Student ‘business brains’ to be awarded

Students with the best brains for business will be rewarded tomorrow (Friday 30th April 2004) by the University of St Andrews, when the winners of their Student Business Plan competition will be announced.

The Student Business Plan Competition – launched last year – has a prize fund of £10,000 in return for creative, innovative and commercially viable new business start-up ideas from students of the University. The competition is organised by Christopher Venditozzi, the University’s Student Enterprise Officer.

The Competition was open to all undergraduates and postgraduates in the Faculties of Science and Arts for business ideas in the areas of Service/Lifestyle or Science/Technology.

Winners of the top prize will win £2000 while runners up will receive £1000 or £500. The competition’s main sponsors are business leaders Accenture and The Entrepreneurial Exchange and in addition to the two main prizes, the following categories will be judged:

Student Societies Investment Stream (sponsored by Student Enterprise at the University of St Andrews) Legal Advice Award (sponsored by Blackadders Solicitors) Best Business Plan Award (sponsored by Lloyds TSB Scotland) Most Innovative Idea Award (sponsored by Clydesdale Bank)

Local bookshop John Smith and Son have also offered Commendation Awards, winners of which will receive £50 gift tokens.

From over 25 teams who submitted a plan, the final will see 8 teams fight for the winning awards. The plans will be judged by a panel consisting of representatives of the University and other business professionals.

Weblinks: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/sie.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

DETAILS OF WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED TOMORROW (FRIDAY 30th MAY 2004).

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews Contact Gayle Cook on 01334 467227, mobile 07900 050103, or email [email protected] Ref: Business Plan Awards pr 290404.doc View the latest University news at http://www.st- andrews.ac.uk/extrel/press.htm