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Entrepreneur Academy Final 2015

East Surrey College hosted a talent-filled final of the third Entrepreneur Academy on Thursday 19 November 2015. The Entrepreneur Academy was set up by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, in partnership with East Surrey College to support and nurture anybody thinking of starting their own business within the borough. 

Over the past seven months the Academy has brought like-minded entrepreneurs together regularly to support them in developing their business ideas.

The nine members of the Academy pitched their ideas to a panel of Dragons to compete for a £5,000 investment grant provided by Reigate & Banstead Borough Council. Congratulations to the winner of the 2015 Entrepreneur Academy, Sumi Wang for eFOLDi. Sumi’s product is a battery powered, portable personal vehicle. The investment will help launch the product on the market which has already garnered local business interest.

Sumi commented:

“Coming from an engineering background, the Entrepreneur Academy has helped me tremendously to understand the business world, from cash flow through legal protections to digital marketing. It has also provided a friendly and welcoming environment to get honest feedback of eFOLDi, which is invaluable at product R&D stage. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to start his/her own business”

As a result of the talent being so high this year, the two runners up, Frank Sinclair and Halani Foulsham, each received £1,000 for their business ideas: The ‘Tone at Home’ Project and The Rooted Tree Journal Series respectively. All members will continue to receive mentoring support, ensuring they stay motivated and on track with bringing their business ideas to the market.

Cllr Eddy Humphreys, the Council’s Executive Member for Economy and Jobs, said of the scheme:

“We are keen to encourage and foster entrepreneurial behaviour because new business start-ups are good for our local economy. Through the Entrepreneur Academy and our other business support initiatives we are trying to ensure that our entrepreneurs have the business skills they need when they start out and to support small businesses on their journey. Big congratulations to Sumi for winning this year’s Entrepreneur Academy. I wish her and all the participants every success in their new business ventures.”

The Winner, Sumi Wang is pictured centre with the other 2015 Entrepreneur Academy members.