WeNetwork, the University’s entrepreneurial network, were proud to have two candidates representing Westminster at the Santander X UK Awards 2022 in November.
Charlotte Donivar, who graduated in 2022 from the Architecture MA course, and Fraser Matcham, who graduated in 2018 from the Law LLB Honours course, pitched their respective companies, ARC-TEC and Legal Utopia, to a panel of judges and a live audience.
Fraser Matcham was selected for a Judge’s Choice award for his start-up Legal Utopia and received a £2000 investment to take his business to the next level.
Fraser said: “My business is Legal Utopia. It helps individuals and small businesses identify their legal problem via its Legal Checker service. The service leverages AI technologies to help resource and resolve legal problems 24/7 with DIY solutions.
“The idea stemmed from assisting people who go through the court process without legal representation, while reading their documents to understand what their legal problem was. Legal Utopia established itself for the research and development of machine learning technologies, allowing the Legal Checker service to be formed.
“There are lots of exciting things on the horizon - keep up to date on Legal Utopia’s website and social media channels.”
Charlotte said: “My business is ARC-TEC - it's a new type of Lego. During my studies I developed ARC-TEC, a new construction toy to encourage children - and adults - to build and create with nature in mind, introduce children to the concept of biomimicry, and to give children confidence in being creative. The distinctive triangular shape of ARC-TEC is often nature's preferred building block.
“My entrepreneurial streak stems primarily from my mother who started a transcription bureau when I was little. My sister and I became part of its marketing team, or shall I say, we were the marketing team. My father on the other hand was the only one in his family to not study medicine and become a doctor; instead, he built a massive three-storey house from scratch when he was only 27. So, in essence, the creative and business side comes from my mother and the technical side comes from my father.
“I have some very exciting things coming up for ARC-TEC… watch this space!”
WeNetwork is committed to supporting the next generation of founders and freelancers. Applications are now open for the next cohort of Start-Up 101 and Freelance Essentials.
Start-Up 101 offers the tools to generate viable business ideas, turn initial concepts into commercial opportunities, develop entrepreneurial skills and mindset, and expand networks.
Freelance Essentials supports students and recent graduates in becoming professional freelancers or self-employed. The programme will prepare participants to successfully build a sustainable career and income, either part-time or full-time, as a freelancer or self-employed.
If you are a Westminster student or recent graduate and are an aspiring entrepreneur looking to take your career to the next level, be sure to apply for these programmes now.
WeNetwork is also excited to be running The Big Idea Competition in Semester Two.
The Westminster Big Idea Competition is the University’s annual University-wide student and graduate business idea and innovation competition, in partnership with Santander Universities UK. The competition encourages and supports applicants to develop their entrepreneurial skills, build and grow their businesses. Register interest for The Big Idea Competition. Applications open on Tuesday 24 January 2023.
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