University and Deloitte train entrepreneurs of the future – University of Reading
13 June 2006
Photo call 4:15pm, Thursday 15 June 2006, Deloitte Office, Abbots House, Abbey Street, Reading, RG1 3BD On Thursday 15 June, 10 talented University of Reading students will be entering the 'Dragon's Den' in the finals of the first ever Deloitte Business Planning Competition. Sponsored by Big-Four accountancy firm Deloitte, the Business Planning Competition gives students enrolled in the University's dynamic module, 'The Practice of Entrepreneurship', an opportunity to demonstrate their entrepreneurial potential and compete for a total prize fund of £1000. With over 100 students enrolled this year, "The Practice of Entrepreneurship" is one of the largest accredited, cross-disciplinary undergraduate modules in entrepreneurship in the UK. 'We have students enrolled from a wide-range of schools within the University including Systems Engineering, Languages and Politics and International Relations as well as the Business School', said Rebecca Miller, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Manager. 'This challenging and interactive program aims to inspire students to develop their entrepreneurial capabilities and equip them with the fundamental business acumen they need to put their ideas into action.' Students studying the module have spent the past few months getting their entrepreneurial juices flowing and working hard to translate their creative ideas into a solid business plan. Ten students have been selected to enter the final stages of the competition which have included presentation skills training and being coached by an experienced business professional. The competition finals will be held on Thursday when students will present their innovative business ideas to a panel of tough judges including Stephanie Wilson, Senior Manager at Deloitte, the International Vice-Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Marketing; John Flynn, and successful entrepreneur John Cavill, founder of both Logical Networks and Intermezzo Ventures. John Cavill said of the competition, 'I have been impressed by the number of students who elected to take in the Practice of Entrepreneurship course at the University this year. Having taught the Entrepreneurial Teams module, I experienced first hand the level of interest and commitment of the students attending. I was therefore very pleased to be asked to join the panel of judges for the Deloitte Business Planning Competition and to have the opportunity to assess the exciting and innovative ideas that have been produced as a result of the student's efforts.' Prizes of £500, £250, £150 and £100 will be issued to the top four competitors. For further information about the Deloitte Business Planning Competition or the entrepreneurship programs at the University of Reading, please contact Rebecca Miller, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Manager at The University of Reading Business School by telephoning 0118 378 6062 or emailing r.l.miller@reading.ac.uk. Ends For media enquiries please contact: Eleanor Holmes Press Officer, The University of Reading T: 0118 378 6166 E: e.m.holmes@reading.ac.uk