Upgrade Masterclass: How to start and run a business

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Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Venue: Viceroy Room, The Grosvenor Hotel, 101 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0SJ
Price: free

Do you want to get tops tips from successful entrepreneurs?

Join ProFundCom co-founder and Kingston alumnus, Paul Das (Electronic Systems Engineering BEng) and fellow alumni guests for a panel discussion and networking event exclusively for Kingston alumni and students. The panel have been there, done that and seen it all before - and want to share their experience to help you avoid the pitfalls and seize the opportunities.

In addition, you will have the chance to meet panellists on a one-to-one basis in our ‘business ideas clinic'. 

Our panellists 

Paul Das

Paul graduated from Kingston University with Electronic Systems Engineering BEng. In 2003, he co-founded ProFundCom, with the aim of providing a compliant digital marketing platform exclusively for financial services. The technology uses AI and machine learning to help financial firms target new investment and is used worldwide by leading financial institutions. Paul also co-founded Clearview Financial Media, which is the world leader in news, awards and events for the wealth management and private banking sector. Paul is an alumni mentor as part of Kingston University's Beyond Barriers mentoring scheme. 

Janet Milner-Walker

Janet is a passionate and highly experienced expert in the beauty industry, she has an MA in Strategic Marketing from Kingston University. She has over 20 years' experience working across international markets for blue-chip beauty, luxury goods companies and retailers including Harvey Nichols, Body Shop, Boots, Marks & Spencer and the De Beers Group, developing beauty brands from ‘concept to shelf'.

She founded Bespoke Advantage as a brand management company in 2017, based in London they work with early stage businesses, entrepreneurs and established companies to build and grow purposeful brands and businesses that have a positive impact on people's health, beauty, well-being and state of mind.

Valérie Aelbrecht

Valérie graduated from Kingston's MSc International Business with Entrepreneurship programme in 2015. Originally from Belgium, she moved to the UK to pursue her entrepreneurial dream: starting a food business focused on high protein meals. After graduating, Valérie first worked for a food start-up called Nix&Kix to gain experience and build up a network. In 2016, she decided to take the leap and start ProToGo, an online food delivery business that provides healthy meal-boxes to companies, gyms and individuals. The company has been growing steadily and turned profitable in 2018. Recently in August, ProToGo merged with another company called Tart London, a bricks & mortar food business. Valérie is now co-owner and COO of the joint business.

About Upgrade Masterclass

Kingston University Alumni and Kingston Business School present a collaborative series of events for alumni and students. The masterclasses explore a variety of different areas, with the intention of developing skills and 'upgrading' everyone who attends.

For further information about this event:

Contact: Kingston University Alumni
Tel: 020 8417 3178
Email: alumni@kingston.ac.uk