Student entrepreneurs have big ideas

Students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) have put their entrepreneurial skills to the test in a live challenge aimed at enhancing graduate enterprise and boosting employability.

The Big Idea Challenge tasked 25 students from a variety of disciplines to respond to a real life brief set by Liverpool-based St Vincent’s School for the Blind, in collaboration with the University and global accountancy firm KPMG.

Participants were asked to contribute a winning idea to the St Vincent “sightbox”, a range of inclusion and support products and technologies, which will allow visually impaired children access to sport, education and training.

The students, whose fields of study ranged from cybercrime to social work, pitched their business proposals to a panel of expert judges and developed entrepreneurial skills in problem solving, team work, planning, communication and presentation.

Ideas included mobile apps, smoothie drinks and community events, and students used UCLan’s specialist facilities, such as 3D printing and vacuum formers, to bring their concepts to life.

Team Fossil, made up of archaeology students Chloe Scott and Arnold Khelifi, acting student Cameron Jones and economics student Humeira Sheriwala, was named overall winning team. Their idea was to re-create Roman Britain in the classroom using audio sounds and narrative explanations to bring history for life.

Team member,Cameron Jones,said: “Our idea was to create an audio experience for all children to immerse them in the history of Roman Britain with the help of a few additional props. Having a team made up of students from such different disciplines was really helpful as we all brought different ideas to the table and bounced off each other.”

In addition, the student who showed the most entrepreneurial flair on a personal level was awarded a Most Outstanding Individual prize. The accolade went to final year international business student, 24-year-old Curtis Jones, who received a placement at KPMG.

Curtis said: “I can’t find the words to say how pleased I am to be given this opportunity as it’s an organisation I’ve been interested in for some time. I am so glad that I decided to take part in this event which has proved to be insightful and very worthwhile.”

Jake Patterson, managing director of Juvo Designs which works with St Vincent’s School to support the integration of technology to enhance the lives of people with a sensory impairment, represented the school at the event.

He commented: “Today we’ve seen a wide range of dynamic ideas that stuck well to the briefs the students were given. All of the students showed a lot of passion and it just shows how young people can think creatively to solve real-world problems and deliver solutions.”

Talking about the winning team, Fossil, Jake added: “This team came up with an innovative idea that will really engage the children it is aimed at. It’s imaginative and well thought out; congratulations to a very worthy winning team.”

“ The effort and thinking the students displayed was very impressive, the presentations were also professional and the students remained calm throughout.”

Siddiq Musa, partner at KPMG, said: “The effort and thinking the students displayed was very impressive, the presentations were also professional and the students remained calm throughout. The experience will be valuable to them both in their education and beyond, and I’m sure St Vincent’s will also benefit and some of their ideas can be brought to life.”

The Big Idea Challenge offers networking opportunities for students and graduates to speak directly with social entrepreneurs, technology innovators, corporate finance specialists and careers experts, as well as the 40 business tenants of the UCLan Business Incubation Area.

To find out more about the Big Ideas Challenge contact Glynn Morgan, careers adviser or Farhad Ahmed, student and graduate enterprise adviser. Web link: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/news/student-entrepreneurs.php

Enjoyed this? Read more from University of Lancashire

Latest news

1

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University Keir Starmer meets Indian PM and included Prof Simon Guy Lancaster University. Pic Simon Dawson

New India branch campus on the horizon for Lancaster University

09 Oct 2025

2

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026 Best Events and Talented students on Lancashire Tourism Awards finalist list

Best events and talented students complete finalists list for Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

09 Oct 2025

3

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards Andrew Dewhurst with the award win

East Lancashire Learning Group named UK digital transformation leader in CIO 100 Awards

09 Oct 2025

4

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool Jason Davenport PHX Training

PHX Training appoints new business leader in Blackpool

09 Oct 2025

5

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues
EventBrite NORi - 22nd Oct Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
22 Oct 2025 - 22 Oct 2025

HR Essentials for pubs, bars and licensed venues

Online - Teams, Leyland, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin