The Think Outside The Box Awards

by Startacus Admin

If you’re a Third level student in Ireland (North or South) and you think you’ve got a great idea for a business, the good news is that you needn’t wait until graduating to do something about it. The recently launched Think Outside The Box Awards could be just what you need to make that idea a reality now!

The awards which are sponsored by Enterprise Ireland, Invest NI, Cruickshank Intellectual Property Attorneys and Grant Thornton ultimately aim to help stimulate more enterprise creation within Ireland but also aim to encourage more students to consider starting a business as a viable career option.
Students from all academic disciplines and courses are welcome to apply for the awards which are offering up to €30,000 of cash prizes and €30,000 worth of consultancy services.

All applications will be assessed in 4 main areas:

• Project Concept - the judging panel will be assessing how innovative the proposed product or service is, how feasible it is and if there is a definitive market for it.
• Planning and Projections - assessment will be done on how much market research has been undertaken and whether or not proposed investment and financial requirements are accurate and realistic.
• Professionalism of Approach - the judges will be assessing whether or not all aspects of the business have been considered and if the practical skills needed to deliver the project are in place.
• Presentation - basic but important! Entries must be submitted in a clear easy to read format, if they are to impress the judges!

Interested in applying? Simply download the Business Template on the Awards site and get going!

Although individual entries can be submitted, there is a real emphasis with these awards on ‘team submissions’ and students are being encouraged to form teams and collaborative working groups to get their ideas together. We say ‘Hear Hear!” to that and for any of you students who need somewhere to collaborate on your ideas, we know just the place!


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Published on: 18th February 2013