Graduate business claims university prize

LEEDS-based web and graphic design agency Creode has been named winner of Leeds University’s annual business plan competition and awarded £1,500 in prize money.

The company was founded last year by Luke Harrison and James Hannford following after graduating from the university.

Despite only trading for a short while the firm, which employs two other staff, has secured a number of high profile clients including children’s TV programme Big & Small, East London University and the Northern Technology Institute.

It will now be entered for the Regional Enteprise Awards – the winners of which will be announced at Venturefest Yorkshire.

This year’s second prize, worth £1,000, was awarded to Dr Olga Kubassova, who last year was named Yorkshire Forward’s Entrepreneur of the Year.

Dr Kubassova’s company, Image Analysis produces software products and systems for users of MRI equipment, enabling doctors and medical researchers to explore and analyse MRI data.

Dr Kubassova gained her PhD from the School of Computing at Leeds University in 2007 developing algorithms for automated data analysis. She is currently looking at developing products for areas of medicine such as cancer screening.

Third prize has been awarded to Caroline Mason, who opened the Lilliputs Montaditos Bar in Headingley last year.

Having graduated from the University in 2007, Ms Mason spent a year working in food outlets to gain some hands-on experience before starting her own business.

“I’m really pleased to have been recognised in the competition,” she said.

“Business is going from strength to strength and we’re about to launch an outside catering and business meetings food service and I plan to use the £500 prize money to help fund a launch materials for it.”