Two entrepreneurs whose start-up ideas were brought to life during their time with Edinburgh Napier have both scooped a top funding award.
Edinburgh Napier graduates Sydney Chasin and Martina Zupan made it through to the finals of the Wild Card EDGE and Young EDGE categories respectively as part of the wider Scottish EDGE competition.
At the official awards ceremony yesterday (14 December), both were awarded funding of £10,000 in front of a packed audience at the Royal Bank of Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh.
Sydney was one of 11 Wild Card Edge winners, with Martina one of 12 Young EDGE winners. Nearly 200 businesses were eligible for both categories, with 22 selected for the final of each.
Scottish EDGE is a competition aimed at identifying and supporting Scotland’s up-and-coming, innovative, high-growth potential entrepreneurial talent. To date, it has awarded £9m to nearly 300 businesses. Its Young EDGE competition focuses on supporting companies whose directors are all aged 18-30, while Wild Card EDGE is a judges’ award category that requires the collective agreement of the assessment panel that you or your company has the ‘wow’ factor.
A graduate in financial services with entrepreneurship, Sydney was inspired to start her own business after completing her studies and became the first recipient of the Edinburgh Napier’s graduate entrepreneurship visa sponsorship.
Her product – Lil’ Pop – is a healthy snack that uses a crop called sorghum to produce an alternative to popcorn. Her company – The Healthy Crop – currently operates out of Edinburgh Napier’s Bright Red Triangle incubator at Merchiston as she gears up to bring Lil’ Pop to a commercial market.
Martina graduated from Edinburgh Napier’s product design course earlier this year, with her innovative start-up – Alterwaste – focused on creating valuable sustainable materials out of waste by-products.
Her line of disposable tableware made from waste eggshells – Colleggtion – was developed as part of her final year project and she is now working on her eggshell material to replace plastic in a variety of industries. Her work is also being supported through Bright Red Triangle.
Martina Zupan said: “Scottish EDGE was my first competition where I had to pitch live, so it was very nerve wrecking. But all the amazing people involved (judges, Scottish EDGE team and other inspiring entrepreneurs) have made the whole experience very positive and exciting. I feel extremely proud to have won the Young EDGE award and this achievement gives me extra confidence in turning my idea into reality.”
Sydney Chasin said: “I’m honoured to be part of the Scottish EDGE competition and be one of the eleven Wildcard winners. This award is a game changer for the speed in which we can develop lil’POP and reach company goals. Pitching and asking for funds can be daunting, but the Scottish EDGE team and judges have made the entire process a wonderful and memorable journey.”
More information on the competition can be found at: https://scottishedge.com/
More information on Lil’ Pop can be found at: https://thelilpops.com/
More information on Alterwaste can be found at: http://alterwaste.com/
Pictured: L-R, Martina Zupan and Sydney Chasin. © Sandy Young Photography
The stars of Scotland’s mountain bike scene have been recognised at the annual Scottish Mountain Bike Awards.
Organised by the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, more than 150 guests attended the awards evening last Thursday (16 November) at the Drygate Brewery in Glasgow.
A total of 13 awards were presented to riders, businesses, clubs, event organisers, community groups, tourism and services companies who have excelled throughout 2017.
A public vote was held for the Mountain Bike Rider of the Year with Katy Winton and Lewis Buchanan taking home the prizes. Both ride for Trek Factory Racing in the Enduro World Series.
The Best Mountain Bike Event was once again won by the Tweedlove Bike Festival.
In the business category, newcomer A S D-Xine – founded by former Robert Gordon University student Andrew Davidson – won the Best Product award with its revolutionary Go-Charge hydration device.
Milngavie-based Flaer took home the Best Scottish Exporter award, with the Best Business to Academic Collaboration award going to the University of Strathclyde and ByCyclogical for their work developing an innovative cycling storage device. Cleikum Mill in Innerleithen won the MTB Friendly Accommodation award and Off the Grid won the Best Service Provider prize.
In the participation and sport categories, Bespoke took the hotly contested MTB Community Project prize, with Midlothian Cycles taking home MTB Club of the Year.
Guest presenters on the night included Stu Thomson of Cut Media – regular collaborators with Danny MacAskill – and Chris Ball – managing director of the Enduro World Series.
Danny Cowe, co-presenter of the evening and business development executive of the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland said: “The awards evening was a fantastic opportunity to showcase and celebrate all the fantastic achievements within the Scottish mountain bike community. With such a large turnout on the night and with over 65 nominees throughout the categories, it shows that the sport and industry is in a strong place.”
Graeme McLean, project manager of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, said: “We know that there is still issues and challenges in Scottish mountain biking, and we are working hard to solve them but we do need to take the time celebrate our successes. By bringing everyone together we can highlight and promote the great range of activity which is happening in Scottish mountain biking. We are always inspired to hear how our community, clubs, businesses and riders are punching above their weight in the world of mountain biking.”
List of winners;
• Scottish Mountain Bike Product Innovation of the Year – AS D-Zine Ltd, Go Charge
• Best Scottish Business Collaboration with a University – ByCyclogical and University of Strathclyde
• Endura Exporter of the Year – Flaer
• Scottish MTB Friendly Accommodation Provider of the Year – Cleikum Mill Lodge, Innerleithen
• Edinburgh Napier University Scottish MTB Service Provider of the Year – Off the Grid MTB
• Event of the Year – Tweedlove Bike Festival
• Scottish Cycling MTB Photograph of the Year – James McLean
• MTB video of the Year – H&I Adventures, On Wandering
• Shand Cycles Scottish Mountain Bike Club of the Year – Midlothian Cycle Club
• IBIS Cycles Scottish Mountain Bike Community Project of the Year – Bespoke
• Scottish Mountain Biking Local Hero – Barbara Murray and Euan Speirits
• Scottish Female Rider of the Year – Katy Winton
• Scottish Male Rider of the Year – Lewis Buchanan
Pictured: MTB Service Provider of the Year (L-R: Graeme McLean (DMBINS), Off the Grid MTB, Prof Geraint Florida James of Edinburgh Napier University)
Edinburgh Napier played host to an initiative which gives students the chance to take up trustee positions on charity boards.
Seventy students took part in the Trustee Week event at the Craiglockhart campus, held in collaboration with Santander and RSM.
The students heard presentations and discussed volunteering opportunities with Scottish SPCA, National Trust Scotland, Chest Heart & Stroke, Inspiring Scotland, Edinburgh
Fringe, Blackwood and Carr Gomm.
The event, organised by university Get on Board (GOB) team Dr Miles Weaver and Dr Jackie Brodie, also heard from Angus Hannah, who told how GOB boosted his skills set,
prepared him for the world of work and led to a role as Vice Chair of the Voluntary Action Fund.
The Get on Board programme was launched with the aim of placing Edinburgh Napier students on the boards of local charities, voluntary sector organisations or public
bodies, where they could network with professionals and help make decisions which impact on the community.
The university team have now adapted the training model from the programme to produce a Get on Board ‘competency pathway’ that can be used by any Scottish university
which opts into the initiative.
A presentation by Dr Miles Weaver showed how the competency pathway was developed from research by the GOB team about the benefits the course has given students by
preparing them to be ‘Board ready’.
Additional corporate support for the development of the pathway has been given by Janet Hamblin of RSM, Arthur Lawrence of Santander and Julie Hutchinson of Standard Life
Wealth.
The GOB competency pathway offers three levels of experience for the students. Bronze level sees students supported to a foundation level of knowledge, skills and mindset
in board governance.
The Bronze award is achieved by completing a workbook, authored by the university GOB team for use on the initiative, and undertaking a reflective discussion.
Next comes the Silver level of the training experience, where students engage in 14 hours of professional development and produce a logbook of activities chosen from a
listing of those offered in board governance in Scotland.
Students then progress to the Gold level of the pathway, which includes professional recognition of a board-level role over a sustained period.
An additional benefit of undertaking the GOB pathway is the option to pursue further accreditation through the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners (ACGP), a
governance professional body.
Dr Brodie, a senior lecturer in Entrepreneurship, said: “It is interesting to note that of the 1800 voluntary sector organisations across Edinburgh, an estimated 90 per
cent of voluntary organisations in the city have vacancies for trustees. By supporting our students to take up those vacant positions, we are supporting capacity
building, and the development of change makers in the community who can bring their unique skills set to address some of the key issues our society faces.
“Linked to Edinburgh Napier’s 2020 strategy, the GOB competency pathway is also helping to prepare students to be more resilient and responsible citizens able to take on
challenging, but highly rewarding roles, such as social entrepreneurs and charity leaders in the third sector.”
The Chief Executive of award-winning youth charity Young Scot today (Thursday October 26) received an honorary degree from Edinburgh Napier University.
Louise Macdonald began her career as a print journalist before moving to the voluntary sector, where her groundbreaking work has been recognised with a string of honours.
She was awarded an OBE in 2015, and a year later was named Female Director of the Year in Scotland and Third Sector Director of the Year in the UK by the Institute of Directors.
This year she was appointed as independent Chair of the new First Minister’s Advisory Council on Women and Girls, set up by FM Nicola Sturgeon to raise awareness of gender issues and champion equality.
Prior to moving to Young Scot, where she was appointed Chief Executive in 2008, Louise worked for community projects specialising in volunteering and social enterprise, before moving into national programmes supporting young people.
Earlier this year, through her role at Young Scot, Louise was elected by her international peers to become President of the European Youth Card Association, a membership body of 37 countries who provide youth mobility services to over 6.5m young people across Europe, encouraging active citizenship and inclusion.
Today she joined hundreds of students at a ceremony in the Usher Hall to receive an Honorary Doctorate of the University. Louise said: “I am thrilled to be awarded this honour by Edinburgh Napier, particularly given their commitment and hard work around widening access and participation for all young people – an issue that is close to my heart.
“I have seen first-hand how having the opportunity to learn in a place like this can transform the lives of young people and I hope I can continue to play my part in breaking down the barriers to allow even more brilliant and diverse young Scots to take that path.”
The other Edinburgh Napier University honorary degree recipients at this week’s graduation celebrations are:
• Neil Rackham, world-renowned sales expert, received an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration on Wednesday October 25.
• Professor Sally Brown, education consultant, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Education on the afternoon of Thursday October 26.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “It is wonderful to see people who have made such a significant impact in the worlds of business and education joining our celebrations.
“Their drive, talent and enthusiasm will inspire our students as they set out to make their own mark on the world.”
World-renowned sales expert Neil Rackham today (Wednesday October 25) received an honorary degree from Edinburgh Napier University.
Professor Rackham pioneered ‘consultative selling’ and has been a consultant to executives at more than 40 of the US Fortune 500 companies. He has worked with bosses at a string of leading businesses, including IBM, Xerox, Microsoft and KPMG.
Based in America, the English-born psychology graduate has also produced a series of influential titles on sales and marketing.
His business writing has been translated into more than 50 languages, and he has even turned his hand to poetry and science fiction in his spare time.
Today he joined hundreds of Edinburgh Napier students at a ceremony in the Usher Hall to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Business Administration.
Professor Rackham said: “I am delighted and honoured to be recognised by the university in this way. I have a deep affection for Scotland, and have enjoyed working with Edinburgh Napier over the last two years to enhance its reputation as a learning environment for professional selling at a time when sales-ready graduates are much sought after.”
The other Edinburgh Napier University honorary degree recipients at this week’s graduation celebrations are:
• Louise Macdonald, chief executive of award-winning charity Young Scot, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of the University on the morning of Thursday October 26.
• Professor Sally Brown, education consultant, will receive an Honorary Doctorate of Education on the afternoon of Thursday October 26.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “It is wonderful to see people who have made such a significant impact in the worlds of business and education joining our celebrations.
“Their drive, talent and enthusiasm will inspire our students as they set out to make their own mark on the world.”
Edinburgh Napier University will host a free, informative session on Scotland’s new digital currency, Scotcoin.
Scotcoin is a secure, reliable digital currency that is said to be cost-effective and cheaper than other services. The currency is anti-fraud, peer to peer, locally usable, and utilised the Bitcoin Blockchain.
At this event, Scotcoin will answer the question of ‘what does Scotcoin mean for my business?’ In addition, there will be an opportunity for networking and a Q&A session.
Click here to see the full agenda. If you own a business, then this free event is a must and spaces are likely to go fast. Those interested are invited to email info@scotcoinproject.com to RSVP.
An Edinburgh Napier student is to become head of one of the UK’s largest chain of supermarkets – for a day.
Audrey Opdycke-Barnes has been selected for leading recruitment consultancy Odgers Berndston’s CEO for a Day scheme and will take the top job with Sainsbury’s next month.
The 28-year-old, who is currently studying a Masters in Intercultural Business Communication at Edinburgh Napier, will spend a day shadowing current Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe at the leading retailer’s HQ in London in November.
The programme – which Audrey is one of only two students from Scottish universities to make the final of – aims to forge closer links between CEOs and emerging talent. It offers students an opportunity to gain first-hand experience of senior management at an early stage in their own careers.
Although a CEO role has yet to be on her radar, the opportunity to take part in the programme was one that Audrey simply could not turn down.
She said: “I received an email regarding the programme from the careers team at Edinburgh Napier. To be honest, I have never aspired to be a CEO but I was intrigued by the scheme and decided to enter.
“I popped in an initial application, worked my way through the stages and after a group interview in London, I’ve made the final 24 – I’m both surprised and delighted to officially have been selected onto the initiative!
“I wanted to challenge myself and was happy just going through the assessment process with a consultancy firm but now I’m looking forward to spending a day with the team at Sainsbury’s. It’ll be an invaluable insight into the workings of one of the UK’s biggest organisations and I’m really looking forward to it.”
For Audrey, who moved to Edinburgh from San Diego, California when she was just four-years-old, the CEO for a Day selection is another impressive addition to her CV.
She won a scholarship to attend space camp with NASA when she was just 15. She’s already studied Aerospace Engineering at University of Glasgow, she graduated with a degree in International Business from Edinburgh Napier earlier this year and has previously held roles with leading retailer H&M and within footwear brand Hunter’s international sales team.
She added: “Although my career is still very much in its infancy, I’ve always been keen to show that there is a pathway for young women to progress in their chosen field. There are not enough female CEOs in the world so it is important, through programmes like the CEO for a Day scheme, to show that it is possible to make it to the top.
“In the future I’d love to work in management within the arts and culture sector – a role within the inner workings of an organisation such as the BBC or Channel 4 is the dream.”
Scottish mountain biking and its links with business and entrepreneurs will be celebrated next month at the annual Scottish Mountain Bike Awards.
Organised by Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS), in conjunction with the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland (MTBCoS), the evening of celebration – which will take place on 16 November at the Drygate Brewery in Glasgow – will recognise those that contribute towards making the sport world class in Scotland.
Nominations are now open, with award categories covering numerous areas including tourism, clubs, riders, accommodation providers, product manufacturers and community groups.
The awards will also celebrate the sector’s best innovations and collaborations with universities throughout the country.
Last year, Edinburgh Napier University took home the Best Scottish Business Collaboration with a University award after its work with Flaer was recognised.
Academics from the University worked with the company to develop the world’s first chain performance system for mountain bikes. The system automatically applies fluid to the chain as you ride, giving maximum power transfer to the wheel and smoother gearshifts.
The technology has continued to be developed and was recently used by the ORICA-SCOTT GreenEdge professional road cycling team throughout the season, including during this year’s Tour de France.
Professor Geraint Florida-James, lead academic of the MTBCoS, said: “We are delighted to again be involved with these awards to recognise all the great work and expertise going into developing the mountain bike industry. The work that we do at the MtBCoS supports companies who are developing innovative cycling products and services and this will be a great opportunity to recognise the talent we have on our doorstep.”
Danny Cowe, business development executive for MTBCoS, said: “We see these awards as another method of highlighting the great progress of Scottish companies and celebrating the fantastic scene in Scotland. We had a great response last year from Scottish businesses and we would urge any Scottish registered company with a mountain bike product or service to fill in an application form and take part in these awards.”
Graeme McLean, project manager at DMBinS, said: “Mountain biking brings increased participation – helping us to become a happier and healthier country alongside giving Scot’s the opportunity to succeed on the world stage along with brings economic benefit, often to some of our more remote areas.
“These awards will highlight and celebrate examples of great practice in these three areas which will help Scotland maintain its reputation as one of the leading countries in the world for mountain biking.”
The Scottish Mountain Bike Awards were devised last year, with 11 different categories, more than 3000 public votes and more than 50 applications. This year, the public will also choose the top Scottish mountain bike riders of the year and the Scottish event of the year.
Full details on the awards and its categories can be found at http://www.dmbins.com/developing/scottish-mtb-awards-2017/
The best of Scotland’s cycling product development businesses will be showcasing their innovative new products this week as part of the world’s biggest bike show in Germany.
Thousands of bike lovers and industry professionals are set to descend on Friedrichshafen in Germany from 30 August to 2 September, as the EUROBIKE show and conference rolls into town.
A Scottish delegation – led, supported and funded by Scottish Development International and Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland – will be present and hoping to impress more than 42,000 trade visitors and 1350 exhibitors with their unique cycling products.
Four companies will be exhibiting at the show: ShredXS – a dedicated designer of mountain bike clothing for children from the Black Isle; Edinburgh-based road cycling frame manufacturer Neil Pryde Bikes; ByCyclogical, showcasing their innovative new Gripster product; and digital trail and adventure website and app, GEO-Adventure.
Around 14 companies from Scotland, who are currently at various stages of developing a cycling-related product, will also attend the show on a ‘learning journey’ as they look to receive validation on their idea alongside gaining valuable competitor analysis.
Cycling – and in specific mountain biking – helps generate around £257 million annually for the Scottish economy and continues to be one of the country’s fast-growing sports. Research indicates that with strategic investment the annual income to rise to £408m by 2025.
All four companies exhibiting are linked with the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland – an entrepreneurial initiative led by Edinburgh Napier University and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, with project partner Scottish Enterprise. It is funded by the University and Scottish Funding Council.
From its base in Glentress, the centre provides market research and product development support, along with testing and product launches to Scottish businesses looking to capitalise on the growing interest in the sport. It aims to bring Scottish biking products and services to an international audience.
Danny Cowe, business development executive for the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, said: “EUROBIKE is a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase some of the most exciting and innovative start-ups that we are currently working with and we’re looking forward to playing our part in representing Scotland at what is sure to be a fantastic event.
“For the first year, we’ll be part of a ‘Scottish village’ at the event as we look to reinforce the country as a go-to destination for all things biking. Scotland is a hotbed for cycling start-ups at the moment and is packed with innovative products and ideas that are really beginning to make an impact in the sport. Having a presence at EUROBIKE is great way of ensuring that we continue to support the biking community within the country.”
Graeme White, International Sector Head for Tourism at Scottish Development International, said: “Scotland is building a strong international presence in the growing mountain bike industry thanks to our ideal terrain and conditions, along with our fantastic scenery and supportive tourism infrastructure. It’s great to see so many new entrepreneurs tapping into this, and EUROBIKE is the perfect venue for these companies to tap into new opportunities and markets within the sector.”
Featuring international exhibitors giving an insight into the coming season’s bike trends, EUROBIKE brings together industry figures and specialist traders to put the latest bikes, accessories and advances in technology through their paces.
It runs from 30 August to 2 September. For more information, visit www.eurobike-show.com
Two Edinburgh-based companies will headline a new conference that aims to bring together industry experts and academics from the worlds of food, nutrition and sports science.
Active Root and Tony Fullerton of Stoats will speak at the Cycling & Sports – Opportunities in Food and Drink conference, which is to be held in Dundee on 22 August.
A collaboration between the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland and hosts Abertay University, the event will be attended by Scottish food and drink producers, members of the business support industry and academic staff.
Aimed at stimulating the exchange of ideas, analysing trends and sharing expertise, the purpose of the conference is to build partnerships across the sectors.
Active Root, a new natural ginger based sports drink company from Edinburgh, will provide an insight into their product, which was borne out of co-founder Will Townsend’s experience during the London Marathon.
Tony Fullerton of Stoats will also give a presentation, speaking about his firm’s range of quick and easy snacks and cereals – from porridge sachets, pots, bars and boxes to oatcakes and mueslis.
Some of the businesses signed up to attend are already making cycling and sports produce, while others are considering diversifying.
Networking and speed pitching sessions will take place in addition to a series of talks and one to one sessions.
Organiser Danny Cowe of the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, who will present a talk on opportunities in the cycling industry, said there is a real chance for Scottish businesses to tap into a global market for sports and nutrition worth over $20billion.
He added: “Cycling and sports products command high price points compared to general food stuffs and this event is an opportunity to look at how food and drink businesses can best reach that market.
“There is a major buzz around sports nutrition and health at the moment, so producing new or enhanced products can only benefit both industry and those participating in sport.”
The Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland is a joint initiative headed by Edinburgh Napier University and Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland, with project partner Scottish Enterprise. The project is funded by the Scottish Funding Council and Edinburgh Napier University.
From market research to product development; knowledge transfer, testing and product launches, we are here to help Scottish businesses in capitalising in one of the country’s fastest growing sports and to help bring Scottish mountain biking products and services to an international audience.
To find out how the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland can assist a business, please visit www.napier.ac.uk/mtb
