The money has been generated from the university’s Venture Programme.
The students with growing enterprises spanned a variety of sectors, including music-based support, African fashion, and game development.
The Venture Programme guides students and recent graduates in the realm of business, giving them the expertise and skills needed to start a personal business or build on an existing freelance career.
The programme is available to students of all study levels and disciplines and offers content from relevant industry partners to cater to the many stages of the entrepreneurial journey.
This year, nine students and graduates attended a two-day event in June where they had the opportunity to pitch their proposals to a panel of judges.
This platform offered the chance to secure start-up funding and a range of business prizes.
The year saw the involvement of more than 1,500 students and graduates in entrepreneurial activity, resulting in the creation of more than 140 new businesses via the Venture Pitch.
The judging panel at the event was made up of people from diverse fields such as RTC North, Forresters, and the University of Chester.
Participants were required to present a five-minute pitch outlining their business models and fundamental ideas.
£5,000 was generously provided by Santander Universities UK, which was then shared between five businesses.
Additionally, £2,000 from the University of Chester’s Career and Employability grants were shared between businesses
Business-support prizes worth more than £6,000 were awarded during the event.
Melissa Knight, a Dyslexia and Research Practice postgraduate recipient, received £1,750 from Santander for her venture, The Musician Clinician.
This unique platform is aimed at providing music-based intervention, speech therapy, and dyslexia assessment to children and young people aged seven to 18 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Meg Dempsey a second year Business Management student, was presented with £1,250 Santander funding for Dempsey Digital Marketing.
Then Daniel Gruffudd-Jones, a first-year Product Design student was awarded £1,000 from Santander for Piano Play.
Also selected was Helle Hammonds, a Psychology master’s student, who received £500 Santander funding for Thrive Continuum.
John Oji, a postgraduate International Business graduate, was presented with £500 from Santander and a professional logo for his business, Banknbook.
Other students were given things to help with their new adventures, such as logos, websites and technology.
Mr Gruffudd-Jones praised the event and the experience it provided, saying: “Thank you for the Venture Pitch, Venture Programme and Enterprise Development Programme; for all the great prizes, the new contacts and the experience.
“It has been wonderful to be part of these initiatives and has truly made my summer.”
Amber Gaffoor, entrepreneurship co-ordinator within the University’s Careers and Employability team, said: “The Venture Pitch 2024 highlighted an incredible amount of entrepreneurial spirit across the University. Each and every individual showed true commitment, dedication and passion in pursuing their business idea and we are so excited to see where they take their businesses in the next few months and beyond.
“Thank you to our Venture partners and Santander Universities for your continued support.”
For more information on the Venture Programme and supporting Venture Pitch in the future, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/student-life/careers-and-employability/employability/.
For anyone wanting to get involved you can contact the team at venture@chester.ac.uk.