Posted by John King on February 1, 2011 under Competitions, Royal Holloway Businesses | 
Royal Holloway students have won several awards at the national Startup Smart competition run by author and entrepreneur, Robin Bennett. The prizes will include help with set up costs, including help approaching investors, professional planning to get the company off the ground, one year’s mentoring, hands-on support when required and access to business networking.
The winners include:
- Study Buddy, a peer skills exchange run by Royal Holloway Entrepreneurs’ President Luka Blackman-Gibbs
- VEO eyewear, a social enterprise brand run by Louis Mech
- Michaela Belony’s natural haircare products for Afro-Caribbean people
Also shortlisted was last years’ President Jack Lenox, for eNovella, the online literary magazine and social network.
Congratulations to all our winner, who won more than half the prizes! If you want to emulate them then visit the Royal Holloway competitions page.
Posted by John King on January 14, 2011 under Podcasts |
Robin Bennett graduated from Royal Holloway in 1992 with a degree in Modern Languages. (In)famous for starting a business selling sandwiches and BBQ food on campus, since then he has started eight separate companies – each for less than £5000. His most successful company, Aktuel Translations, combines his love of language with his positive attitude towards turning the things he loves doing into a career.
This podcast is from the Royal Holloway Entrepreneurs Get Inspired! event on 13th January 2011, and features the unique story of a modern language entrepreneur, as well as expert insights into the translation industry and hints and tips on finding work as an employee or as a freelancer.
Listen to more of our popular podcasts by subscribing to our iTunes feed.
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Posted by John King on October 12, 2010 under Photos |
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Posted by John King on September 26, 2010 under Competitions |
What is Dragons’ Den?
Royal Holloway Entrepreneurs’ Dragons’ Den is an idea pitching competition based on the hit BBC TV series of the same name. Students will pitch their ideas – for businesses, social enterprises, charities or individual projects – to a panel of ‘Dragons’ which includes:
- Jess Ratcliffe, a RHUL student who featured on the real Dragons’ Den
- Robin Bennett, author of Start-up Smart, who will be offering attendees the opportunity of up to an additional £5,000 business funding
- Rhiannon Horsley from UnLtd, the top UK social enterprise organisation.
The ‘Dragons’ play the role of potential investors in you and your idea. The competition takes place on Thursday 7th October 2010 at 7pm in the Students’ Union.
How do I enter?
The competition is now closed, but you can still attend the event for fun!
What happens next?
All entrants will be given the opportunity to attend a pitching workshop on Wednesday 6th October at 1pm in MX34. At this workshop you will learn how to pitch professionally and be given the opportunity to practise and hone your pitch. The final selection of students who will be put through to face the Dragons will be announced at the end of this workshop and emailed to any students who were unable to attend.
How do I win?
Winning ideas are likely to be those which are innovative, solve a genuine problem or meet a real need, and are likely to be achievable. Although you will not be marked on the quality of your pitch, a good pitch will help you put your idea across.
What is the format of the pitching competition?
You will pitch for just 2 minutes and will have 3 minutes to answer questions.
Who can enter?
Current students at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Posted by John King on July 12, 2010 under Competitions |
Robin Bennett is a Royal Holloway alum who has started a string of successful businesses. Now he is offering to help out other prospective entrepreneurs by offering initial set up costs, a year’s mentoring from Robin, a national PR campaign and substantial marketing on the Start Up Smart website. Open to anyone living in the United Kingdom between 18-30 years old, the Start Up Smart competition is looking for innovative business ideas which should cost no more than £5000 in initial set up costs.
There will be five winners announced in November 2010 in five categories:
1. Services
2. Manufacturing
3. IT
4. Media and arts
5. Retail
Submit your idea
Initial submissions to be emailed either as text (no more than 250 words) or as a video file. Tell us a bit about you, then set out your business idea, and outline approximately how much you think your company would cost to set up and run in its first year (remember, it can’t be more than £5000).
For more information, visit www.startupsmart.co.uk/competition.htm
Royal Holloway students have won several awards at the national Startup Smart competition run by author and entrepreneur, Robin Bennett. The prizes will include help with set up costs, including help approaching investors, professional planning to get the company off the ground, one year’s mentoring, hands-on support when required and access to business networking.
