QMYOU Alumni Magazine Issue 89 March 2022 | Page 14

14 Supporting Entrepreneurship / Made At QMU

Equipping a new generation of entrepreneurs to innovate in Scotland ’ s food & drink sector

OVER THE LAST YEAR , QMU ’ s Innovation and Enterprise Manager has had tremendous success in bringing together some of the best academic and industry experts to help students turn their business ideas into reality .

In autumn 2021 , Miriam Smith , along with Catriona Liddle , Head of QMU ' s Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation ( SCFDI ), led the delivery of an ambitious new entrepreneurial initiative to equip the next generation of food & drink innovators for success in the industry .
Miriam developed the concept for THRIVE , which pooled the resources of QMU , Scotland ' s Rural College ( SRUC ) and Abertay University . The institutions used their wide-ranging food & drink expertise to deliver a series of workshops aimed at developing new talent to support sustainable growth in Scotland ’ s food & drink sector . Launched by James Withers , CEO of Scotland Food & Drink , the event also aimed to create a renewed culture of innovation in the sector .
Interactive sessions , delivered by leading academics and industry specialists , helped students and graduates gain a clear understanding of what is required to enter the industry from idea generation to production , and how to run a sustainable business that grows and innovates . Participants also shared their ideas with a panel of industry experts from Food and Drink Federation Scotland , Santander and Business Gateway .
Twenty-five students participated in the workshops which covered topics such as market trends , product legislation , sustainable product and business development , the importance of good nutrition , making prototypes , product assessment , competitor analysis , creating and building a brand , as well as routes to market and marketing .
Careen Brand , programme participant , said : “ THRIVE has been an invaluable online course , with inspiring guest speakers from industry together with the wealth of knowledge and tools provided by the hosts .”
Find out more about THRIVE at ❒

Robin ’ s Xtreme entrepreneurship experience puts him through his paces at Wembley

THANKS TO CONTINUED support of QMU by Santander Universities , graduate Robin Sherriff had an incredible opportunity to be part of the Santander X Entrepreneurship Awards 2021 at Wembley Stadium . Robin is the owner and founder of The Koji Kitchen , which produces novel and delightful Japanese fermented foods .

Robin explained : “ I was lucky enough to be put forward by QMU for the whirlwind adventure that was the Santander X Entrepreneurship Awards 2021 .
“ After months of incredible mentoring and workshopping , the competition concluded in a trip to London to pitch alongside 80 other businesses for a suite of funding opportunities .
“ Whilst I wasn ’ t lucky enough to secure a victory and take home a sizeable prize , in many respects I feel like I had won by merely being given the opportunity to take part in such a prestigious and challenging event . The cohort that formed around the competition , and the business contacts I garnered during the process and the event , have already been critical in securing new retailers and other important business connections .”
Robin concluded : “ I am grateful that as a result of Queen Margaret ’ s support , I was able to take my strange and nuanced project and share a stage with a range of other incredible businesses . It has certainly left me with the ability to pitch my business at any time , in any situation , and under any amount of pressure !”
Santander Universities continues to support QMU through internships , bursaries , and student exchange support , as well as through student and alumni business support . ❒

Graduate supports the entrepreneurs of the future

WE ’ RE DELIGHTED TO welcome QMU graduate Jamie Riddell and his wife Katherine to the QMU donor community .

Their latest business venture , Escaping Gravity , is a global SEO consultancy for challenger brands . They have teamed up with QMU to encourage innovation through supporting enterprising students and recent alumni .
The Escaping Gravity Entrepreneurship Competition offered QMU Business Innovation Zone ( BIZ ) members the chance to enhance their businesses using creative and innovative digital technology . 2021 winners included David Blomquist Media , Half / Cut Films , Spider Arts , Shadow Hill Studios Limited and Naka Media - each received £ 1,000 worth of funding .
Fiona Rich , Founder of Spider Arts , said : “ We are absolutely delighted to have the support of Escaping Gravity to help us realise our vision of making creative digital media available in our mobile art therapy service , the Calmbulance .”
Interested in finding out how you can support QMU ? Contact Thomas Kelly , Head of Development and Alumni at E : tkelly @ qmu . ac . uk . ❒

14 Supporting Entrepreneurship / Made At QMU