The country’s top entrepreneurial talent came together today in an afternoon of celebration at this year’s Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) Student Enterprise Summit at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh.
Since 2004, SIE’s annual summit has brought students and entrepreneurs from across the country under one roof to learn from established entrepreneurs, celebrate the success of new business ideas and inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Ten entrepreneurs shortlisted from hundreds of entries in SIE’s Fresh Ideas and New Ventures competitions were awarded prizes ranging from £500 up to £10,000 for their business ideas.
University of Edinburgh graduate, David Hunter, was one of the New Ventures winners, and was awarded £1,000 for his invention ‘Shot Scope’. Shot Scope is a wearable wristband which automatically collects scoring and statistical data for golfers to improve their game, helping cut down on time taken by golfers to manually record the data, helping them improve their game in the long run.
David said: “It’s an honour to be recognised at this year’s SIE Student Summit. The New Ventures prize money will be invaluable in allowing the team to develop ‘Shot Scope’ and take it to market to enable golfers across the country to improve their game.”
Michael Harkins of Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh was also recognised and awarded £500 for his invention, ‘Turtle Pack’. Turtle Pack is a flotation aid for children learning to swim, which aims to help them learn at a faster rate by encouraging the correct swimming position.
Throughout the day, attendees also heard from inspirational Scottish businesses including Brewdog and MBN solutions, as well as Scottish based tech start-up Malzee and past New Venture winners, Swipii – a company that has since gone on to bring its loyalty scheme for local businesses to market and now employs 11 people.
There was also an employability panel at the event, allowing guests to ask questions to a group of experts on what businesses really look for in their staff and how enterprise skills are valued by employers.
Fiona Godsman, chief executive of competition organisers, Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE), said: “It’s of huge importance that we recognise and inspire young entrepreneurial talents in Scotland. We have to give the next generation of business people as much support as possible in order to succeed in this increasingly competitive global economy.
“Equally, we want to demonstrate the importance of having an enterprising skillset, not just for those wishing to go it on their own, but to the organisations who employ people every day.”
Sammy Jo Gardner, Area Manager, Customer Acquisition at Bank of Scotland, said: “Scotland has a rich heritage of entrepreneurs and innovators who’ve made a mark not just in Scotland, but across the world. The Bank of Scotland is proud to be able to give our support and play a role in helping foster and encourage Scottish entrepreneurial talent by sponsoring the New Ventures competition.”
SIE aims to increase the number of students in Scotland who pursue a career in entrepreneurship by providing them with support, and funding through a variety of competitions and events. For example, The Young Innovators challenge is currently open for entries, and looks to reward and encourage young people with a business idea which will help tackle a social issue.
For more information and to enter please visit www.sic.ac.uk/YIC
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