Investable ideas 'on tap' at university

Students and graduates at the University of Bedfordshire spent four days swapping their mortarboards for briefcases as they became budding entrepreneurs at the University’s Enterprise Summer School.

The University’s Knowledge Hub partnered up with blueberry training Ltd to deliver the free enterprise course where students worked in teams to create business ideas.

The course also included product development, marketing, setting up a supply chain and building an investment case that would then be presented to a panel of business experts at the end of the four days.

The winning pitch came from a team who came up with GreenSphere, a bar and lounge concept serving locally sourced healthy food and drinks.  

The team impressed the judges with their commitment to delivering an environmentally friendly business.

Other concepts included a fusion fashion range combining Asian and European style, a frozen yoghurt café chain offering naturally healthy products to the German market, a full wedding service for the growing Nigerian market and an exclusive body relaxation company for stressed City workers.      

All five teams delivered high quality and diverse business plans, which were energetic, imaginative and well thought out.  

All of them have the potential to make profitable and sustainable businesses.       

“The practical business experience gained during the Enterprise Summer School provides the know-how to start up in business and is transferable to many types of job. The University of Bedfordshire already has a great reputation for employability, but this experience will give these students an even greater edge over the thousands that will be applying for graduate jobs.”     

The panel of business experts was made up of Dr. Wesley Randle, Innovation Director at the University; Rita Mascia, Business Development Manager at the Knowledge Hub; and Gaynor Bray, who all offered their advice and guidance to the groups.