Graduates and students from the University of Chichester have been rewarded for their business acumen in the first competition of its kind at the West Sussex institution.
The new business ventures of Daisy Robinson and Sophie Bennett (Honey It’s Herbal!) and Paul Taylor (Play-Ultimate) won first prizes in the first-ever New Entrepreneurs Competition run by the University, to encourage entrepreneurial spirit at the institution to blossom.
Daisy and Sophie have successfully combined their studies with their business idea while Paul set up his company on graduation, making instant use of the skills and experiences learnt in the lecture halls.
Daisy and Sophie from Honey It’s Herbal (http://www.honeyitsherbal.com/) sell 100% natural handmade skincare products, having started by making products for themselves before branching out into business. They now sell at local farmers’ markets and crafts fairs as well as being stocked in stores in Sussex and Kent.
Play Ultimate (http://www.play-ultimate.co.uk/) strives to spread the benefits of physical activity and sports psychology in a youth environment, and Paul leads a number of coaching sessions to introduce young people to the sport of Ultimate Frisbee, both within school PE sessions and in after-school clubs.
The judging panel of Iain Shepherd (Marcom Defence), David Myers (DM Consultants) and Lyn Batchelor (University of Chichester) awarded the two businesses £500 each.
The runners-up were Replica Dance Workshop, who create educational dance workshops, and Wide Eyes Theatre Collective, who are creating contemporary theatre and educational workshops from multi-disciplined performance artists. Both groups received £250.
Julia Macfarlane, Senior Business Development Manager for the University of Chichester, said: “Nine shortlisted entrants to the competition at Stage 1 were given a £500 grant and sent away to put it to good use for their business over the summer months. The winners of the competition at Stage 2 were those who were judged to have used the cash to the greatest benefit.
“The standard of entries shows that there is definitely an untapped entrepreneurial streak at the University, and that bodes well for the future of our students and the local business community.
“The University has made a strong commitment to support new businesses - later this year, we will be opening new business incubator units at our Bognor Regis campus, space where new businesses, started up by our students, graduates and staff, will be able to operate from, and receive support and guidance on how to best develop their business.”
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