Take Off University Entrepreneurship Competition

Take Off was launched in January 2010 as a pilot within the School of Engineering Sciences (Faculty of Engineering). Prior to this, the University provided very limited funds to support student start-ups, and over the past six years has created a handful of graduate businesses that remain sustainable. Take Off has been able to be established as a recognisable name through the success of the 2011 and 2012 campaigns.

This years judges were:

Professor Simon Cox
Associate Dean (Enterprise)
Faculty of Engineering and the Environment

Professor Richard Oreffo
Associate Dean (Enterprise)
Faculty of Medicine

Professor Peter Smith
Associate Dean (Enterprise)
Faculty of Physical and Applied Sciences

There were 15 successful applicants across the University this year and two of them came from medicine - here are their details:

Fergus Noble
Risk Assessment Utilising Mobile Technology to Improve Surgical Outcomes
Medicine
We are delighted to have developed and prospectively validated a novel score that predicts major complications following Oesophagogastric surgery and are excited to develop this further using mobile technology. This concept has considerable potential to be applicable to other areas of surgical and medical practise. The “University of Southampton Take-Off Prize” will enable us to implement and disseminate our idea internationally, via mobile applications. Surgeons worldwide will have an immediate objective assessment of their patient’s risk of developing a complication. We expect it will be used as an adjunct in the postoperative management of patients to improve clinical practice and outcome.

Thomas Mankelow
Global Online Language Learning,
Medicine
My proposal is for a website creating a global network of people who want to learn and help other people learn additional languages. The investment received from this award will enable significant progress and advice to be sourced enabling the secure development of this website. The initial plan is to find a graduate/student partner from Electronics and Computer Science and work with them to develop the website. Language learning is exciting and with the feasibility of world travel and emigration and with the diverse cultures in our society, advantage will be gained by those who can communicate effectively with everyone, in any work or social place.

As a result of the launch of Take Off , funded by a significant amount of funding available from Alumni and the University, the University of Southampton was able to increase student engagement in taking their business idea forward. This has provided an insight into the potential interest in students wanting to start their own business as a graduate.

This year’s key highlights are:

162 Session attendances by students attending up to five half day workshops on how to start their own business

They came from across ALL faculties in the University

40 applications were made by students seeking funding for their business idea. 21 were chosen to pitch.

£143,210 total funding applied for by all applicants

£103,710 funding requested by all students shortlisted to pitch to the judges

15 students successful in gaining funding and support for their business idea

£40,310 amount of funding provided to the student businesses and Take Off ideas