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Haberdashers' Company awards £1,500 grants to 9 enterprising UEL graduates

Wednesday 11 April 2007

Nine enterprising University of East London (UEL) graduates are celebrating after each being awarded £1,500 from the Haberdashers' New Entrepreneurs Fund, recently established to allow UEL students and graduates to develop innovative business ideas.

Michael Perkins of the Haberdashers’ Company, one of the oldest city livery companies, presented the entrepreneurs with certificates of success at a ceremony held in the Knowledge Dock Centre at UEL’s Docklands Campus on Monday 2 April.

Michael said: “At the Haberdashers’ Company, one of the key focus areas of our charitable support is funding promising business start-ups and giving young people the opportunity to take themselves forward. I’ve been extremely impressed by the ideas, application and talent on show here at UEL, and I look forward to hearing the success stories that result from these grants.”

The successful entrepreneurs will now develop their business ideas under the guidance of Knowledge Dock, UEL’s enterprise development and support service. Many have already been working on plans in UEL’s HotHatch business generator, which offers crucial support to entrepreneurs during the set-up stages of their new companies.

Awad Bhenick (25), of Ilford, is a UEL Media and Advertising graduate who now runs Blue Sky Media, a video design and production company, from his base in the HotHatch. Awad said: “Studying at UEL was a wonderful experience, not least because of the opportunities I've had to develop my entrepreneurial skills. This grant is typical of the way Knowledge Dock works so hard to support me and countless other entrepreneurs and businesses in East London.”

Thorsten Klein, Manager of UEL’s HotHatch, added: “The support we receive from the Haberdashers' Company is instrumental in allowing our students and graduates to set up their own businesses. Working together, we can provide a wonderful platform, allowing our entrepreneurs to make their plans and dreams come true.”

Knowledge Dock contributes to the economic and social development of East London and Thames Gateway through provision of a range of business development and support services to inventors, businesses, academics, students and entrepreneurs. For further information, visit www.knowledgedock.com.

Other UEL students and graduates receiving Haberdashers’ grants include:

Jody Turay (26), of Stratford, graduated this year from his BA (hons) degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With the support of Knowledge, Jody has established Voicing the Truth Media (VTM), a multimedia company, and is about to launch UEL’s first digital radio station. Jody said: “The launch of UEL Radio is the culmination of a lot of hard work and the fulfilment of a personal dream. I’m very grateful for the support I’ve received from Knowledge Dock and the Haberdashers’ Company and I’m excited about where things can go from here.”

Renee Puusepp (28), of Bethnal Green, is currently completing a PhD in Architecture whilst working with partners on Slider Studios, a business that develops new computer software for architects. Renee said: "Our software distributes components on a three-dimensional map, making it simpler for architects to plan neighbourhoods. This grant is a real boost and allows us to move up a gear."

Wendy Jackson (40), of Forest Gate, graduated from UEL with a combined honours degree in Marketing and Psychology and is now developing her business, Bite-Size Marketing. Wendy said: "My aim is to provide marketing services for small business owners who might otherwise be intimidated by marketing, especially the IT side of it. Our website is deliberately non-threatening, and I’ve already got quite a few customers."

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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