Landmark Issue 19 2021 SINGLE PAGES

ISSUE 19 | 2021 37 ENTERPRISE Our Grand Idea competition is now in its 13 th year, but for the first time in its history, the Dragon’s Den-style event was held ‘virtually’, (on 1 May) with students pitching their business ideas to a panel of expert judges over Zoom in a bid to secure £2,500 of investment. Joining the event online, the panel of judges included: Sam Pullin (RAUEnterprise alumnus and Co-Founder Beaufort & Blake); Jamie Murray Wells OBE (Head of Retail, Google); Christine Cross (RAUHonorary Fellow and Retail Consultant); and the Vice-Chancellor. Luke, 19, who is in his first year studying agriculture won the top prize inMay 2020 with his business Veg- Tech which explores the practicalities of commercially farming hydroponics. Hydroponic systems are where plants are grown vertically, in buildings without the need for soil or sunlight. Commenting on Luke’s win, Chair of the judging panel Christine Cross, said: “The Grand Idea gives budding student entrepreneurs the chance to demonstrate their technical and creative skills plus business acumen real-time! This year all four finalists have businesses which are very much up and running, despite coronavirus, and impressed the judging panel with their enterprise, enthusiasm and social purpose.” Commenting on his experience, Luke said: “Winning will allowme to take my business Veg-Tech to the next level, developing a more sustainable and profitable agricultural enterprise.” The runners-up this year were student-duo Liz Boher and Fergus Tribe with their business BE Country, a specialist country gifts business based in Somerset. Liz, who is studying Business and Fergus who is studying Rural Land Management have won £500 to invest in their business. The Grand Idea 2020 was sponsored by law firm Harrison Clark Rickerbys and insurance and financial services company Lycetts. Grand Idea winner 2020: Veg-Tech “The winning entry Veg-Tech epitomises the very best of the RAU Enterprise culture. Agri-tech innovation with a tangible and profitable growth plan, a quantifiable environmental impact, and a young man whose enthusiasm and knowledge the judging panel just wanted to bottle!”