An Aston University student and graduate business startup support programme has celebrated its 10th
year in operation.
BSEEN, a collaboration of four Birmingham universities led by Aston University, marked a decade of
supporting student and graduate entrepreneurs with an awards dinner on 4 May 2023. Mike Bander, an Aston University alumnus and recipient of an honorary doctorate, was guest speaker and gave a keynote
speech.
The programme has helped over 800 new businesses to launch through 31 intensive startup bootcamps
and a network of 85 business mentors.
The awards night at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham showcased the student and graduate entrepreneurs
supported by BSEEN and the mentors and professional services organisations who have worked to help
startups through surgeries, drop-ins and round table discussions.
Mike Bandar, international business trainer and speaker and founding partner of Turn Partners, said:
“The power of the collective community has changed “I” into “us”.
“Personal ambition is essential, but the true spirit of entrepreneurship is to unite, collaborate and
transform.
“Diversity gives us strength by not seeing competitors as rivals, but partners.”
Professor Zoe Radnor, pro-vice chancellor and executive dean of the College of Business and Social
Sciences at Aston University, said:
“I have heard so much about BSEEN that was amazing and I am looking forward to supporting young
people to achieve their goals despite European funding for the scheme coming to an end.”
Paula Whitehouse, deputy dean for enterprise and engagement at Aston University, said: “The programme has delivered a big social and economic impact with businesses ranging from hand-
crafted paper goods to medical devices.”
Carolyn Keenan, BSEEN project manager, said:
“It has been a privilege to be involved with the programme from the beginning.”
The eight awards presented during the event went to the following:
- BSEEN Rising Star
- Winner: Ruth Mestel and Charis McRoberts, Calathea Arts
- Highly Commended: Denise Amory-Reid, Amory R Management
- BSEEN Champion Award
- Winner: Ben Brophy, Ad Valorem Accountants
- Highly Commended: Richard Freeman and Jamie Partington, Higgs LLP
- Award for Technology
- Winner: Alliyah and Amirah Khan, Our Tied Camel
- Highly Commended: Safe Queen Team
- Award for Creative Industries
- Winner: Morgan Grice, Odd Orange
- Highly Commended: Andrea Craciun, Sweetest Mango Illustration
- Award for Innovation
- Winner: David Akraka, Akreon Technology
- Highly Commended: Hardeep Randhawa, ProLimbs
- Award for Social Impact
- Winner: Cleo Morris, Mission Diverse
- Highly Commended: Jamaal O’Driscoll, O’D Collective
- BSEEN Community Award
- Winner: Shovon Wiggan, Inspire-a-Doll
- Highly Commended: Janani Prasad, Supabite.com
- Award for Small Business Growth
- Winner: Bobby Bradstock, Serenity Psychotherapy
- Highly Commended: Joseph Housley and Connor Watt, Narce Media and Ben Curtis, Hobby Store Group.