Student and graduate applicants have been shortlisted for this year’s Big Idea Competition, the University’s annual business idea and innovation competition which celebrates entrepreneurial student and graduate talent.
The Big Idea Competition is supported by Santander Universities UK and organised by the University’s Creative Enterprise Centre (CEC). The competition encourages students and graduates to advance their entrepreneurial skills, by developing and commercialising their ideas or growing their businesses.
The grand final, which will take place virtually on 25 May from 5pm to 8.15pm, is a showcase and celebration of the University’s entrepreneurial student and graduate talent. The competition and its applicants are split into three different categories: freelance, ideation and acceleration. The finalists across these categories will each present their businesses in five minutes to the audience and a panel of judges.
Those shortlisted in the freelance category are Evie Warren, who graduated from the Illustration and Visual Communication BA Honours course, graduate David Coyle and student Ana Quiroga Olavarrieta from the Audio Production MA course, Raya Gunova on the Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Enterprise Development MSc and Adel Szegedi, Contemporary Media Practice BA Honours student. They were all shortlisted for demonstrating a strong brand, service offer, quality of work and ability to successfully work as a freelancer or self-employed professional.
Within the ideation category, Accounting and Business Management BA Honours graduate John Rau, Business Management (Marketing) BA Honours student Nick Tanev, graduate from the Interactive Media Practice MA course Alvaro Caiza, student Emily Glynn and graduate Mansel Haynes from the Architecture Postgraduate Diploma Professional Practice (RIBA Part III) and student Andres Figar on the Sustainability Management and Innovation MSc are those shortlisted. They were chosen for presenting viable and innovative business ideas. Throughout the competition, these participants developed their business models, product and service concepts and route to market strategies.
Francesco Pignatti, student on the Sport and Exercise Nutrition MSc, Fashion Design BA Honours graduate Lidiia Pyshna and student Melissa Eakin, graduate from the Electronics with Robotic and Control Systems MSc Dewimaya Puspitasari and Daniel Volovei who graduated from the Business Management (Entrepreneurship) BA Honours course made the final in the acceleration category, which focuses on existing businesses that have a high potential for growth. This category helps participants to get investment ready, build a growth strategy and become an effective leader, with the view of building a team.
At the online final, the audience will have the opportunity to network with Westminster’s entrepreneurial community, see live video pitches from the competition finalists, and watch the prize giving ceremony. Additionally, they will have the chance to virtually network with the finalists and find out more about their businesses. Last year’s acceleration category winner and founder of NUA X DESIGN Emily Eby will also share her experiences since winning the competition.
Talking about the challenge, participant and finalist Evie Warren said: “I have had a great experience during the Big Idea Competition. I have learnt more about how to sell myself, what I stand for and what I want in the future. I have learnt how to create a successful brand and to ensure everything I do stays true to myself and my work. I 100% recommend applying for the Big Idea Competition, it makes you more confident in your abilities and helps you push yourself to speak about them and be proud about who you are and what you can do!”
Learn more about the competition and vote for your favourite idea on the Westminster Big Idea Competition’s website.
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