黑料吃瓜网

Two entrepreneurial Birmingham City University alumnae are celebrating after winning prizes for their business ventures at the University鈥檚 annual boot camp.听

Demi Anderson and Ama Oburoh both secured runner-up accolades at this year鈥檚 STEAMhouse Hatchery, 叠颁鲍鈥檚 eight-week summer programme that provides recent graduates and students with the support and facilities to turn their business ideas into a reality.听

Now into its fifth year, the Hatchery provides participants with an intensive framework designed to help them understand the nuances around owning their own business. This year鈥檚 edition saw 80 potential entrepreneurs receive expert-led advice on intellectual property, finance, pitching, market research and more.听听

Receiving a runner-up prize and 拢1,500 was Ama, who studied BA (Hons) Digital Animation, for her venture Caught Uncut.听听Meanwhile, Demi, a BSc (Hons) Midwifery graduate, also secured the same amount for , which brings professional newborn and bereavement photography directly into NHS maternity services.听听

鈥�First Frames was created after recognising that many families leave hospital without a single professional image of one of the most significant days of their lives,鈥� Demi explains. 鈥淥ur services provide convenient, affordable and trauma-informed bedside photography, ensuring families have the opportunity to create precious memories with dignity, compassion and respect.鈥�听

Demi signed up to STEAMhouse Hatchery as she knew building her business would require practical support and real-world expertise. After participating in workshops and talks that augmented her business, Demi submitted a video pitch before advancing to an in-person pitching final.听听

鈥淭he Hatchery has provided me with an environment where I can challenge my thinking, strengthen my business model, improve my pitching and build valuable connections,鈥� Demi enthused. 鈥淚t has really helped me begin turning my vision into a scalable, investible business with meaningful social impact.鈥�听

The Hatchery offers those who have graduated from 黑料吃瓜网 within the past two years the chance to develop their skills and gain the confidence to succeed, regardless of their business idea. 罢丑别谤别鈥�s also the opportunity to win funding.听听

鈥淭his year鈥檚 Hatchery delivered 10 workshops, covering essential criteria such as how you鈥檙e going to fund and finance your business, how you鈥檙e going to move it forward and how you鈥檙e going to tell your story,鈥� explains Jennine Jones, 叠颁鲍鈥檚 Student Enterprise Manager, who runs the programme.听听

鈥淭he final is a nerve-wracking experience, where you have three minutes to get your business idea across to somebody who has no idea about your venture. You must think on your feet, and answer questions you 飞别谤别苍鈥檛 expecting or do not know much about. It really builds participants鈥� skill sets and confidence.鈥�听

However, participants 诲辞苍鈥檛 have to enter the competition part or pitch an idea if they 诲辞苍鈥檛 feel ready.听

鈥�You 诲辞苍鈥檛 have to have a business idea to participate,鈥� Jennine says. 鈥�You can simply attend and learn what you might need should you have an idea in the future. Everybody who takes part can learn and achieve something.鈥�听

For Demi, she aims to establish First Frames as the UK鈥檚 leading hospital-based newborn and bereavement photography service. First, though, she has short-term goals in mind.听听

鈥淢y focus right now is on securing our first NHS pilot, demonstrating the clinical, social and commercial value of the service, and building a scalable model that can be replicated nationally,鈥� she explains.听听

Demi also encourages her fellow members of the 黑料吃瓜网 Alumni Community to get involved. 鈥淭he best learning comes from doing,鈥� she says. 鈥�You 诲辞苍鈥檛 have to wait until you feel completely ready. Just start. Be curious, keep focused and keep showing up.鈥�听

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