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Santander celebrates Loughborough University’s young entrepreneurs
Loughborough University has much to celebrate following the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards with finalists in both award categories – the only university to do so.
The Awards support and encourage student entrepreneurs in pursuing their business ideas. The ceremony, held at the Royal Opera House in London on 4 July, was attended by more than 50 Vice-Chancellors from universities across the UK as well as prominent figures from the worlds of finance, academia and politics.
First prize in the undergraduate business plan category was awarded to Loughborough alumnus Laurence Kemball-Cook for his company, Pavegen, which manufactures paving slabs that convert the kinetic energy from footsteps into electricity for use in low-power applications including lighting and signage.
Meanwhile, Felicity Milton’s company 1Point6 was amongst the highly-commended finalists in the postgraduate category. The international athlete and award-winning mechanical engineer and designer has developed the 3N1 Recovery and Performance Sleeve which aids the repair of lower leg muscle injury and benefits a range of medical conditions.
Ana Botín, CEO of Santander UK, was full of praise for the participants: “Entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of our economy. The creativity and commercial acumen demonstrated by the winners and runners-up have been extremely encouraging – they are the future of the UK economy and Santander Universities is proud to be able to lend its support.”
Also in attendance were six Loughborough Formula Santander Scholars who formally received their scholarships from Emilio Botín, Chairman of the Santander Group, and Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
With them was Vicki Unwin, the Head of Sport Fundraising at the University, who said: “Our relationship with Santander, now in its fifth year, has allowed the University to provide scholarships across a range of academic disciplines. The scholarships are invaluable, and have a real impact on the future of the students who benefit from them.”
Commenting on the success, Professor Steve Rothberg, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Enterprise, said: “I am delighted by Santander’s recognition of the high standards set by our student and graduate entrepreneurs. Congratulations to Laurence, Felicity and all of our Santander scholars. Santander make an important contribution to academic life at Loughborough and we are very grateful to them for that.”
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