Win £500 in the Breakthrough Awards 2017

We are delighted to announce details of the University of Brighton’s Breakthrough Awards 2017. These unique awards are made possible through the generosity of our alumni, Harvey Goldsmith OBE, JC Reid and Roger Cowdrey.

Read on to find out more about these opportunities to have your work recognised and rewarded.

The Harvey Goldsmith Breakthrough Awards For Entrepreneurship

The aim of these awards are to recognise outstanding entrepreneurial achievement amongst current undergraduate students, with one award available to a 1st year student, and one award available to a 2nd year student. The award winners will each receive an award of £500 to further their entrepreneurial activities. Harvey Goldsmith is a legendary producer and rock concert promoter who studied pharmacy at the university.

Applicants must email a personal statement (maximum 500 words) outlining evidence of their entrepreneurial achievement during the current academic year (e.g. 2016-17). The judging panel will be looking for an impact made in activities such as: Starting a student society/club; Running an event; Running a club night; Participating in fundraising activities for a charity; Setting up a cooperative; Developing a new initiative for a community organisation, or a charity, whilst being a volunteer; Setting up a community organisation, charity, or social enterprise; Setting up a business. This not an exhaustive list, and other activities can be included – the key is for applicants to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and approach.

To find out more and apply, download the entry pack (Word doc).
Deadline: Monday, 5 June 2017 (extended – was 22 May 2017)

The JC Reid Breakthrough Awards For Business Creation

These awards are intended to recognise the success of students who have taken the step to establish a business or social venture. There are two awards of £500 available. JC Reid is a former Business School student; he established Skint Records in the 1990s.

Any 1st or 2nd year undergraduate student with a business or venture that has been trading for at least 6 months is eligible to apply for consideration. The applicants can be from any discipline.

Applicants are required to email a description of their business or venture and the problems they have solved for their customers/end users (250 words maximum). They’ll also need to complete a one page business model canvas (examples can be provided if needed) and share their reflections from the first 6-12 months, including challenges faced and achievements made (250 words maximum). Full details of the entry requirements are provided.

To find out more and apply, download the entry pack (Word doc).
Deadline: Monday, 5 June 2017 (extended – was 22 May 2017)

The Roger Cowdrey Breakthrough Awards For Entrepreneurship

The awards will recognise an outstanding combination of creativity, innovation and market potential, and is open to any undergraduate or postgraduate student from the College of Arts and Humanities. They have been established by Roger Cowdrey, who is a former student of Brighton College of Education and is today an international business consultant, writer and motivational speaker.

There are two awards of £500 available – one to a current undergraduate student, and one to a current postgraduate student. Each award winner will receive an award of £500 to pursue their entrepreneurial ideas.

The judges will be reviewing each submission using the following criteria: INNOVATION: Does the applicant have an innovative idea for a new product, service, or community project? BENEFITS: Has the applicant identified clear benefits for the customers, end users, and (if relevant) environment? UNIQUENESS: Has the applicant identified their unique selling proposition(s)? SUSTAINABILITY: Does the idea have commercial potential, or does it have the potential to achieve financial sustainability in the long-term?

To find out more and apply, download the entry pack (Word doc).
Deadline: Monday, 5 June 2017 (extended – was 22 May 2017)