Santander Universities Growth Grant

Students and graduate entrepreneurs from the University of Brighton have received a cash boost, thanks to a funding initiative from Santander Universities. 

Businesses were invited to apply for the Santander University of Brighton Growth Grant, a new initiative intended to support those that have begun trading. Santander Universities already supports early-stage entrepreneurs through a bi-annual ideas competition. 

A funding pot of £12,500 was made available to applicants who were required to pitch via video conferencing. Judges included Holly Price, Relationships Manager – South East, Santander Universities, and our Entrepreneur-in-Residence James Burton, an alumnus of Brighton Business School. 

Awards were made to the following:

Elea Lowe – a BSc Marketing Management student, who runs an online jewellery store. Alex Whitty, a BSc Product Design with Professional Experience student, who has created a wearable tech innovation for the footwear industry. 

Liam Murphy – a BSc Product Design with Professional Experience graduate, who is developing a mindfulness technology product for those with ADHD. 

Jade Evans – an MDes Textiles with Business Studies graduate, a former winner of the Santander University of Brighton Ideas Competition who uses waste animal hair as a woven fabric. 

Joshua Gere – a BEng Aeronautical Engineering student, who is developing a bird-like drone business serving the agriculture and aerospace industries. 

Bronwyn Robichaud–  BA International Event Management student, who creates art and art-inspired fashionwear. 

Alim Nayal – BSc Business with Marketing, who is growing a disruptive pop-up pizza business. 

Four other applicants will be pitching in June for a reserved sum made available. 

The Santander University of Brighton Growth Grant is organised by Beepurple, the University of Brighton’s entrepreneurship support service.