Young Dragons Reveal Bright Ideas

Three fledgling businesses have been given a cash boost after scooping business start-up bursaries at a student competition.  More than 30 enterprising De Montfort University (DMU) students pitched their business and creative ideas in ‘Dragon’s Den’ style at the first annual Start-up Bursaries competition during Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The competition was organised through the University’s Campus Enterprise Opportunities (CEO) Scheme for budding entrepreneurs at DMU.

Three £500 bursaries sponsored by Leicester law firm Harvey Ingram LLP were awarded to the most enterprising students developing the best start-ups in the CEO scheme.

Nick Rowan, originally from Manchester, graduated from DMU with a 1st class honours degree in Industrial Design this year, achieving a university award for excellence. He is now studying for a Masters degree at DMU. His winning idea was to develop a postural support chair, designed and manufactured for those with a disability, and was inspired by a work placement at DEMAND (Design and Manufacture for Disability), an independent charity with facilities in London and West Yorkshire.

Mark Reid, from Belfast, Northern Ireland, is studying for a BA Honours in Product and Furniture Design. Mark’s winning idea was to develop a decorative wall surfacing product for use in homes as well as commercial developments.

Craig Hinchliffe and James Hill are both studying for a BSc in Music Technology and Innovation at DMU. They pitched their company Hx2, which is based in Aylestone near Leicester, to the expert panel of judges.

Hx2 provide technical support solutions including live sound engineering, audio equipment hire for DJs and live bands and act as music agents. Craig and James manage Leicester band Free Control (www.freecontrol.co.uk) and have recorded their demo with them.

Craig said: “Winning the £500 bursary is a big boost for us, and is vindication of our good idea and two years hard work, having been judged by such successful business people.”

The judging panel for the grand final of the Start-up Bursaries included John Stobart, Partner at Harvey Ingram, Aatin Anadkat, Managing Director of Maiyango Hotel in Leicester and Samantha Murray, Healthcare Market Manager at DMU.

Harvey Ingram is sponsoring the Start-up Bursaries for the next three years to help DMU continue to nurture some of the best talent in the country.

Commenting on the winning pitches, John Stobart said: “The high quality of all the finalists was exceptional.  There are some very innovative ideas emerging out of the work being done at DMU that will benefit from investment and further development. All three of the winners fully deserved their awards.  In each case the proposition, delivery, solution and approach to market were superb and showed they had the ability to think through projects from start to finish.

“It is a privilege to be involved with DMU and to be in a position to see the ideas at such an early stage.  I’d like to wish them every success in the future – because it is fully deserved.”

Harvey Ingram’s sponsorship of the bursaries is part of a £15,000 donation towards the University’s new £35 million Business and Law Building, a £1,500 first prize in the annual DMU Business Venture Competition and an annual £500 scholarship for the DMU Law School Legal Practice Course. Scholarships go to top-performing students who consistently demonstrate academic excellence, motivation, merit and commitment to the profession.

Campus Enterprise Opportunities (CEO) offers business support and advice and is dedicated to creating an enterprising environment for DMU students, staff and graduates.

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