Science party business triumphs in enterprise awards
A NEW business launched by two young scientists and which aims to make science fun for children was among the winners at Sheffield Hallam University’s Enterprise Challenge event last night.
Science Party-cles, a business developing science-themed birthday parties and educational events created by Chloe Oakland and Katie Stalker, was voted the best of five new enterprises which presented at the event winning them £2,000 to further develop their idea.
The overall Enterprise Challenge winner was Silver Top Brewing, launched by David Hewitt and Mark Tuckett, which brews and deliver premium quality beers. They won £5,000 to invest in their venture in the annual competition for former Sheffield Hallam students which is sponsored by hlw Keeble Hawson solicitors, manufacturer Gripple, Finance Yorkshire and Electric Works.
Runner up in the audience vote and third prize winner in the Enterprise Challenge was a business which designs and creates tactile maps for the visually impaired.
Patricia Dieng developed TacMAp to help visitors around the Olympic Park in London and will shortly be available at the Holiday Inn in Sheffield, as well as at Meadowhall Interchange and Pond Street bus stations.
She said: “The maps give visually impaired people confidence, independence, dignity and extra safety.
“The TacMaps enable them to navigate buildings and venues by identifying where key features like the lifts and the exits are. And evidence suggests they are giving visually impaired people new confidence.”
Product design graduate Mike Moore was second in the Enterprise Challenge. He is behind Fold, a business aiming to make music festivals more environmentally friendly. Its first product is a water-resistant cardboard seat that can be composted after use.
Sheila Quairney, business and enterprise manager, said: “Our annual Enterprise Challenge competition is a great way of stimulating and supporting potential student and graduate businesses and has been the catalyst for many successful business start ups.
“I would like to congratulate all the finalists and am certain that they can approach their future prospects with confidence thanks to their selection in a very challenging and rewarding competition.”
Sheffield Hallam graduate Kal Atwal, group director at BGL Group and managing director of comparethemarket.com, spoke at the event.
