Student Enterprise @ Purple Door
Money and Mumbai for young entrepreneurs
Tue, 07 Jun 2011 11:39:00 BST
Sat, Jun 4, 2011
MBA alumnus Prems Scrampical was guest speaker at the event on Wednesday night. He founded Colvill Banks in 2007, a company that provides recruitment research and talent related intelligence to executive search firms and corporations around the globe. He said how valuable it is to do work experience and wanted to give something back to the University by providing an opportunity for a current student.
The young entrepreneurs had to submit a business proposal and a five minute video pitch to judges who were looking for business ideas that were both viable and innovative. Winning ideas ranged from a hoop to facilitate an easier shopping experience to a fantasy football website.
Gilles Macey was offered the week’s work experience in Mumbai, as well as winning £1750 prize money for having the most advanced business idea. He will visit India’s business capital to see Colvill Banks’ 14,000 sq ft purpose-built delivery centre in operation.
He and his team created a European fantasy football game, the world’s first fantasy game that offers users the chance to select their favourite players from across the five best leagues in Europe.
Gilles said: "It's such an honour to be presented with this great opportunity of work experience in India. It still hasn't sunk in that I will be flying out to work for such a successful company, an experience that will hopefully provide me with the knowledge to take my own business to the next level.
“It was inspiring to hear Prem talk about what he and his wife have achieved - their story is a true example of how to survive and even grow a business during times of economic crisis.
“The prize money is a fantastic boost for Euro-Eleven and comes at a welcome time when marketing for the website and the game is absolutely vital for its potential success. We will now be running a comprehensive marketing campaign over the summer ready for the start of the new football season in August - exciting times for us! I am eternally grateful to the University, the Centre for Enterprise and to all sponsors who have made this opportunity possible.”
Second year English student Abigail Dillon won the most innovative business award for her shopping aid – a hoop device designed to slip over the arm and make carrying several coat hangers much easier. The hoop, called Hanger2, can fit nearly 30 hangers and Abigail’s punchy strapline was: ‘Don’t hang around, use Hanger2 today.’
Abigail said: “I was out shopping with my Mum getting hot and flustered carrying armfuls of clothes. When I got home I had a brainstorming session with my partner Russell O’ Connell and we came up with the idea for the hoop, which aims to make the shopping experience less awkward.
“It feels amazing to have won a prize. Russell and I were shocked and surprised but so pleased. The prize money will help us to establish our business officially and help fund our first product batch ready for trials in store.”
William Moore won the award for the business idea with the most potential. He and his team created ‘Rubixcard’ a social business directory designed to keep people connected with their social and business interests while allowing businesses to advertise effectively
A prize of £250 cash and one day’s work experience at city broker firm, SSL Insurance Brokers, was awarded to Tom Dwyer-Mann for having the most entrepreneurial spirit. Tom’s retail business, Retro Games Ltd, allows customers to buy, sell and trade old video games such as Pacman and Super Mario Bros.
Director of the Centre for Enterprise, Richard Sant, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve had yet another successful challenge this year. We’re investing a lot in the Centre’s key assets – students, staff, sponsors and alumni – and I really feel this is evident in the quality of entries and the support for the event.”
The annual Enterprise Challenge Awards are organised by the University’s Centre for Enterprise which aims to inspire students to learn and succeed in entrepreneurship through developing skills and experience.
The student entrepreneurs gathered at ‘Action Stations’ in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard for the ceremony.