UK STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS DESCEND ON MANCHESTER TO COMPETE FOR £100,000 INVESTMENT

On Monday 25th March students from all around the UK will come to the Palace Hotel in Manchester to pitch ‘Dragon’s Den’-style for part of £100,000 pot created for student entrepreneurs by the National Union of Students.

The NUS Enterprise Project has attracted bids from 26 students’ unions from as far south as Plymouth and as far north as Aberdeen. The budding entrepreneurs will have 5-minutes to pitch their ideas before being grilled by a panel of ‘dragons’ including business leaders and charity heads.

Business ideas being presented include creating facilities and shop spaces for small student businesses, an agency for students with creative skills, a business growing and selling chilli products, a bike-hire scheme, a credit union and a student lettings agency.

Successful bidders will receive training and support as well as funding for their projects.

Raechel Mattey, Company chair of NUS Services and one of the ‘dragons’, said:

“Students’ unions are already hives of creativity and innovation and NUS wants to help them bring their ideas to life. With the investment we can provide they can create thriving new businesses that raise money for the union as well as making students’ lives better.

“We can also help young leaders get the skills, training and experience they need to have a positive impact on their communities and the wider world throughout their lives.

The pitch day take place on Monday 25 March at the Palace Hotel, Manchester.