NEWS
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Student success at
Enterprise Awards
The Royal Agricultural University celebrated
its annual Enterprise Awards on 2 June
2016, recognising the entrepreneurial
achievements of the students and
graduates. The Awards were based around
the University’s nationally recognised
enterprise model; ‘Think it’, ‘Try it’, ‘Launch
it’, ‘Grow it’, which provides tailored
support throughout the start-up journey.
The 2016 ‘Try it’ champion was Jen
Winnett with her innovative technology idea
Find My Saddle. Jen received £500 funding
from Muddy Wellies Drinks to invest in to
her business. The judges were impressed
with the progress Jen had made in such a
short period of time and the commitment
she showed to developing her idea.
Now in its ninth year, the 2016 Grand Idea
business planning competition winner was
also Jen. She received £1,000 to invest
in to her business, as well as £1,000 of
legal advice from Burges Salmon Law
Firm and membership to the Institute
of Directors. The runners-up were
Christian Summers with Claytons Cold
Brewed Coffee, and Sharon Smith with
Define, both of whom received £500.
Jen said: “I’m over the moon and still in
shock. Thank you to the Enterprise and
Entrepreneurship Programme for all of their
support. Let the hard work and fun begin!”
This year, the University launched a new
‘Grow it’ award to recognise those who
have been running their businesses for at
least one year. The winner, who received
£2,000 to invest in the growth of their
business, was Lewis Steer from Lily Warne
Wool – the 2015 Grand Idea winner. The
‘Grow it’ runner-up was Beaufort and Blake,
the luxury shirt and accessory company
founded by Sam Pullin and Harry Lovell.
Visit
www.rau.ac.uk/enterpriseRAU Grand Idea finalists 2016 (left to right): Lewis Steer, Lily Warne Wool; Jen Winnett, Find My Saddle;
Sharon Smith, Define; Theo Wasserberg, Tahouts; and Christian Summers, Claytons Cold Brewed Coffee
Jen Winnett, Grand Idea winner 2016
Lewis Steer, ‘Grow it’ winner 2016