Entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to win prizes

Credit: Philip Bedford

A portable painting device which allows wheelchair users to express themselves through art was chosen as the winning idea in the Santander University of Brighton Ideas Competition 2017.

The painting device, called ‘enABall’, was invented by product design students Benjamin Taylor, Benson Pocock, Pete Barr, George McPherson and Eli Heath. Judges awarded the team a prize of £2,000 and a package of business support to develop their idea.

Second prize was awarded to fashion graduate Danielle Reynolds who has designed a range of stylish high-visibility wear for horse-riders. Jaspreet Paul, Shahram Nojo, and Makhan Uppal collected third prize for their roommate-finder app UniRoomie.

Runners-up prizes were given to Finlay Thorburn for Buffalo Adventures, a youth adventure travel company, and Candice Armah and Matthew Hamblion for their video games lounge idea Health Bar.

Clare Griffiths, Business Development Manager (Enterprise), said: “The standard of this year’s competition was extremely high, making it a very competitive and exciting final. All of the finalists put in a great amount of effort preparing their pitches and they did themselves proud on stage. We are looking forward to continuing to work with them all, through the university’s entrepreneurship support service, beepurple, over the coming months.”

 

Credit: Philip Bedford

The Ideas Competition is funded and supported by Santander Universities, who rewarded all five finalists with cash prizes. Business support including accountancy and legal advice, mentoring, printing and intellectual property protection is donated by Hybe, Inngot, MDHUB, Mayo Wynne Baxter, Swindells Chartered Accountants and Exhibit Printing.

On 12 June, beepurple will run a five-day business start-up course, UltraViolet, which is exclusive to all University of Brighton students and graduates. For more information visit beepurple.co.uk.