STUDENTS at the University of Chester can enter their own Dragon’s Den and have the chance to win a cash prize by demonstrating their entrepreneurial skills in a new competition.
The newly launched Santander Enterprise Challenge is offering students the opportunity to win a first prize of £500 for their original idea which can be creative, innovative or practical.
It is open to all registered students at the university and entrants simply need to explain what the idea is, why it is needed, who it is for and how it will make money in 800 words or less. There’s also a runners up prize of £250.
All short-listed candidates or teams will take part in a ‘pitch’ to three business gurus who are looking for a spark of entrepreneurial talent.
The ‘dragons’ are John Newton-Jones, who is the principal founder and managing director of the Snowdonia Cheese Company; Andrew Donaldson, a partner in BiG Storage which is one of the top 10 businesses supported by the Prince’s Trust in its 25 year history; and Kirsty Craig, the original founder and chief executive officer of The Business Connection in Chester.
To enter, students can download an application form and submit their idea in 800 words or less along with any samples of marketing materials they feel would support their idea by visiting www.chester.ac.uk/santander-enterprise-challenge and emailing the completed entry to connie.hancock@chester.ac.uk.
Closing date for entries is noon on February 4 and the awards will be presented at a ceremony and dinner for the short-listed candidates at the University of Chester on March 4.
Any students wishing to find out more or need support filling in their forms can contact Connie at connie.hancock@chester.ac.uk
