University of York Engineers in Business Fellowship Competition

News | Posted on Tuesday 7 June 2022

This year, 25 students from two departments elected to participate in the final Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF) York competition, which took place on the 17 April 2022, live and face to face for the first time in over 2 years.

This year, 25 students from two departments elected to participate in the final EIBF York competition, which took place on the 17th April 2022, live and face to face for the first time in over 2 years. The students taking part opted to study the Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship course, which has allowed them to explore and develop their business concepts and pitching skills.

Each team pitched their business ideas to three Dragons who responded with a series of challenging questions, designed to test our teams on their knowledge of their concepts.

The qualifying teams were:

Plantiful Beauty - WINNER

Plantiful Beauty is a product developed by a team of six 3rd-year Interactive Media undergraduates from the Department of Theatre Film & TV:

  • Emily Patterson
  • Tian Tian Yang
  • Madison Liu
  • Lewi Walker
  • Ben Dillon
  • Hannah Pope

Their product range is sustainable recyclable and offers a refill service, subscription plan and a fully vegan and cruelty free range.

Cupple – SECOND PRIZE

Cupple is a team of two 2nd-year Computer Science undergraduates:

  • James William Hensman
  • Samuel Wynn Humphreys

Their solution provides a platform for tea drinkers to find friendship and possible romance.

WePlay – THIRD PRIZE

WePlay is a product developed by a team of four 3rd-year Interactive Media undergraduates from the Department of Theatre Film & TV:

  • Jingru Chai
  • Jake Followell
  • Jonathan Peniket
  • Victoria Tompkins

They have developed a social media space specifically designed for gamers to share experiences and chat in a supportive and non-toxic environment.

Seclude – COMMENDED FINALIST

Seclude is a team of six 3rd-year Interactive Media undergraduates from the Department of Theatre Film & TV :

  • Jade Zhu
  • Hongxi Du
  • Yuyan Zhao
  • Jessye Shaw
  • Kate Farkhulina
  • Sarah Alomri

Their solution provides a designer range of heated sportswear for skiing and outdoor activities

Paylancing – COMMENDED FINALIST

Paylancing is a team of five 3rd-year Interactive Media undergraduates from the Department of Theatre Film & TV :

  • Yutong Liu
  • Ethan Sather
  • Dominic Ward
  • Shiyu Zhang
  • Holly Wright

Their solution Paylancing, is a mobile application that can ensure freelancers are paid on time through a escrow style money holding system.

Uniloop – COMMENDED FINALIST

UniLoop is a team of two 1st -year Computer Science undergraduates:

  • Nnamdi Nduka-Ezi
  • Ben Harris

Their solution helps to connect students to events and opportunities both on and off campus

All competing teams performed at a level that seriously impressed all who attended the event, including members of staff, the dragons and senior representatives from the York Science Park.

The EIBF prize challenged students to stretch to a further degree of professionalism in the development and pitching of their business ideas. The stimulus of the prize money and the further opportunities offered by the scheme galvanised students competitively to perform at a level that seriously impressed all who attended the event, including the dragons and myself.

The Dragons have recommended that all the teams apply for the EIBF competition and commented that this was the best set of business ideas to date they had seen at this stage.

“I found the Dragon's Den event to be one of the most enriching parts of my degree. Not only did it push me and my teammates to really think about our business plan with its strengths and weaknesses, but it also simulated a real-life investor experience. As a cohort, we really encouraged each other to do well, and this atmosphere was part of why this event was so enjoyable. Now, both through the module and the event, I feel that I have an entirely new perspective on business and hope to use the skills I've learnt in my future career - whatever that may be!” Emily Pattison, Plantiful Beauty

The Business, Innovation and Entrepreneur (BIE) course is open to York CS/TFTI students of all years who have an interest in developing their teamworking, business and pitching skills. If you have any questions about this module then please contact cs-bie-admin@york.ac.uk.