Budding entrepreneur, Oliver Griffin, has been awarded top marks at a summer school run by the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (CfEL).

Surviving a tough week of intensive seminars, presentations to demanding venture capitalists and pitching to a panel of experts, Oliver claimed the award for best business project.

Oliver, who works as a programme manager at the University of Cambridge International Examinations (CIE), came up with a plan to market CIE assessment expertise via the internet.

“It was a great experience for me and very constructive,” Oliver said. “Not only have I been able to validate my business project, I have expanded my skills and made some amazing connections.”

The award was presented by Yupar Myint, of the CfEL, at a final dinner held in the elegant surroundings of Corpus Christi College. Oliver’s was one of five outstanding business ideas selected by the panel of judges.

The other people deserving of merit include Jonas Larsson and Olof Sköld of Denator Biotechnology; Brian Abram of Identity Protection Devices Ltd, Diane Paez of Multi Access Productions Pty Ltd and Mike Powell of Evoke Systems.

Peter Hiscocks, who is a senior associate with the Judge Business School and who mentored Oliver during the week, commented: “Successful enterprise needs a good idea, a great team and a great deal of motivation and passion. Oliver brought these characteristics to the summer school.”

The CfEL, part of the Judge Business School, works with over 200 experienced entrepreneurs, innovators and business people to provide relevant and practical training to encourage a spirit of entrepreneurship within the University of Cambridge and beyond.

The next summer school will take place from 9 -14 July 2007. Please contact the Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning on 01223 766900 or go to their website for further information.


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