HATCH is a one-day deep dive developed specifically for early-stage founders (and those still exploring an idea in their notes app on their phone). This time, we welcomed a group of five women with ideas as varied as their backgrounds, spanning mental health, biomedicine, childcare, and circular manufacturing. Together, we worked through the Lean Canvas, asking the hard but helpful questions that help shape an idea into something viable.

In classrooms across the New England North West, a quiet revolution is taking place. Students as young as Year 9 are developing sophisticated solutions to some of agriculture's most pressing challenges, proving that fresh perspectives and creative thinking can unlock innovations that the industry desperately needs.

Attendees learnt how to develop a strong visual brand identity (how to choose colours, fonts, and images that reflect their business’s unique personality), create captivating logos and branding elements, design eye-catching social media graphics to engage their audience, produce attractive marketing materials to promote their business.

Sam Cathcart (SJN Rural) delivered a free 2-hour workshop to help equip small rural businesses with the knowledge and tools to successfully identify, apply for, and manage government grants specifically designed for rural businesses.