Business is picking up for contest
BUSINESS ideas could become reality for lucky entrants to this year’s University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition.
Successful entrants will win a share of a £6500 prize pot. Finalists will also receive feedback from some of the region’s top entrepreneurs and business advisers on how to take their idea forward.
Run by Create, the UHI’s Centre for Enterprise and Innovation, the competition is now in its 13th year and is open to all students studying at the UHI as well as non-students living in the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.
Last year the competition attracted more than 115 entries. This year the entries will be narrowed down to 15 finalists who will discuss their ideas with the judges at the finals day on November 22.
Last year’s top prize went to former Inverness College UHI student Paul Beaulieu (42), from Milton, Invergordon, who took home a cash prize of £1500 and a combined legal and accountancy package worth £2000 for an idea that could revolutionise how pipes are fabricated and fitted together.
Dr Carol Langston, head of Create, said: "Often people have a business idea, but they don’t know what to do with it, or who to turn to for help. That’s where Create comes in. We work with people to encourage them to be ambitious, bold and creative in their thinking, with the aim of encouraging innovation."
Former winner Anna Renouf of Orrin Equestrian, is encouraging new entrants to take part in the competition.
Since winning the most innovative business idea and the best engineering and technology award in 2015, she has gone on to win £10,000 from Scottish Edge and received a Smart Scotland feasibility grant, which has allowed her to focus on the development of her innovative saddle design.
Anna said: "The University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition represented the start of my business journey and it really gave me the confidence to take my idea forward and develop it further.
"Even now, I regularly seek advice and guidance from the Create team about the direction of my business. The support and encouragement I have received from the team has really helped me to progress my business."
To enter, apply online at www.createhighland.com by October 31.
