excited to offer a dynamic speed mentoring session on Start-up Day, where I'll delve into the intricacies of marketing, sales, and business growth. With a focus on practical, real-world strategies, attendees will leave with personalised insights and actionable plans designed to propel their businesses to new heights. It's all about turning potential into performance!

If you're looking to start-up, my advice is that consistency is key. Develop a clear marketing strategy and stick to it, while remaining adaptable to changes in the market."

-  Rebecca Thomson, Director of Local Marketing Made Easy   

A raft of free business support

"Start-up Day is an amazing opportunity to access a raft of free business support and guidance from industry experts, including inspirational talks and speed mentoring, all in one place

I will be taking part in the two speed mentoring sessions where entrepreneurs will get the chance to seek advice from myself and a team of mentors. We’ll be covering areas such as intellectual property, business strategy, routes to market, marketing and finance.

My advice to someone starting up would be to develop a business plan that is underpinned by market research. Your research should help you to understand the market segment you plan to operate in, identify any problems/pain points that you can provide solutions to, identify your target customers and key competitors. The BIPC is a great start with access to sector specific market research databases, free of charge."

- Alison Lewy MBE, Founder of Fashion Angel  

Entrepreneurial inspiration

"Start-up Day is an event of entrepreneurial inspiration and practical advice. On the day I'll be hosting a session focused on food and hospitality businesses. Whether you're thinking about selling homemade cupcakes or opening a full-scale coffee shop or restaurant, I'll answer your specific questions.

One key piece of advice I always emphasise is to start small and test your ideas in the market before launching on a larger scale. This approach allows you to refine your concept and minimize risks."

- Vasken Jermakian, Foodication Restaurants Ltd

It's fast, fun and very creative

"Start-up Day is the perfect chance to hear from multiple experts in a fun and inspirational way. Definitely make sure to check out experts from industries that are not your own, as they might give you a new way of looking at your business or business idea!

I will be part of the speed-mentoring sessions, where you get to meet all kinds of experts and get inspired by their advice and ideas related to your business. It's fast, fun and very creative.

My advice to someone just starting out is to set aside time every week to think strategically, maybe an hour or so, then every month a whole day. So many people get caught up in the doing-doing-doing without giving themselves time to think about the big picture or learn more so they can do even better. Start-up Day is a great opportunity to think and learn for a day."

- Melissa Addey, Author and Writer

Network as much as possible

"At Start-up Day you'll meet new people, share ideas and learn something too. No matter what stage of business you're at, networking and getting out and about are key!

I will be on hand to help guide entrepreneurs and share some of my 20 years of business experience.

My early stage business advice is firstly to network as much as possible with potential partners, funders, suppliers and of course customers. Secondly, test your idea before officially going to market as it can save a lot of time and money in the long run."

- Michael Murdoch, Founder of The House

Start-up Day takes place at the British Library on Tuesday 19 November. You can discover secrets to success from renowned industry leaders like Charlie Bigham, network with like-minded entrepreneurs and get a professional headshot to enhance your brand. Plus, you can explore our dedicated BIPC area in the British Library and connect with industry experts at our speed mentoring sessions. Book now.

You can also join us later for an inspiring evening with TV Dragon and business mogul, Sara Davies MBE. You'll hear about her journey to success and get the chance to ask her your burning questions. Book your tickets here.

Today is Halloween, the spookiest day of the year, when our thoughts tend to turn to the dead and other horrors. It’s the perfect time of year, then, to discuss a fear all of us surely have: taphophobia – the fear of being buried alive. 

Putting aside the very remote possibility of falling afoul of a drugs cartel (your line of work depending), someone could be buried alive accidently if they are mistakenly presumed dead. This is not as farfetched as you may think, and a quick google search will return some very worrying news stories on the subject. 

Being accidently buried alive was probably far more likely before the advent of much of the medical technology doctors employ today, which may explain the abundance of 19th century patents on the subject in our collection. Below are a few of our favourites. 

US 81,437 of 1868 – Improved burial-case 

This patent is for a coffin with a detachable vertical tube, which, while attached, creates a means of escape for any poor occupant not quite ready for the grave. Air inlets allow anyone alive inside the coffin to breathe freely and a sliding glass lid allows those above ground to check for movement. 

If the occupant is too weak to ascend the ladder, they can ring a bell for attention using the cord placed in their hand during burial.  

If, after a certain length of time, it is clear the occupant of the coffin is indeed dead, then the tube can be removed (closing the spring-loaded lid of the coffin) and used in another burial. 

 

US of 329,495 of 1885 – Burial-casket  

This invention consists of two removable pieces of apparatus (an air pump and an alarm system), which are connected to a coffin buried under ground. Both are activated when a wire attached to the occupant’s hand detects movement, flooding the coffin with air and alerting those above ground to come rescue this poor soul pronto. 

The tube of the alarm apparatus also doubles as a way to view the face of the body within the coffin, by means of a lightbulb and a reflector. 

Again, when death is more certain, the above ground apparatus can be removed and used in another burial.

 

US 500,013 of 1893 – Coffin signal 

                               

This invention is intended to alert those above ground that someone is still alive inside a coffin, but it feels a little too easy to miss. But we’re skipping ahead. Mechanisms are placed on the body, hands, and head of the coffin's occupant, and are designed to detect the slightest movement. If movement is detected, a spring-loaded device will raise a signal above the coffin. Looking at the patent illustration, this appears to be a mop. Luckily, this also opens a passageway for air to enter the coffin, as it could be some time before someone happens to walk by. 

 

GB 4,626 of 1896 – Preserving dead bodies from decaying  

No picture for this one (and preventing premature burial is only a side benefit), but it is one of our favourite British patent specifications, that just so happens to be perfect for Halloween, with lines such as: 

 'In fact it will lessen the horror of dying in knowing that when we die our bodies will be preserved and not be a meal for worms, insects, rats, mice and the like. Spirit will also revive the seeming dead.' 

 Anyway, one for the pickling fans out there. 

US 658,247 of 1900 – Apparatus for preventing premature burial 

This invention is unlike the others, as it’s designed to be used pre-burial. 

It’s quite an ambitious patent really, as it describes an ‘observation chamber’ with tracks on the floor (for ease of movement of the coffins) and side rooms for a furnace and an air pump. 

In the centre of the main room sit several airtight ‘observation receptacles’ (complete with glass tops), into which the coffins are wheeled (also complete with glass tops). An air and exhaust pipe ensure a steady flow of fresh air to the potentially still alive occupant. The exhaust pipe leads to the furnace, meaning any ‘obnoxious or infectious gases’ are drawn off and burnt. 

As in other patents, an alarm system is placed inside the coffin to detect any movement. Then it’s a case of waiting. Either for the occupant waking up, or for a clearer confirmation of death. In which case the body can be buried safely. 

 

Bonus patent: US 208,672 of 1878 – Improvement in coffin-torpedoes 

This invention is slightly off topic, but it’s being included as a bonus as it is on the theme of burial and, quite frankly, sounds bonkers. The torpedo (stay with me) is placed inside a coffin prior to burial and is designed to go off if anyone attempts to remove the body – severely injuring or killing the grave robber. Good luck with that one future archaeologists! 

It would probably also be useful for those worried about zombie resurrections as well. 

Happy Halloween! Hopefully no one reading this will wake up wishing you had one of these someday. 

 

 If you want to find out more about how the different kinds of IP can benefit your business, you can sign up to our online webinars or attend our Kickstart Your Business workshops. 

Written by Steven Campion, Subject Librarian at the British Library

Secret spells and hidden brews, tricks of the trade make treats anew. Who would have thought IP (intellectual property) could be so magical?

One type of IP is more unknown and mysterious than all the others. Its hiddenness makes it special and used in the right way can be just as powerful. It’s called a trade secret and is a type of IP protection that can be pure business alchemy.

 

What is a trade secret?

 

In a nutshell, a trade secret is confidential business information that has value. Or, to put it another way, anything secret you’ve created that you wouldn’t want to lose to a competitor! It could be something like a hidden process, recipe or even an algorithm that powers the performance of a programme. This is also known as proprietary information.

Trade secrets are different from patents in many ways, although both need to be kept confidential (for patents until the patent application is eventually filed).

 

Nearly every businesses will have some kind of commercially sensitive information, so being aware of that and understanding its value can be an important first step to protecting it. A trade secret is the thing that could really provide you with a competitive edge.

In the UK, trade secrets come under two types of law; the common law of confidentiality and information that by definition falls under the Trade Secrets (Enforcement, etc.) Regulations 2018.

Common law confidentiality arises when ‘information with the necessary quality of confidence is imparted in a situation imposing an obligation of confidence’.

You can see them both as mutually complementary with some overlap. Both aspects carry a strength, just like a two-headed hydra. Think of a witch’s brew, filled with spooky secrets and bubbling with powerful potential.

 

What are some famous trade secrets?

 

There are so many trade secrets concealed around the world, but some are more famous than others.

Does anyone really know the secret formula for Coca-Cola? Apparently not (although it hasn’t stopped other brands from trying to work it out). In the company’s own words, ‘the formula for making Coca-Cola is a trade secret. We have protected the special taste of Coca-Cola for more than 130 years. Only the Coca-Cola Company knows how to make Coca-Cola’.

The mystique behind the Coca-Cola formula is so famous, that the company has it locked away inside a vault on display in the Coca-Cola museum, Atlanta, USA.

 

 

Trade secrets are actually quite common in the food and drinks industry. Think of all those secret recipes handed down over generations. There is hidden knowledge to making the perfect chocolate brownie, malt whiskey or even a colonel’s secret fried chicken recipe made from 11 herbs and spices. KFC’s original secret recipe is what they claim makes their chicken so ‘finger lickin' good’. For both of these brands, it is magical marketing in its messaging too.

However, what if your trade secret isn’t cooking, but computing? Yes, there are plenty of secrets in technology too, especially software. Search engines such as Google (parent company Alphabet) have built an entire business model on algorithms that effectively rank information for ease of finding.

The algorithm has been developed and refined over many years of testing and trading. Recent news of a leak of an AI related trade secret have sent the company into a tailspin resulting in a criminal case been filed. Part of a secret was out.

Any leak of a highly guarded secret can bring major consequences for any company and so protecting these secrets becomes paramount. Once the witch’s secret cat is out of the bag, it’s out. Therefore, businesses will do everything to protect their secrets with the legal equivalent of an ancient curse.

Woe will to any soul who breaks the secret seal on any trade secret! The curse will come through prosecution.

How to protect your trade secret

Which raises a pressing question, how does a company or individual protect themselves from having their secrets stolen?

The answer will depend on the circumstances, and professional legal help is always advisable. Generally the secret is best protected in-house by firstly limiting exposure to a set number of individual(s) on a need to know basis only. Therefore, every company should have a confidentiality process in place backed up in employment contracts.

 

Physical and electronic security is an absolute must, depending on how the secret is kept.

Furthermore, before any sharing of a secret to a third party it is highly advisable to protect it with a non-disclosure agreement.

Trade secrets are unregistered intellectual property rights. This simply means there is no register of them or requirement for application. This is unlike patents, designs and trade marks. Controlling access to the secret is through contracts based on the law of confidentiality and specific regulations covering trade secrets.

This in some circumstances can be an advantage over patents. A patent, although initially secret will eventually be published before it can be granted to the inventor. The quid pro quo is then a monopoly on the technology or technique for twenty years. If you want to look at alternative ways to protect your process, then exploring trade secrets as a viable alternative could be the way to go.

If you’d like to find out more about the magic combination of all the different types of IP, then our Introduction to Intellectual Property workshops and webinars will do the trick.

Spook your competition and keep your trade secrets close

Your trade secret is truly a magical thing that spooks your competition. It has all the mystique you need to creates an aura of mystery in your business and spellbind your customers. They will want to keep coming back for more, hooked on the power of your hidden magic.

So this Halloween, do not be scared to find and use your business’s secret spell. The treat is always in a secret trick.