A Welsh university is calling on entrepreneurial graduates from across the UK to show how they’re ‘making business happen’ by entering a new business awards.
With just over two weeks left to enter, the University of South Wales’ ‘Making Business Happen Awards’ are open to start-up businesses as well as more established SME operations from across the UK. And a separate Aspiring Entrepreneurs Award will also recognise students from schools and colleges across the UK who can demonstrate their commitment to researching and developing an effective or innovative business idea.
Entrants of the Making Business Happen Awards have the chance of winning a support package that includes up to £12,500 cash investment to boost their business or business idea. The awards are sponsored by NatWest and Santander, and supported by business advice website freshbusinessthinking.com.
A panel of judges, including University of South Wales academics and experts from the fields of finance, marketing and business support, will assess the award entries, and top student entrants will also participate in a live pitch process where the judges will scrutinise their business ideas and proposals.
Shortlists for the four award categories will be drawn up in early 2015, with the winners announced at a celebration event on the 16th April 2015, in Cardiff. At the event, the University will also name a Making Business Happen Champion – an alumnus and successful individual in the business world, who has shown significant leadership and entrepreneurial skills that have proved an inspiration to others.
Speaking about the Making Business Happen Awards, official ambassador, University of South Wales graduate and founder of job seekers’ website Careercake.com, Aimee Bateman, said: “I studied marketing at university and that helped me to develop many of the different skills and qualities required to become a successful entrepreneur. The Making Business Happen Awards aims to highlight the next generation of entrepreneurs and to celebrate great examples of business innovation and creativity across the UK.
“We are looking for businesses and individuals from all corners of the UK who can demonstrate thorough research and sound planning; inspiring leadership and effective teamwork, as well as the hard work and determination needed to turn these ingredients into a successful enterprise.”
In addition to receiving a cash investment, Making Business Happen award winners will also benefit from mentoring and business support packages provided by professional advisers, including award partners NatWest, Awbrey Management, Indycube and the University.
Kevin Morgan, NatWest regional director of business banking, said: “NatWest is delighted to support the Making Business Happen Awards because we want to work with organisations which share our aims.
“At NatWest we are helping people to explore enterprise, develop their skills and start up in business, whatever their background. We want to encourage more people, in more communities, to embrace an entrepreneurial culture and we aim to help close the generational enterprise gap.”
The University of South Wales has strong links with industry, both in the UK and overseas and works closely with major employers such as British Airways, Microsoft, BBC, Sony and others to help ensure that its courses meet the demands of the modern workplace.
To find out more, view the official launch video and to register an entry, visit www.uswbusinessawards.co.uk. Entries close on December 12 2014.
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