15.03.07
Falmouth lecturer successful in business ideas challenge

The hottest new business talent was unveiled last week as the South West's biggest entrepreneur competition got off to an exciting start. The University of Plymouth's Business Ideas Challenge has attracted overwhelming support from local business leaders after its inaugural success in 2006. With an even bigger prize package of over £40,000 this year, many entrants attended the first stage result event to find out if they were one of the lucky 20 to be short listed.

From the many strong submissions received, Senior Lecturer Andy Neal from University College Falmouth, a partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, successfully made it through to the next round, as well as winning first prize for the stage. Andy, who studied at the college fourteen years ago, returned in January 2000 to become a lecturer in Graphic Design. His business idea is to brand and promote an organic surfboard wax to appeal to mainstream buyers, in preference to the existing 'marginal' organic products and brand leading petrochemical waxes which currently dominate the market.

Andy was delighted with the result commenting, "I was really surprised and also very encouraged by being selected to go forward. I've had this idea for a while and to feel like someone else can see the opportunity gives it even more momentum. I'm really looking forward to the next round!"

Noel Akers, one of Europe's leading practitioners of intellectual property law and owner of Newquay based NJ Akers and Co Ltd is one of the sponsors; "This is an excellent initiative and one which my company is delighted to sponsor. I'm very aware of the huge amount of creativity and innovation in Cornwall because, since re-locating the company from Hertfordshire to Cornwall only two years ago, our caseload has grown considerably. We help clients with patent, trademark and design issues so we have first hand experience of the wealth of local entrepreneurial talent.

"The Business Ideas Challenge is a great opportunity to spotlight that talent and, because the prizes are very generous, to provide the finalists and eventual winners with much-needed cash and professional help. I'm really pleased to be involved."

Short listed entrants include staff, students and alumni from the University of Plymouth, its partner colleges and Tamar Science Park tenants. They will now be invited to submit full business plans, before going on to a 'Dragon's Den' style presentation in front of a panel of judges.

For further information contact Emma Stallard at the Combined Universities in Cornwall on 01326 370446 or email: emma.stallard@cuc.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF).

Editor's notes:

The Business Ideas Challenge is sponsored by Combined Universities in Cornwall, Plymouth City Council, HSBC Bank Plc, Tamar Science Park, Bond Pearce, Francis Clark, Business Link Devon & Cornwall, Ashfords, NJ Akers, Cowlin Construction, HBG Construction Ltd, Absolute Design, Air South West, Business Link Devon & Cornwall, DestiNet NewZapp, LogoWork, TwoFour TV, UnLtd, Finance South West, University of Plymouth Colleges and Knowledge Exploitation South West.

The Combined Universities in Cornwall is a dynamic and visionary partnership that is one of the driving forces behind Cornwall's economic renaissance. This partnership combines the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth, University College Falmouth, The Open University, The College of St Mark & St John, and the Peninsula Medical School, with Cornwall's Further Education colleges - Cornwall College, Truro College and Penwith College. It aims not only to provide the students of the future with more choice and greater opportunities, but also to boost the economic fortunes of the region for the benefit of one and all. The CUC initiative has been invested in by the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, the South West Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council and the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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