Business Idea Competition creates interesting possibilities

An outdoor adventure game that promotes an interest in history is the intriguing result of a Business Idea Competition for Bangor University students held recently. The competition, sponsored by the Welsh Assembly Government, is one of numerous activities held by the B-Enterprising Project at the Careers & Employability Service to stimulate, create and raise awareness of enterprise amongst students and graduates.

Ideas were invited for a product, service or social enterprise and entries were judged against criteria of creativity, innovation and feasibility.

Sonia Fizek receives her iPod from Chris Walkes, and is congratulated by Lynn Goodhew, Head of the Careers & Employability Service and Michelle Hamlet of B-EnterprisingThe winning entry is an idea to develop an adventure game based on a creative story scenario, interwoven with interactive elements, which offers possibilities for the topics used. For example, it could promote history in Wales to a wide ranging of people. The prize of an iPad was won by Sonia Fizek, a postgraduate student in the University’s School of Creative Studies and Media.

Sonia said: “It was quite difficult to confine my idea into 200 words- and in that respect it was a good exercise as I had to boil down my ideas to something manageable. Ideas come naturally to me - and I may develop my idea later, but at the moment I’m focussing on completing my PhD. I’m looking at characters in role-playing video games. I aim to work in academia or to develop my own business, so this competition has been an interesting experience!”

Chair of the judges, Chris Walker of Venture Wales, was greatly impressed by the quality and originality of the ideas and the enterprising spirit of the students at Bangor.

“It was a pleasure to look at, consider and assess the 34 interesting, enterprising and novel business ideas presented. With so many good ideas to choose from, it was a real challenge to decide which idea was the most feasible and innovative. And the range was very wide, from eco products, food ideas, domestic bar coding, to different types of websites and heritage services. There is no doubt that a significant number of these business ideas have good potential and would be worth exploring further” said Chris Walker, who is the Welsh Assembly Government’s sponsored business mentor for Bangor University and who will be offering free support to the students to develop their ideas.

The B-Enterprising Team would like to thank all of the students who took part for their interesting and innovative ideas.
ENDS
15.12.10

Publication date: 15 December 2010