South West celebrates Enterprise in Region’s Universities
A device that could improve treatment of an eye disease affecting millions worldwide has won the first Universities South West Enterprise Award 2009 (USWEA). These awards, open to universities from the South West of England are aimed at finding the best idea in the South West region. The competition’s goals are to encourage people to set up businesses, to become more employable, to learn skills and to stimulate the regional economy. The competition is part of the Knowledge Escalator South West (KESW) programme managed by Universities South West which is supported by over £2.3 million of European Regional Development Funding investment through the South West RDA.
The prototype of the winning entry, which reduces the frequency of painful and costly injections for macular degeneration, a condition that can lead to blindness, is about to undergo clinical trials. Called Selo, the device is being developed by Dr Srilaksmi Sharma and Michael Cornish from the University of Bristol.
Their business idea came top in the staff/alumni category at the recent awards ceremony, hosted by the University of the West of England (UWE) on Thursday 3rd December.
Winner of the award for best student plan was Jennifer Griffiths, also from the University of Bristol, with her business idea called Snap Fashion. Her idea is for a price-comparison website with a difference, where fashion-hunters can upload a photo of their desired item and let the software find the best match at a bargain price.
She said, “Receiving this award is great. The cash prize will help me to build the business and winning means I am more confident going into meetings where I could potentially get more investors.”
The importance of clarity of vision as one of the ‘soft skills’ needed by entrepreneurs was recognised by UWE Vice Chancellor Steve West. He said, “This competition recognises the value of entrepreneurship, business talent and acumen. Universities are stepping outside their academic comfort zones into the real world, showing they are prepared to innovate, be creative, be brave and courageous, be visionary and entrepreneurial, and be able to recognise risks and mitigate them.”
Robin Bower, Business Relations Manager at Universities South West and Project Manager for the KESW programme explains, ‘The USWEA have grown from individual Universities’ business plan competitions, and the previous inter-University competition, the Knowledge West (KW) Enterprise Awards. Offering a total prize fund of £10,000 to recognise and reward students, staff and alumni for their efforts in setting up new businesses and social enterprises, we feel that these awards will be a real source of encouragement for business entrepreneurialism and enterprise in the region.’
