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27th May 2010

Business Plan Challenge sees £4,000 given away!

 

Business Plan Challenge 2010 sees £4,000 given away!

 

Last week, The Enterprise Pavilion proudly hosted the fifth annual Dorset Wide Business Plan Challenge awards presentation – a competition which both encourages and celebrates the entrepreneurial flair and talent found here on our doorstep in Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole.

 

A notable event in the Dorset business calendar for the past five years, the Business Plan Challenge has been attracting an ever increasing number of applicants with this year being no exception.

 

As Head of Enterprise at the Arts University College, Matt Desmier presented three awards on the night, from a total prize fund of £4,000. He said: “In the current economic climate more and more people will be thinking of setting up on their own, thinking it is the best option for them – and it could well be.  But they need to plan their businesses and hopefully, by awarding these prizes and showing that hard work pays off, others will be inspired to write business plans.”

 

As the South’s leading specialist in business incubation, the Enterprise Pavilion, managed by Matt on behalf of the Arts University College suggests “We have a 95% success rate with the businesses that we work with, an accolade that we’re particularly proud of and that’s because we specify, as the main criteria for entry, a well-written and feasible business plan.”

 

The winner in the Pre-Start category was Chloe Aldridge, who graduates from the Arts University College. Having just completed a Bachelors degree in Arts and Events Management, Chloe has the idea for Snare, a high quality Online Marketing Consultancy specialising in strategic Social Media Marketing encouraging businesses to exploit the internet to engage in conversations with their customers.

 

The runner up in the Start-Up category went to Kathryn Hay of Curious Arts, a community drama facilitator providing drama workshops to vulnerable groups within the community. Drama programmes run by Curious Arts can last anywhere from half an hour to ten weeks or more and are tailored to the needs of those attending. Participants are encouraged to express themselves in a creative way, build on their confidence, communication skills and motivation.

 

Whilst the winner of the Start-Up category went to Experience Solutions, aiming to make websites easier to use by providing usability and use experience design services to UK companies. Ali Carmichael and Damian Rees advised “We started the company because we found everyday experiences with products and services were too stressful because of poor design. We felt that if designers focused more upon the people using technology, understanding their needs, expectations and goals, designers would be able to provide better user experiences.

 

The event held at the Enterprise Pavilion itself was well attended by a host of local support networks, local businesses, contestants as well as students and staff from the Arts University College at Bournemouth.