The Grand Idea is the College's annual business ideas competition, which was first run in 2007/08.  The competition provides students with an excellent opportunity to explore their business ideas.  Entrants are helped to produce a short business proposal and supporting pitch which could ultimately win them the £1,000 Grand Idea Prize.

About the Competition

The Grand Idea holds a series of events throughout the academic year to help inspire budding entrepreneurs.  This starts with a series of 'Inspirational Entrepreneurs' coming to the College to talk to students about how they have achieved success and offer advice about following their own business dream.  The Grand Idea 2009 was launched by Levi Roots, from Reggae Reggae Sauce; the event was a huge success with more than 100 people attending.

After Christmas the events take on a more practical focus and support the students to develop their ideas and produce a short business proposal.  Experts from various organisations come along to provide advice such as; 'Funding and Financing your idea' (South West Angels and Investors - SWAIN), Intellectual Property issues (Intellectual Property Office) and Young Enterprise South West challenge students to think about their ideas and Business Link offer one to one advice and support for those wishing to put a proposal together.

During the concluding stages of the competition Rachel Holland, from ITV's ‘Laddette to Lady’ advises students from RACE and the Grand Idea Competition in basic presentation/interview skills.  This is a light hearted, fun session which is held about a week prior to the final 'Dragons' Den' style pitch.

In the final pitching stage in May the judging panel listen to a short pitch and then have the opportunity to ask questions to each candidate.  We aim to have a maximum of five students going forward to the final round of the competition, with the top two picking up prizes.

Grand Idea 2010

This year's competition was won by Lucy-Victoria Woodthrope and Adriana Vaux who impressed the judging panel with their idea for 'Skeefs' which will produce and sell 100 percent British Sheepskin and fleece products to the equine markets.  This year’s judging panel included the Managing Director of SWAIN (the competition sponsors), Denys Shortt - CEO and Founder of DCS Europe PLC, Sue Blacker from The Natural Fibre Company, Roger Wilkins from Business Link and Stephen Thomas from the RAC School of Business.