With an unprecedented number of applications this year, the Guildford Innovation Awards have proved there is plenty of innovation happening locally in this challenging year for companies large and small.
The 10 categories of innovation range from the creative industries to healthcare, emerging technologies and more.
Student Enterprise at the University of Surrey is a growing community that has stayed buoyant and positive this year in the face of all the challenges the covid 19 pandemic has brought. The dynamic community of student and graduate entrepreneurs is really thriving, creating plenty of noise and activity in the innovation space, with several entering the Guildford Innovation awards to declare their efforts.
Entries were shortlisted for the awards which will be taking place on Thursday 17th December at 4pm and finalists were picked based on their level of innovation, degree of local impact and the commercial potential of their idea.
With such hot competition from Guildford businesses including highly technical companies based at the renowned Research Park , Student Enterprise has been incredibly well represented, with 5 companies shortlisted for the awards ceremony.
Kat Mack, Student Enterprise manager, says:
“I am so proud of how the Student Enterprise community has faced up to the challenges thrown at them and the entire population this year. They have pivoted their ideas to fit the new world we are facing and they are full of energy and passion to see their ideas come to life. It’s really exciting to watch these inspiring students and recent graduates achieve so much, and for them to be recognised locally by the Guildford Innovation Awards is fantastic.”
Student Enterprise finalists in the Young Business of the Year category are Yejide Akiode with her Kidpreneur Klub programme, teaching entrepreneurship to children, and Fiona Sweny with her tech start-up, Ingo Health, which puts access to women’s health specialists in your hands.
Shortlisting for the category of Caring for the Environment are Student Enterprise’s Minal Patel and Colin Frances with Labcycle, the laboratory plastic waste recycling company.
And in the running for the Shooting Star award, an award to recognise a young person aged 16-24 years who shows huge potential in the world of innovation, are James Buck and Jasmine Arnold. James is motivated by a need to improve the experience of fellow students and their landlords with his student housing app, Roome and Jasmine along with her sister has created a sustainable training swimwear brand using recycled yarn and ocean plastic.
Wishing all the finalists the best of luck from Student Enterprise. You can support them all at the Guildford Innovation Awards on Thursday 17th December at 4pm by grabbing your free tickets here!
