Eight Strathclyde-led businesses pitched their ventures for a share of £26,000 funding at the biannual Strathclyde Inspire100 event.
Held at the Strathclyde Students’ Union on Wednesday 19 November, the startup and spin-out teams competed for a share of the funding, while two spin-in companies took to the stage to share their journeys and ambitions.
All eight presenters called on an audience of Inspire Supporters, industry leaders, experienced founders and investors from high-profile organisations for guidance, investment and introductions.
Entrepreneurial opportunities
The biannual Inspire100 event is organised by Strathclyde Inspire – the University’s flagship entrepreneurship programme which offers entrepreneurial training and opportunities to all students, staff members and alumni.
Chelsea Jarvie, founder of Neon Guard , which is building the world’s first anonymous age assurance platform, received a total of £11,000, with £5,000 from Santander Universities, matched by £5,000 from the Stephen Young Entrepreneurship Award. A further £1,000 came from the People’s Choice Award donated by The RACS Foundation.
Speaking on her win, she said:
The funding now allows me to secure my IP through a patent application and push into the next phase of Neon Guard’s development, which moves us closer to an internet that’s safer for children and more resilient for all.
Alexandre Trubert-Paneli and Kimia Witte from 3B Biotech also received a total of £10,000, while the founders of Velocity Edge, Callum Samuel and Josh Duncan, received £5,000 from Santander Universities.
Strong ecosystem
Fiona Ireland, Head of Entrepreneurship Strategy at Strathclyde, said: “Inspire100 shows what’s possible when our founders are supported by a strong ecosystem of partners, mentors, and investors.
“We’re proud of every team who pitched, and incredibly thankful to our funding partners for enabling us to continue backing entrepreneurial talent at Scotland’s leading entrepreneurial campus.”
The Stephen Young Entrepreneurship Awards form part of a programme created as an important element of a £50 million donation to Strathclyde by the charitable foundation of alumnus, entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr Charles Huang PhD.
Largest gift
The donation, the largest gift in the University’s history, is supporting the university’s work in transforming lives, supporting the economy and nurturing entrepreneurship.
The award is presented in memory of the late Professor Stephen Young, former Head of Strathclyde’s Department of Marketing and Dr Huang’s supervisor and mentor during his PhD studies.
The event was also attended by Professor Stephen McArthur, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Strathclyde, along with four of the University’s Senior Enterprise Fellows.
The judging panel for the event was Clara Baltay (Par Equity), Peter Silver (SNIB), and Louise Mackie (Foresight Group).