Student entrepreneur reaches for the stars at Virgin Galactic
A UNIVERSITY of York student entrepreneur took his ambitions to be a business leader to new heights when he met Sir Richard Branson at the tycoon’s Virgin Galactic headquarters.
Charlie Simpson-Daniel was one of a select few invited to meet the Virgin Group founder as a way of fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs.
The second year management student’s health company Kings Biltong was one of only two UK businesses chosen to represent Start-Up Loans, a Government-backed scheme which has provided funding for Charlie’s enterprise.
He said: “It was in every aspect an education for me to meet Sir Richard Branson. Meeting a man who has not just experienced incredible success in business, but who was able to walk around the room offering sandwiches to aspiring, young entrepreneurs and listen to their stories was inspiring.
“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Richard and an experience I will not forget.”
Kings Biltong is a new company created by Charlie and his brothers Mark and James with the aim of sharing their love and passion for Biltong, a cured meat that originated in South Africa, with the health industry.
Former professional rugby players Charlie and Mark and current Gloucester rugby player James are promoting the product as an after training snack and believe it to be “the future of sports nutrition.”
Charlie has received proof of concept funding and support from the University of York’s student enterprise team.
Jessica Noon, enterprise officer in careers, said: “Charlie is going from strength to strength with his business and the fact that he was invited to attend such a prestigious event comes at an exciting time for his company. He is a fantastic example of the potential of our student entrepreneurs.”
