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The Entrepreneurship in STEM Project for ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Health and Life Sciences (HLS) students was a three-day event that ran in November. The aim was to train HLS students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and skills that will enhance their employability.

We want to ensure that the students who graduate from the faculty are entrepreneurial scientists, with the ability to think outside the box and make real-world impact. The event ended in a business pitch competition with cash prizes given to the best ideas. 

On day one, Dr Arinzechukwu Ude (Academic Lead and Project Coordinator) introduced and welcomed all the students. The ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Made team, led by Simon Baines, delivered two workshops on discovering your entrepreneurial potential and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Dr Nikki Brooks (HLS Associate Dean Academic) and Anna Chesters (Associate Professor Student Experience) were in attendance to encourage the students.

On day two, the ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Made team led two workshops: ‘From idea to business plan’ and ‘Pitching your STEM business idea,’ which then enabled the students to brainstorm ideas and business pitches.

Finally, on day three, the ²ÝÁñÊÓƵ Made team facilitated another workshop on ‘Marketing your STEM business idea’, and the last hour was dedicated to the business pitch competition.

The panel of judges included Professor David Proverbs (Associate Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Enterprise and Business Innovation), Ben Ravilious (Founder of ) and Annie Taylor (Biomedical Science Lecturer).

The first prize of £500 went to Sofia Laurd and Hajara Zinsonni for Pharm Access. Second place (with a £300 prize) was given to Philemon Nkuranga and Elhmedi Tahiri for Home Medicx and the third place (winning £200) was awarded to Andy Bruce for S.E.A.C.

Ben Ravilious gave the students ideas on how to enhance their pitches to attract investors.

Reflecting on the event, Dr Ude said: “I would like to thank all the students who participated in this workshop and hope they have found it useful, educative and empowering.

“Science is not about accumulating and cramming information. It is a way of thinking. The scientific mind is creative. I hope this workshop helped every one of you to understand the importance of thinking like an entrepreneurial scientist and that you go on to create your respective startups and make real-world impact.”

Following the success of this year’s project, Dr Ude intends to run it again next year.