Doctoral Researchers and BizzInn Tenants, Blue Vine Consultants win the BQ West Midlands Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Two enterprising researchers from the University of Birmingham have been awarded the BQ Midlands Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year 2014. The event showcased some of the Midlands rising stars and recognises the most promising individuals likely to succeed in business.
Founders, Scott Hardman and Amrit Chandan launched Blue Vine Consultants in October 2013. Specialising in bringing renewable energy products to market their business provides strategic marketing direction and advice to companies, backed by tailored market intelligence reports and technical audits.
Humble in their achievements, when accepting the award Scott and Amrit were quick to point out the support they had received from the University of Birmingham, including mentoring and training on the BSEEN Scheme.
BSEEN is a joint venture between Birmingham, Aston and Birmingham City universities. BSEEN provided Scott and Amrit with a 6 month support package of training, funding and mentoring, as well as regular workshops and events. The programme is ERDF funded and runs until June 2015.
Following BSEEN, a continuation of support has been received from accessing the facilities and business support at BizzInn (Birmingham Research Park), where their company is based. BizzInn, is the business incubator run by the University of Birmingham’s Enterprise Acceleration Team and established to nurture ideas and help transform innovation to enterprise.
In particular, Scott and Amrit received advice from several BizzInn Associate Advisors on various issues; including Intellectual Property from HGF, company structure and accounting from Mazars and Market Research guidance from Accelerate Associates, as well as in-house business development advice from Andrew Cruxton and Paul Field.
Amrit also completed the University’s flagship Medici Enterprise Training Programme in January 2013. The course is run by the Enterprise Acceleration team and is designed to enable researchers to realise the commercial potential of their research.
This award illustrates the tenacity of both Scott and Amrit but also the ecosystem of enterprise support and advice available at the University of Birmingham which provides start-ups with the best possible opportunities to thrive and grow.
Scott Hardman said, “It is a real honour to receive this award, we could not have done it without the support of everyone who has helped and mentored us, including everyone at BizzInn and Birmingham Research Park, the BSEEN programme, and the guidance of Sukhdev Gill and John McKenzie.”
Ten emerging entrepreneurs were given the opportunity to shine on the night, talking enthusiastically about their business and what, in their view, it takes to be a success in business. Scott and Amrit, who were one of two winners on the night, will go on to join 7 other finalists from around the country and are invited to attend the MADE 2014 Festival Gala Dinner on September 25 in Sheffield – part of a week long festival inspiring entrepreneurship and expected to attract 4,000 delegates from all over the UK.
One of the eight entrepreneurs will be recognised as the BQ Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year.
Visit BQ Magazine for to find out more information about the awards
Visit Blue Vine Consultants to learn more about the business
Visit www.bizzinn.org to find out more about the Enterprise Acceleration team and the BizzInn
Notes:
The BSEEN project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013. The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information, visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
The BizzInn is a key element of the new Birmingham Biomedical Innovation Hub being built on the Birmingham Research Park, and due for completion in 2014. The Birmingham Biomedical Innovation Hub is a £6.8m project (part-funded by the European Development Fund (ERDF), aimed at increasing the engagement of companies in the biomedical and related sectors with the University of Birmingham and encouraging access to affordable laboratory facilities.
