Three Computing students reach final of Business Start-Up Journey Pitching Competition

Three School of Computing students, Miguel Cardona Polo (BSc Computer Science with a Year in Industry) and Emmanuel Ojo-Williams (BSc Computer Science) and Geraldine Nyathi (MSc Computer Science), have been selected as finalists for this year’s Business Start-Up Journey Pitching Competition, which will be held on Wednesday 31 March at 2pm via Zoom.

The finalists chosen for this year's Business Start-Up Journey Pitching Competition will pitch start-up plans including a vegan e-commerce site, swimwear, nutrition and fitness app and a portable light ring.

As well as Miguel, Emmanuel, and Geraldine, finalists include Mercy Adeniji (Economics with German), Jessica Lambert (Sport and Exercise Science), and Shanice Edwards, Viktoria Bogos, Naavyaa Rangen, and Daniella Coxall (Kent Business School). The finalists will prepare 5-minute pitches to be sent to the judging panel ahead of the competition, and at the live Zoom competition, they will present a two-minute elevator pitch and face questions from the judges.

The judging panel for the competition includes:

• Daniel Rubin, founder and CEO of the global footwear brand Dune London and University of Kent alumnus.
• Laura Bounds MBE, owner of award-winning food companies Kent Crisps, Kentish Oils, Kentish Condiments and A Little Bit Food Co.
• Dean Johnson, Managing Director of international medi-tech company Haag Streit UK.
• Emay Enemokwu, founder of the street-wear brand Jehu-cal, former Business Start-Up Journey finalist and Kent Business School alumnus.
• Nadia Simpson, founder of natural beauty brand Nadia Esi, former Business Start-Up Journey finalist and Kent Business School final stage Accounting and finance student.
• Kevin Bardwell, Relationship Manager at Santander Universities, which supports the Business Start-Up Journey

The winner of the pitching competition will receive £1000 to help start their business, with two runners-up prizes of £500 each. While the judges decide on the winners, finalists and the audience can compete in a fun quiz with the chance to win £100 to spend at selected ASPIRE start-up businesses.

All students are welcome to join the finale screening on Wednesday 31 March at 2pm, here:
https://zoom.us/j/94872830841?pwd=WXV4Y3lCTHU5VnYvMkIwSCtjMUJ4QT09