Sheffield student entrepreneurs pitching to win cash prize

The annual awards are being hosted online this year with 10 of the best student and graduate entrepreneurs at Sheffield Hallam University invited to showcase their business in a one-minute pitch.

Given the unprecedented challenges that businesses are facing at this time, the 10 finalists will equally share the £10,000 prize money, donated by Santander Universities.

Supporters, stakeholders and members of the public will be able to vote for their favourite pitch. The winner of the vote receives an additional £500 donated by the Enterprise Team at Hallam.

One of the entrepreneurs, Sheffield Hallam graduate Mazen Musaeed, provided a vital lifeline to city independent supermarkets and grocery specialists during lockdown with his pioneering app 3miles.co.uk.

Independent food retailers including butchers and organic produce shops, who in normal times relied on passing trade and regular customers, found their orders drop at the beginning of lockdown. As more customers began switching their weekly shop from the supermarket to home delivery, they found themselves unable to secure online deliveries from the large supermarkets.

The 3miles online portal allowed these smaller independent businesses to start sell their products online in a low-cost way.

To date, the business has helped the city’s independent retailers secure orders of more than £100,000 and is attracting an average of 500 new customers per week.

Student start-up combines art and music talents

Finance graduate John Kamara is pitching his educational social enterprise, Beards and Books.

The storytelling provider focuses on increasing the visibility of children’s multicultural books in Sheffield.

With the support of volunteers, Beards & Books is now able to offer tuition and online educational resources for children, parents and teachers.

Caroline Nouvellon, student and graduate enterprise manager at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “At this time of year, the Enterprise Team is normally working flat out in preparation to host its flagship event, the Hallam Enterprise Awards, and looking forward to welcoming 200 invited guests from both the higher education and business sectors.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has meant that this year that we have had to host the awards online but I am delighted that we are able to celebrate the success of our fantastic student and graduate entrepreneurs.”

View the full list of businesses and vote for your favourite pitch at shuenterprise.co.uk/hea2020

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.