Aberdeen’s students will have the chance to put their business ideas to the experts tomorrow (Tuesday, November 4) as part of national competition.
The Scottish Institute for Enterprise (SIE) New Ideas contest will give students studying in Scotland the chance to win cash prizes of up to £2,000.
The idea could be for a new business, a new product, a way of making the world a better place or even a new invention.
The event, which is a joint venture between The University of Aberdeen and The Robert Gordon University, will take place at the Copthorne Hotel from 7pm.
Speakers Sir Ian Wood (Wood Group), Dr Graeme Paton (Co-Founder of Dram) and Alex Barton (a previous winner of the competition) will recount their experiences of entrepreneurship with a view to inspiring students to develop their embryonic business ideas into viable business options.
All students or recent graduates (in the past two years) from Scottish Higher Education Institutions are eligible to enter the competition, although this regional launch is open only to the students of the two Universities.
Four finalists from this regional leg of the competition will be chosen to compete in the national final. The finalists will have the opportunity to continue their work with the SIE Regional Business Adviser, and develop their idea further.
Kim Petrie from RGU, who supports the SIE interns, commented: "The competition launch event is a great opportunity for like-minded individuals to come together and discuss enterprise over free wine and refreshments.
"As well as providing students with information about the range of support available to them at each of the Universities, those who attend will benefit from hearing the experiences of inspirational individuals, while learning about the rewards that can be obtained from running a successful business."
Janice Montgomery, from the Careers Service at the University of Aberdeen, said: "This is a rare opportunity for students who are enthusiastic about enterprise to hear from speakers of such calibre who have all been successful in different areas of business. At one point these successful entrepreneurs were in the position that these students are in – perhaps with a few good ideas but no real idea how to take them forward."
Mr Simon Fraser, Regional Business Adviser to Students, SIE added: "I would encourage any students who have even the most basic idea for a business to attend. It would be hard not to be inspired by the stories of men such as Sir Ian Wood and we hope that many who attend will feel able to enter the Business Ideas Competition.
"We would love to see students from Aberdeen University and the Robert Gordon University scoop the prizes for this competition on a national level."
The evening has been organised by Scottish Institute for Enterprise interns at each university and is supported by the Research and Innovation departments of each institution.
The event is only open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from the two Universities. Tickets for this ticket only event can be obtained from www.urgoing.com/SIElaunch. For more information about how to sign up for the competition go to: http://www.rgu.ac.uk/credo/students/ or email href="mailto:sie.intern@abdn.ac.uk" title="mailto:sie.intern@abdn.ac.uk">sie.intern@abdn.ac.uk</a></p>