Business

A roaring success

Published 13 July 2011

A smart-phone app that helps drivers find car-parking spaces and a 3D experience that combines cinema with swimming were among the innovative projects pitched at 'Dragon's Den' style presentations by enterprising college students, in partnership with the University of Brighton.

The 25 students from Central Sussex College had 15 minutes to pitch their business ideas to a panel of 'dragons' followed by some tough questioning. The presentations were the outcome of a series of six Enterprise Masterclasses which involved the students putting together their own project teams, designing products and producing business plans.

The Enterprise Masterclass programme has been designed to build general business skills through practical exercises and is based on the University of Brighton's own enterprise and entrepreneurship programme Beepurple that has helped over 2,000 students, staff and alumni over the last six years. An important part of the programme is the staff development element, in which lecturers at the colleges develop their own skills in delivering enterprise education.

Dragons and students in the Enterprise Masterclass 'den'

The students came from a wide range of subject areas including construction, technology and business, media and IT, fashion retailing and hairdressing. They were recommended for the project by their lecturers.

Student Laura Jones, 19, said: "It was great working with new people who I probably wouldn’t have met otherwise, as they are from different courses to me."

The dragons assessing the students' business ideas, included: John Pordum, director of Champions Life Academy; Matt Turner, managing director at Creative Pod Ltd; Clare Griffiths and Lorraine Bell who are both programme managers at the University of Brighton.

The winning students will enjoy visits to local companies Kalligraphic Design, TEK Express, Bon Appetit and Creative Pod, and London-based recruitment company, Blue Stern. All students involved in the project were presented with certificates endorsed by the University of Brighton.

Real-life Dragon's den contestant John Pordum said: "I know from experience how hard investors will grill you to make sure you have thought everything through properly – and I was so impressed that the students had not only created products, but also devised thorough sales and marketing plans as well as confident, high-energy pitches."

Dr Russell Strutt, principal at Central Sussex College, said: "The Enterprise Masterclasses were launched at the college this February to de-mystify enterprise and entrepreneurship, and raise awareness of self-employment as a viable career option amongst students." He praised all the students who had taken part, and encouraged them to make the most of their prizes.

The Enterprise Masterclass project will be repeated next year, delivered by college staff.

Photograph by Philip Bedford