Rising business stars honoured by Inverness College UHI

Scotland’s brightest business prospects gathered for their prestigious awards at the College’s sixth annual UHI Business Idea Competition.

The event was organised by CREATE, the Highland Centre for Enterprise and Innovation at Inverness College UHI.

Open to all residents of the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire, who are aged 16 years or over, the competition aimed to encourage innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Finalists were then invited to a ‘Dragons Den’ style judging event on November 16^th at Inverness College UHI where they had to present their ideas to a panel of esteemed judges, including Mairi Fraser of The Drawing Room, Donald Mackenzie from Business Gateway and Iain Scott of Highland Venture Capital Limited.

On the night, top prize and the award for ‘Best Social Enterprise Idea’ were handed to Penny Phillips & Laura Nicolson. The duo has a passion for cycling and aim to set up a hub in Inverness that provides a range of much needed services for all types of cyclists in the town.

‘Best Commercial Idea’ was awarded to Tsara Cole. Tsara is from Inches in Inverness and her idea was to kit out a double decker bus as a traditional barber’s shop, painted like a barber’s stripy pole.

Jenny Thomas scooped ‘Best Student Idea’. The Pre-Apprentice Electrical Installation student plans to set up ‘Sparkles’ – an all-girl electrical company offering an exclusive standard of customer care. Jenny commented: “I’m absolutely shocked – pardon the pun! The idea came from the fact that I’m one of the only girls in my class at Inverness College UHI. Once I get my apprenticeship I want to really develop the idea.. I love the subject I’m studying at college and receiving this award has really spurred me on to take my ideas all the way.”

‘Most Innovative Idea’ was issued to Hector MacInnes from the Isle of Skye. Hector would like to develop a series of informative and entertaining audio guides to the Highlands, exploiting online and app formats.

Kevin Jeffrey from Fortrose is planning a business which will provide an innovative wastewater treatment system for both commercial and domestic markets. His confident business-like style was recognised with the ‘Best Presentation’ award.

Finally, ‘Most Creative Idea’ was handed to Alison Woodside. Alison wants to set up ‘Sprig’ – a community workshop attracting those interested in working together to produce a branded range of textile products. The enterprise would focus on sharing skills and knowledge, provide learning opportunities and promote enterprise.

The winners have all received a share of the £7000 prize fund as well as expert advice from CREATE and Business Gateway, helping them get their fledgling businesses off the ground.

The CREATE centre at Inverness College UHI is funded by the European Social Fund, The Highland Council, Scotland’s Colleges to help students and graduates increase their enterprising skills and to help individuals start up their own business and become self employed.