Enterprise news from 8 EEUK members

Written by Kate Beresford

 

Birkbeck: Entrepreneurs Pitch Live in Pioneer 1.0 Awards

This year’s Pioneer 1.0 programme at Birkbeck, University of London (image above) has culminated in an exciting live pitch event, with two students crowned winners in the Best Business Idea and Best Business Pitch categories. Over 150 students took part in the programme for aspiring entrepreneurs, which kicked off back in November. Find out more here.

 

Robert Gordon: Thousands watch live Innovation Showcase as teams win share of £20,000

In June 2021, Robert Gordon University hosted a live broadcast as the finale of their annual Innovation Accelerator. Each impactful team produced a two-minute pitch video which were voted on both by a panel of industry judges and by the live audience. Viewers were also treated to an interview with leading entrepreneur, Chris van der Kuyl CBE whose company 4J Studios brought the game Minecraft to consoles. Over 3,300 viewers have watched the event on YouTube and LinkedIn and the event and accelerator received a congratulatory motion in the Scottish Parliament. Watch the event back by clicking here.

 

UAL: Annual London College of Fashion Enterprise Challenge

LCF’s annual Enterprise Challenge, saw 5 finalists pitch their business ideas which this year focused on sustainability, inclusivity, adaptability, and innovation. Organised by LCF’s Graduate Futures The Challenge continues to showcase the entrepreneurial mindset that predominates amongst LCF’s students. Judges consisted of: Linda Roberts – Director of Graduate Futures, Business and Innovation at LCF, Christine Fortune – Talent Director at IMG Models, Roberto Battistoni – Solutions Lead in Consumer Products, Retail, and Supply at IBM and Jason Beckley – LCF alumnus and specialist in global commerce (Alexander McQueen, Ralph Lauren and Puma). Tony Glenville – Fashion Writer and Trends Analyst held an in conversation with LCF alumna and award winning fashion pioneer Bethany Williams. Read the full story here.

 

Newcastle: 1st in the North East and 5th in the UK for graduate entrepreneurship

The rankings, published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), are based on start-up turnover and external investment generated by the entrepreneurs who have been supported by Newcastle University’s START UP team. There are currently 191 START UP-supported businesses trading with a combined annual turnover of close to £100 million. Between them, they’ve raised over £35m in external investment, won national and global awards and created 672 full-time equivalent jobs. Watch this video for the full headlines from the START UP team, who continue to support the next wave of Newcastle University’s entrepreneurs, innovators, pioneers and changemakers.

 

Oxford Brooks: OxTech Fest

Are your students and graduates ready to hear how Technology can change the world? Would they like to develop skills and launch their career in Tech? Then, OxTech Fest is the event for them. Encourage them to join this FREE immersive two-day online festival on the 7th and 8th of September. Hear from inspirational speakers, participate in interactive workshops, forge lasting relationships with key players in the technology industry, and broaden their career path. Visit oxtechfest.com for a FREE ticket and more info.

 

NTU: What does an Octopus have to do with Enterprise?

With more enthusiasm than a tentacle has suckers, Nottingham Trent University’s Enterprise Team released their new podcast into the wild; The Octopus of Enterprise, hosted by Diana Pasek-Atkinson, one of the team’s enterprise advisers. “I’m having fabulous conversations with some amazing guests. We’re debating what an entrepreneur looks like, exploring funding and finance, discussing how to develop and maintain a positive mindset in business and pondering on why people are petrified by networking, plus much, much more! The cover art for the podcast, designed by Erin Hillier, the winner of a student competition, portrays the lively feel of the podcast conversations. If you want to know the origins of the podcast’s name and discover the answer to the question, then give it a listen! Subscribe to The Octopus of Enterprise on Spotify (or your preferred podcast provider!)

 

UCL: Startup receives $1.2m in seed funding from Google

Afro haircare brand, Afrocenchix, launched by two UCL entrepreneurs and supported by the University’s enterprise team, has been backed by Google in a $1.2m Seed Round and named one of the “hottest Black-led startups in Europe”. Read the full story here.

 

 

Kingston: Global Citizenship Programme

In March 2021 Kingston Business School launched the Global Citizenship Programme to address the needs of growing socially driven student community and help to tackle some of the major global challenges. The programme aims to help participants around the world to develop skills for global citizenship and empower them to create a positive impact in their lives, communities and businesses. KBS partnered with 8 universities supported by a diverse range of guest speakers, influencers, and social shifters; the programme welcomed over 170 participants. Throughout the programme, participants got an opportunity to hear from experts on global issues and social enterprise development, meet with social entrepreneurs and work with students across institutions around the world to solve real social issues. To find out more or to partner with KBS, please contact Dr. Yuliana Topazly or click here.