Business

Young Entrepreneurs Battle it out to be named the Best Young Business Brain in Chichester

Judges and finalists at the Bishops Palace Chichester. (Left to right charles Taylor, Louise Hastings, Hannah Weir, Chris Deans, Lorraine Nugent, Rob Nunn, Bishop Martin, Gary Shipton, Cllr Eileen Lintill, Tom Orchard and Leanne Robertson)

Judges and finalists at the Bishops Palace Chichester. (Left to right charles Taylor, Louise Hastings, Hannah Weir, Chris Deans, Lorraine Nugent, Rob Nunn, Bishop Martin, Gary Shipton, Cllr Eileen Lintill, Tom Orchard and Leanne Robertson)

On Wednesday 21st December, four young entrepreneurs met at the Bishop's Palace, Chichester Cathedral, to present their final business plans to a panel of seven judges in the hope of being named Young Start-up Talent Chichester’s very first winner. The initiative, which started earlier this year, allows 16 - 25 years old to express their business ideas to a number of business professionals who can offer invaluable advice and experience to help the young entrepreneurs progress with their business goals and dreams.

Judge and sponsor, Councillor Eileen Lintill from Chichester District Council, said, “I am really impressed with all of the candidates. We have seen four very different businesses, all of which can easily come to fruition. It is brilliant to see that we have such entrepreneurial talent in the district.”

Another judge, Gary Shipton of Chichester Observer said - “Having judged many of these events this has been one of the strongest. All the candidates were consistently good and very professional. The business ideas are very sound and viable. One of the biggest challenges that they each will face is knowing how to upscale them.”

After participating in business workshops, and completing a speed-networking event with a range of the sponsors and business professionals, the candidates were whittled down to just four finalists. The four finalists braved the fiery panel of judges, presenting their final and refined business plans in a bid to walk away with a prize fund worth up to £50k of business products and services.

The judges consisted of seven business professionals and included: Chris Deans, Relationship Director for NatWest; Louise Hastings, Partner at Moore Stephens; Cllr Eileen Lintill, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Community Services at Chichester District Council; Gary Shipton, Editor-in-Chief at the Chichester Observer; Bishop Martin Warner at Chichester Cathedral; Rob Nunn, Managing Director of Creative Pod and Strategic Director of Young Start-up Talent (YST), and Lorraine Nugent, Managing Director of Media Word Waves and Founding Partner of YST.

Chris Deans, Relationship Director from NatWest, commented, “I am extremely impressed with the quality of the presentations, and it was clear the preparation was significant to deliver their pitch. All the contestants excelled, presenting very credible arguments on why they will be successful business people in the future”, with Louise Hastings of Moore Stephens and also a judge adding; “All really strong presentations with a lot of potential.”

Chichester finalists - left to right - Tom Orchard, Hannah Weir, Leanne Robertson and Charles Taylor)

Chichester finalists - left to right - Tom Orchard, Hannah Weir, Leanne Robertson and Charles Taylor)

The final four young entrepreneurs included:

Hannah Weir age 17, with her business ‘Telephonium’ an individual and bespoke telephone marketing company;

Thomas Orchard age 17- with ‘Tom’s Computers’ a device support company which offers all aspects of device repair;

Charles Taylor age 17, who handcrafts his own bespoke pens as well as many other crafts, such as cabinets, whistles and keyrings.

Leanne Robertson age 22, pitching her mobile sports and pregnancy massage therapy business. Leanne commented on the whole process, stating, “the experience has been great. I have learnt such a lot that I wouldn’t have even thought about if I hadn’t entered the competition.”

Bishop Martin Warner, who kindly let us use the Bishop’s Palace for the formal presentations, was also a judge on the night. He commented; “It has been exhilarating to see the levels of professionalism, passion and imagination in these young people. And part of the privilege is having the opportunity to contribute to their future plans”.

Thanks go to the Young Start-up Talent team behind the scenes who helped to calm the finalists and prepare them for the formal pitches. Special thanks also go to the film and AV crew, for ensuring the presentations filming ran smoothly.

The very first Young Start-up Talent winner for Chichester will be announced on Thursday 12th January 2017 at the Planetarium. The judge’s verdict will determine which lucky young entrepreneur will be walking away with the prize fund.

To find out more please visit: www.youngstartuptalent.co.uk

 

Sponsors involved in this year’s Chichester initiative include:

NatWest

Moore Stephens LLP

Chichester District Council

Chichester Chamber of Commerce

Chichester Observer

University of Chichester

Creative Pod

Media Word Waves

Pep4Print

Beta Futures

Simmons Signs

Aspiring Young Entrepreneurs Battle for their Place in the Brighton Final

Sponsors and finalists at the Brighton speed networking event

Sponsors and finalists at the Brighton speed networking event

Aspiring young entrepreneurs gathered at the Quakers in Brighton on Thursday 15th December, as they fought for their place in the final of the Young Start-up Talent initiative across Brighton and Hove. Over the course of the evening the young entrepreneurs were able to speak with the sponsors on a 1-2-1 basis in a ‘speed networking’ style, gaining invaluable insight into the world of enterprise and advice on how they should proceed with their budding business ideas.

The initiative, which started in 2010, is aimed at finding the next up-and-coming young entrepreneurs aged between 16 - 25 years old. After a gruelling process, the winner will be announced of a prize fund of business products and services worth upto £50,000! With over 140 sponsors across the South East, including prevalent local businesses such as NatWest, Gatwick Airport, Hartley Fowler Chartered Accountants, FaceMedia Group and Sussex Chamber of Commerce to name but a few, the initiative is proving to be very popular.

Ana Christie, Chief Executive at the Sussex Chamber of Commerce and judge, commented; “As this is my first time judging, I am surprised at the quality of the pitches and presentation of the young entrepreneurial ideas. The Sussex Chamber of Commerce are very proud to be sponsors of such a fantastic initiative.”

Jim Cunliffe from FaceMedia added; “Every kid has a great idea. Young Start-up Talent gives them the opportunity to express themselves.”

 

With only ten minutes each, the room was bursting with entrepreneurial spirit as the young entrepreneurs competed for their places as one of the finalists. Fadress Nyirenda, one of the young entrepreneurs, said; “Young Start-up Talent has filled me with a sense of empowerment. It has taken my hobby to a real business concept, giving me a safe space to grow and develop.”

Mark Bennett of Bennett Christmas added, “Young Start-up Talent gives us the opportunity to support young people in their journey towards creating business. As a businessman I can help! Youngsters are fearless and have the drive to make it work. I am really proud to be a sponsor.”

Amongst them, Alison Addy from Gatwick Airport and long term sponsor and supporter of the initiative further commented; “I am really excited and looking forward to watching the young entrepreneur’s progress through the process and seeing how their businesses develop.”

Following the speed networking the sponsors and judges have to make the tough decision of whittling the group down by half, with only five candidates making it through to ‘The Pitch’ in January. At The Pitch, each finalists will present their refined and polished business plans to a panel of judges in the hopes of becoming the Young Start-up Talent Brighton & Hove Champion in 2017. The final is set to take place at The Platform, Brighton, on Wednesday 15th February 2017 where the final winner of the prize fund will be revealed.

Toby Gillett Winner Young Start Up Talent 2012

Winner Toby Gillett

Winner Toby Gillett

The winner of the £50,000 prize fund for the Gatwick Diamond’s entrepreneurial initiative, Young Start-up Talent, was announced at an impressive show at the Copthorne Effingham Hotel on Thursday 29th March.

Toby Gillett, 18, from Crawley Down, who attends Imberhorne school, Crawley, was announced as winner of the project with his business idea for an online book library, ‘Sobiblio’.

Toby said, “I’m over the moon, especially after the semi-final where I felt I was quite nervous. I feel extremely grateful for the opportunity that’s now been presented to me.”

Toby’s very proud mum, Christine, said “He has always had an entrepreneurial flair. The first time I was aware of it was at infant school, a friend he played rugby with was diagnosed with cancer, and he wanted to raise money to support him and he arranged a cake and fruit sale. When you bear in mind how young he was, it was amazing, he really did a great job and raised a lot of money for his friend.”

The evening was hosted by the founders of the competition, Lorraine Nugent, MD of Sussex PR agency, Media Word Waves, and Mat Turner, MD Of Creative Pod, who are pictured with Toby.

Special guest speakers included Marion Broughton, Vice President of Thales Training and Simulation and Jane McGill, HR Business Partner for British Airways, who were both on the judging panel.