Member Article

Bright sparks to shine at awards ceremony

Solar powered mobile phones and a pizza vending machine are just two of the innovative ideas put forward for this year’s Enterprise Challenge Awards. Now in its sixth year, Enterprise Challenge is the University’s business planning competition, organised by the Careers Service in association with Accenture.

Students and graduates enter an idea they have developed into a business plan for the chance to win a share of £11,000 and in-kind business support. There are 11 different categories and the deadline for entries is 4pm today. For more information visit www.careers.ncl.ac.uk/enterprisechallenge.

Nick Keeley, Careers Service Director, said: “They don’t need to own or start a business to enter, but if they want to then we’re on hand to help them. The Challenge has become a well-established event in the calendar of many regionally-based businesses and organisations. It also provides a great opportunity for staff of the University to meet new contacts, host industry partners, and show their support for enterprising talent.”

The competition regularly produces high-class winners, with last year’s Osiris Ltd and Freedom Horsebox Hire going on to win further acclaim at the regional business planning competition Blueprint.

Dawn Bramley of Freedom Horsebox Hire said: “Winning this award has been a great confidence boost. It was fantastic to get some recognition for the business and all the hard work that has been put into it. “Taking part in the Challenge has been an important step forward and I would recommend it to anyone!”

The Challenge Awards will take place on 8th May at Newcastle Civic Centre. Tickets, including drinks reception, formal dinner, wine, and entertainment, cost £25 per person. They are available from Kate Moore via kate.moore@ncl.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .