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Winners, sponsors and judges |
The winners have been announced for the Perth College UHI Business Idea Competition 2011. The competition, open to students, staff and members of the community, aimed to find commercial and social enterprise winning ideas that could become real businesses.
Cash prizes of £3500 were kindly donated by Perth & Kinross Social Economy partnership and Johnston Carmichael. The independent panel of experts who chose the winners consisted of Catherine Ward, PSYBT, Angie Foreman, Dundee International Women's Centre and Euan McLeod from Johnston Carmichael.
Sheena Howden, Centre for Enterprise Manager said: “The standard of finalists was so high that the panel split the social enterprise prize money. First prize went to Jo West, Perth College UHI Social and Vocational Skills Curriculum Manager and her team for the 'Garden Cafe', while second prize was awarded to Ginny Gregory for 'Sounds Like Us' therapeutic drumming and singing workshops. The private enterprise prize was won by Mark Drummond for his campervan conversion and hire company.
“With 41 entries received, the panel had an exceptionally difficult job in choosing finalists but we felt the winners have great business ideas that have a real prospect of becoming successful commercial and social enterprises.”
Jo West’s ‘Garden Cafe' will expand on the already successful Conservatory Cafe, enhancing the opportunities for students in the Perth and Kinross community that have additional support needs and learning disabilities.
Ginny Gregory aims to provide 'Sounds Like Us', a range of therapeutic drumming and singing workshops. The workshops will target three main groups, mental health, learning/behavioural difficulties and community groups.
Mark Drummond already restores campervans but he plans to also hire them out.