Winners of the University of Kent BIG Ideas Competition were awarded at last Network612 of the year on Thursday 7^th April at Canterbury Innovation Centre.

The judges had a very difficult job in Canterbury, and in the end decided to divide the prize between three candidates, with a cheque of £1500 to each. By a whisker, they decided that the winner’s certificate should go to Jack Kemp, who had an innovative docking station, which allowed you to play sound through any receiver wirelessly. Jack had a prototype to show the judges and they were very impressed with the idea.

The other two runners up were Ella Corner for her business Belle Vintage  

and Seema Argwaal, a budding entrepreneur in the music industry, with her new start-up Resonance Music. All the judges commented on the passion of the three winners, and how entrepreneurial they all were.

In Medway, the judges also had an extremely difficult job, but eventually decided on a winner and runner up. The winners were Nicola Gough and Sue Bagnall, who had developed a CPD programme for dental nurses

 The students will use the prize money of £3000 to develop their website.

A wonderful social enterprise won the runners-up cheque of £2000, which was awarded to Betsy Aidinyantz. She has developed a project with a commercial partner to produce an innovative new planter called Greenstack, which employs and trains disenfranchised people from the local Medway community.

 The judges also commended the eco friendly ideas from Vincent Read, whom they awarded a special prize of £500 to help him develop his ideas in more depth.

Student Enterprise Officer, Tracy Crowther says ‘Going through the process of committing your idea to paper, following the application template, having an opportunity to present ideas in front of a panel of expert judges is a great experience, and a very useful skill in the employability market.

It was great to have so many entrants this year – and we look forward to next year’s competition in 2012!’

Awards Night 7th April

Find out who wins at Network612 7th April at The Bulb, Canterbury Innovation Centre, 5.30 – 7.00pm – all welcome

Judges decisions now announced
Top 8 for Presentation round –   Canterbury

Top 6 for Presentation round – Medway

53 entries received , involving  78 students and 18 teams of the ideas were from teams. All the entries are being judged this week,  and the top 8 from Canterbury campus and the top  8 from Medway campus will go through the  presentation round on 31^st March (Canterbury) and 1^st April (Medway).

Judges for the presentations in Canterbury will be Bob Jones CEO of BSK-CiC, Sally Aspital business owner and mentor, Paul Andrews, CEO Jobsinkent.com

For Medway the judges are Professor Katie Truss, Head of Kent Business School Medway, Valerie Marshall, Chair of the Council, University of Kent, and Carole Barron, Director of Innovation and Enterprise.

Developing an idea is a valuable skill. Developing an idea that may become a business could become essential. Entering this competition allows you to go through the basic processes – thinking of the idea, the market, the costs, the return. Entering will be valuable enterprise and employability skill, which looks great on the CV. All students who participate will be recognised with 10 employability points.

An opportunity to write up that ‘great’ idea you’ve had in the back of your mind since forever or enter your own business that you are running  - and win from the £5,000 prize pot.

This competition is open to all students currently registered on a University of Kent degree programme who have an innovative or creative business idea.

The Competition is in two stages