[Innovation Week] – Lunch & Learn Masterclass: How to Turn Problems Into Opportunities – Where Great Ideas Begin
Monday, September 28, 2026 at 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Europe/London)
Online
Great ideas don’t appear out of nowhere – they start with a problem.
Whether you’re interested in starting a business, launching a social enterprise, developing a new product or simply becoming a more innovative thinker, learning how to identify opportunities is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.
Join us for this interactive Lunch & Learn masterclass with Bonnie Hacking, Programme Manager at the University of St Andrews Entrepreneurship Centre, as we explore how entrepreneurs spot problems worth solving and transform everyday frustrations into impactful ideas. Bonnie has extensive experience supporting aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators through coaching, mentoring and workshop delivery, helping individuals develop their ideas, build confidence and turn opportunities into action.
Through practical examples, exercises and real world stories, you’ll discover how some of the most successful ventures began by viewing challenges through a different lens.
By the end of the session, you’ll have a toolkit for recognising opportunities around you and greater confidence in taking the first steps towards developing your own ideas.
What you’ll learn:
- How entrepreneurs identify opportunities in everyday life
- Why problems are often the starting point for innovation
- Techniques for spotting unmet needs and market gaps
- How to evaluate whether an idea is worth pursuing
- Practical strategies for turning observations into action
Who should attend?
This session is open to all students, researchers, staff and members of the wider community.
No previous experience is required – whether you’re already developing a business idea or simply curious about innovation, you’ll leave with practical tools and fresh perspectives.
Why attend?
Innovation Week is all about exploring new possibilities, and every successful founder, innovator and changemaker starts in the same place: by noticing an opportunity others have overlooked.
This masterclass is the perfect way to kick off the week and start thinking differently about the challenges, ideas and opportunities around you.