Published on 03/04/2023
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L-R Hanzalah Naguthane (Aston Vanguard); Salamat Suerkul (iNtellSupply); Dominik Kulcsar and Nikolay Stepanov (Brain Bar); Mridhula Sridharan (EarthFokus); and Umar Butt (ErmoL App)
  • Shortlisted candidates pitched their business ideas in a dragons’ den style event
  • This year, two categories were introduced to make the competition a fairer playing field
  • The Santander Universities-sponsored competition offered students the opportunity to pitch for a share of a £3500 cash prize pot.

Entrpreneurial students from Aston University competed for funding for their business ideas in a dragons’ den-style pitching competition on Thursday 23 March. 

The annual competition organised by Aston Enterprise returned this year with a fresh new name – Idea Launchpad. 

Six shortlisted candidates, carefully selected from 68 applicants, including a student vote, pitched their business ideas in a dragons’ den style event to a panel of three judges and a live audience. The Santander Universities-sponsored competition offered students the opportunity to pitch for a share of a £3500 cash prize pot.

This year, two categories were introduced to make the competition a fairer playing field. The ‘Idea’ category included anyone in the early stages of their business and ‘Launch’ captured more developed, launch-ready businesses.

The judges, Paula Whitehouse, deputy dean enterprise and engagement for the College of Business and Social Sciences at Aston University, Nicholas Davies, deputy director relationships for Santander Universities UK, and Janani Prasad co-founder at Supabite.com, awarded YogAmi first prize in the ‘Idea’ category, and Brainy Bar, first prize of the ‘launch’ category. 

Each winner received £1500 of seed funding.

Paula Whitehouse commented: 

“This year’s final was very close and choosing the winners was a difficult task. We were very impressed by all the finalists, but YogAmi and Brainy Bar’s presentations stood out as having a strong vision as well as being innovative. 

“The judges felt that they both provided the detail needed to become viable businesses.” 
 ‘Idea’ winner and undergraduate psychology student Amina Khan, behind YogAmi, offered a wellbeing space for women to retreat and rejuvenate through yoga and relaxation. 

‘Launch’ category winner was Brainy Bar by Dominik Kulcsar and Nikolay Stepanov, both undergraduates studying business enterprise development. Their high nutrient energy bars aimed to provide health energy for the brain and body.

There was also an audience vote, giving attendees and supporters the opportunity to choose their favourite business. The £500 cash prize went to Brainy Bar, making it a double win for the two business enterprise development students. 

Brainy Bar co-founder, Dominik, said: 

“Winning this year's Idea Launchpad competition and the audience vote still feels unreal. 

“However, it is the result of months of hard work as well as a sign of external validation that we are on the right path as a start-up.

“The grant will enable us to overcome our current obstacles such as investing in better manufacturing equipment, placing our first order for professional food grade packaging and funding a comprehensive laboratory food test, giving us an accurate nutritional analysis, ultimately allowing us to scale into shops before the summer!”

‘Idea’ category winner, Amina Khan, will be participating in BSEEN’s April cohort, providing a package of intensive start-up support including  

workshops, networking opportunities, tailored mentoring, grant and a co-working space to help turn her idea into a viable business.  

Amina said of winning the ‘Idea’ category: 

“Thank so much for believing in the YogAmi vision. 

“Helping to kick-start my business venture means so much to me and many women. 

“The funding will really help me to start up the yoga retreats – and has also given me motivation that my business idea can be a reality – thank you!”
 

Notes to Editors

Image: Idea launchpad 2023 finalists from left to right – Hanzalah Naguthane (Aston Vanguard); Salamat Suerkul (iNtellSupply); Dominik Kulcsar and Nikolay Stepanov (Brain Bar); Mridhula Sridharan (EarthFokus); and Umar Butt (ErmoL App)

About Aston University

Founded in 1895 and a university since 1966, Aston is a long established university led by its three main beneficiary groups – students, business and the professions, and the West Midlands region and wider society. Located in Birmingham at the heart of a vibrant city, the campus houses all the University’s academic, social and accommodation facilities for our students. Professor Aleks Subic is the Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive.

Aston University is ranked 22nd in the UK in the Guardian University Guide, based on measures including entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality and graduate prospects. The Aston Business School MBA programme was ranked in the top 100 in the world in the Economist MBA 2021 ranking.

For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Sam Cook, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44)7446 910063 or email: s.cook2@aston.ac.uk

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