A team of entrepreneurial University of Ulster students have won an innovative competition designed to create the business leaders of the future.
Organised by the UU’s Students’ Union, the Enterprise Project invited students to pitch for the chance to run their own pop-up shop on campus for a day.
Colleen O’Donnell, Emma Mullan, Shaunagh Devlin and Karen Wray scooped nearly £2,000 in prize money after winning The Apprentice-style contest.
Their cupcake business generated over £800 in profits after one day’s trading at Jordanstown beating stiff competition from rival teams.
The students were supported in their new business venture by mentors from the university’s Office of Innovation and also took part in workshops delivered by local entrepreneurs.
Professor Deirdre Heenan, Pro Vice Chancellor for communication, said: “The University of Ulster puts employability at the heart of its student experience.
“This Enterprise Project is an excellent opportunity to help students gain the necessary business skills that they will need to compete in today’s highly competitive market place.”
Claire Flannagan, Students’ Union president, added: “This initiative gives our students a chance to put their entrepreneurial skills to the test. It gives them an idea of what it is really like to start up a business of their own and in terms of enhancing employability, its look great on their CV.”
Speaking at the Student Enterprise Awards Ceremony, hosted at the Belfast campus, Karen Wray, a member of the winning team, said: “We are thrilled to have won the Enterprise Project. We worked so hard on our pricing strategy and branding, as well as making and icing 1,000 cupcakes.
“I have learnt so much from this project such as time management skills, how to be creative with a small budget and negotiating with other local businesses.”