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Entrepreneurs of the future given thumbs up by Thames Valley businesses – University of Reading

Over 180 students from the University of Reading showcased their business ideas and proposed business start-up strategies to a panel of local business experts this week, as part of the Thames Valley Innovation Festival.

The students have been working in teams to develop business and social venture ideas under five themes:,Health, Environment, Home Automation, Professional Services and Food Technology, as part of a course module in entrepreneurship, which all students, undergraduate or postgraduate can take at the University.

The exhibition ran along the lines of a trade show and the young entrepreneurs were assessed by pitching their innovative ideas to a group of 30 local business judges and tutors. The experienced entrepreneurs and business professionals were asked to give critical feedback to students on their concepts and business potential and to pick a winning team. Ideas ranged from part-time job recruitment agencies targeting students needs to support their studies to jewellery hire businesses or meal planning software.

One of the judges, Gerry Iles, Senior Manager Lloyds TSB Commercial said: "It was great to support the Entrepreneurship programme once again. This is the third year LTSB have been involved and we continue to be impressed with the fantastic ideas that come out of the exhibition and the plans to translate these ideas into workable businesses. It really gives the students involved a great insight into the business world and how it works!"

Dr Shaheena Janjuha-Jivraj, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship, which is part of the Henley Business School at the University of Reading, said: "Whether students have a social or business idea in mind or simply want to add a new dimension to their degree by gaining practical entrepreneurial skills, acquiring knowledge or networking, the Practice of Entrepreneurship module provides them with the correct tools.

"Our innovative teaching programmes touch all corners of the campus and all levels of study. The students on this module come from a very wide range of disciplines and levels, ranging from second year students to Masters students. So whether students study psychology or food science at undergraduate or postgraduate level they can take advantage of the University's entrepreneurial training. "

Winners of the Enterprise Rent-a-car £500 cash prize were team "inShape". The group consisting of four law students has been working on a mobile application to go on a Smart Phone which caters for diabetic type 2 patients. Users can key in what they have eaten along with their insulin levels and get feedback on their diet. The team are currently discussing how to best invest the money.

Team member Matthew Carr said: "We are totally surprised and elated. This has definitely been our favorite module as it has been great to be able to listen and talk to experienced investors and business people throughout the course. All the hard work has definitely paid off".

The event, which took place at the University's Entrepreneurship Exhibition in the Great Hall on the London Road campus, concluded with an opportunity for businesses, students and academics to network.

For more information on Entrepreneurship activities at the University of Reading, please contact Sofie Verzylbergen on s.verzylbergen@henley.reading.ac.uk.

ENDS

Further information from Alex Brannen, Media Relations Manager, on 0118 378 7388

Notes to editors:

Local businesses involved included:- Leo Dunne – Thames Valley Investment Network, Malcolm Wicks – Institute of Directors, Berkshire, Michael Broadbent – SEEDA -South East England Development Agency, Shahid Azeem – Arcom and Gerry Iles, Senior Manager Lloyds TSB Commercial

External partners can get involved with us through the following activities:

o Meeting our future graduates and other business contacts at informal networking events

o Inspiring our students in lectures, making the idea of entrepreneurship more tangible

o Enterprise Experience: a flexible project based scheme enabling companies to benefit from skilled students on a wide range of courses and enabling students to gain valuable work experience in local small entrepreneurial companies.

o An Audience with: is a series of topical talks with entrepreneurs from a broad cross section of society.