Westminster announces Big Idea 2023 finalists with £20,600 in funding awarded

WeNetwork, the University of Westminster's enterprise and entrepreneurship network, announced the successful completion of the Big Idea semi-finals. This annual University-wide competition, in partnership with Santander Universities UK, aims to support and empower student and graduate entrepreneurs in developing their business ideas and freelance careers.

This year, for the first time, WeNetwork introduced a semi-final round, allowing more students the opportunity to pitch and secure funding. The competition is divided into three categories - Freelance, Ideate and Accelerate - with funding being awarded in each category.

The judging process was rigorous, with an impressive array of pitches making the final decision challenging for the judges to make.

In the Freelance category, Joe Gibbs of Studio Loop, an architecture and design practice, Angelica Bizotto, a videographer, and Elijah McDonnell of EMProductions, a production house specialising in the distribution of documentary films and original content, emerged as the top three finalists. These freelancers secured £850 in funding, dedicated mentoring sessions, and access to the grand final.

In the Ideate category, the three finalists were Grace Tayo of TAYO KNIT, a knit and crochet business, Gerasim Hristov and Filip Olofsson of Value in Everyone, an organisation offering mentorship programmes to underprivileged students, and Michael Naylor of Alberti Interactive: Project Panopticon, an innovative product that offers immersive narrative experiences through the use of Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs). Each of these finalists also secured £850 in funding along with mentoring opportunities and access to the grand final.

The Accelerate category finalists were Riccardo Facciolongo and Thomas Ricci of EasyTap, a digital business card app; Elizabeth Ola of skincare brand TRU SKN; and Sami Samiee and Pragnesh Dixit of Talking, an AI-powered device that can be attached to any soft toy and create stories. Each of these finalists will receive £2,000 in funding, mentoring and access to the grand final.

Each of the runners up were also awarded £500 funding, including Liva Pastore of Liva Pastore Photography, Kaimana Sauter of Kaimana Sauter Design, and Margareta Digore of Digital Sphere, which helps small businesses to improve their online presence. They were all from the Freelance category.

Entrants of the Ideate category were also awarded £500 in funding. They included Afsaneh Azimi and Amir Dehdarian Fallah of Close Voice, a new generation walkie-talkie; Abraham Barrie of Premium Screenplay, a rapidly growing screenwriting contest; Amelia Fairney and her team at Karma TV The Diabeters, a childrens' TV series which provides vital information for diabetic children and their carers in a fun and engaging format; Zal Zamanian of Tara Roxy, a perfumes company; Paula Daunt of LavaLamp Cloud (Lava), which helps people to speak the language of music ; Luca Charrouf of EduTrust, a training provider; Diana Aldean of EcoBelle D, the company behind an innovative makeup bag; and Fabia Mone and Juwairiya Zulfiqar of Step Aheading Drug Discovery, and research and development company, focusing on new drug leads.

Entrants from the Accelerate category received £1,000 in funding. These included Evelyn Namutebi of Sure Consultancy which delivers consultancy and accountancy services; Steven Adjei of Validas Properties, a property investment company that brings unused and unloved properties back to the rental market; Yousef Skandari of Flimpi, an advertising and online marketing provider; and Johannah Fening and Georgia Thompson of Hug Hampers, a culturally diverse gift company. The Rising Stars who did not make it to the semi-finals were awarded £125.

Speaking about how it feels to have won in the Ideate category, Grace Tayo said: “It’s a great feeling to be in the final because now I have more confidence in my idea as a result of coming this far. However, it does come with some pressure as I know it’s going to be hard work over the next few months. I have to prove that my idea is worthwhile and that I have the skills and business acumen to make it grow with the funding I’ve acquired. But overall, I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Freelance category winner, Elijah McDonnell added: “Taking part in the Big Idea Competition has been an invaluable experience which has given me clarity on the steps I need to take in order to progress as a freelancer. I have been able to build connections with the other participants and I am looking forward to taking part in the finals and what opportunities this could lead to.”

The Big Idea Grand Final will take place on 5 October 2023, where the nine finalists will each pitch for £22,000 in funding.

Register your place at the Big Idea Grand Final on EventBrite.