Students hone entrepreneurial skills at Uni of London boot camp
‘Dream, DISCOVER, Do’ event saw student pitch solutions to issues currently facing Microsoft
Enterprising students from across three University of London institutions came together in April to develop their entrepreneurial skills at a boot camp event.
Held on Saturday 24 April 2016, Discover, was the second enterprise boot camp in the series of three, ‘Dream, Discover, Do’. More than 35 students from Birkbeck, Goldsmiths and SOAS, all University of London, gathered at a one day event at SOAS University.
The boot camp series is designed as an opportunity for students to develop, practise and test enterprise and entrepreneurial skills, whether they have a business idea ready to go, are considering self-employment as a career option or just recognise that those skills are increasingly essential and desirable in the graduate jobs market.
Discover boot camp was an opportunity for students to put their problem solving skills to the test and help solve a real life business challenge. Acting as consultants for Microsoft, student teams were challenged with developing a solution that addresses key strategic challenges currently faced by Microsoft.
The day included a series of activities that allowed students to identify and develop a solution to the issues currently facing Microsoft, having understood the factors that could affect the business and their proposed solution. Student teams then focused on refining their solutions before developing their pitch.
The teams then pitched their solutions against one another for a place in the final pitch-off. Two teams pitched head to head to the rest of the boot camp, plus a judging panel, for a share of £500 prize money.
Both finalist teams pitched solutions focusing on development of new digital technology in emerging worldwide markets. The quality of the pitches was very impressive and both teams faced a variety of expansive and challenging questions which were addressed well. The yellow team’s market research stood out in a close final that saw them walk away as winners, sharing over half of the prize money between the team.
Here is what the students thought of the day:
- “Really thought provoking and challenging. I enjoyed learning about different problem solving methods and applying them to real life situations.”
- Maria, SOAS - “It was good to put knowledge we learnt in lectures into practice. We learnt new skills that will be helpful for personal use like essays and problem solving in the future. It was challenging, fun and everyone was very friendly.”
- Amina and Mohinur, Goldsmiths - “Was very interesting and challenging. Learnt a lot and teaches you to always try your best and leave your comfort zone.”
- Ikram, Birkbeck - “Awesome discover phase of start-up and entrepreneurship. Full of powerful insight. Huge Thanks”
- Noor Din, Birkbeck - “Very good co-working experience and opportunity to brain storm and think out of the box. Time is not much, but working with the pressure is a great practice”
- Daniela, Goldsmiths
Tickets are now available for the final boot camp on Tuesday 31 May- Wednesday 1 June, to be held at City Hall. All current Birkbeck students are eligible; due to popularity when places are filled a waiting list is kept. Find out more: www.bit.ly/DOBootcamp
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