Enterprising students hoping to become the next Alan Sugar were put through their business paces at an Enterprise Boot Camp, hosted by the University of Southampton.
This event brought together 25 enterprising students from Southampton, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton Solent and Winchester Universities to pit their business acumen and entrepreneurial skills against each other for a share of the £2,000 prize.
Now in its fourth year, this annual event is scheduled to coincide with Global Enterprise Week and took place on Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 November.
Working in mixed-institution teams, the students were given an ‘Apprentice’ style challenge to find a solution to a real business problem. Like the participants in the hit reality TV show, the students were given the challenge on the day, to be completed by the following afternoon.
The aim is to develop the students’ skills, knowledge and understanding of business concepts and encourage the spirit of enterprise. It helps students assess their business skills and evaluate whether they might be ready and able to start their own ventures. It is open to students from any academic programme, from computer science to engineering and arts.
The event was sponsored by Business Link and the Hampshire Economic Partnership. Anne Duncan from the Hampshire Economic Partnership comments: “We are always keen to sponsor the university Boot Camps as it is an excellent way of bringing university students and business together. It also gives the students an opportunity to test their business and presentation skills in a real-world environment.
“Many students go on to form successful businesses, which makes it very worthwhile and it is a way of promoting enterprise and innovation throughout the university community. In addition, it shows business how important such projects are in encouraging university start-ups.”
Tony Raven, Director of the University’s Research and Innovation Service, adds: “We have a strong enterprise agenda and that starts with our students who will build and run the businesses of the future. It’s great to be able to host this year’s Boot Camp, working with all the other universities in the area as well business to create a unique and inspiring event for our students.
“Enterprise Boot Camp offers a focused and intensive way for students to gain experience via an active business challenge rather then just theory, giving them an insight into the business acumen, financial literacy and creative thinking required to be successful in the workplace and in starting their own ventures.”
As part of the Enterprise Boot Camp, Mike Southon, weekly columnist for the Financial Times, entrepreneur mentor and co-author of ‘The Beermat Entrepreneur’ series of books, gave a thought-provoking and informative presentation.