Forresters provides IP support to student entrepreneurs
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Forresters has backed a programme by the University of Chester which helps students launch new businesses.
The Venture Programme culminated in the tenth annual Venture Pitch on 13 and 14 June. Ten shortlisted student and graduate business owners attended a two-day event aimed at supporting their business ideas, which included the opportunity to pitch their proposals to a panel of judges to bid for a share of £5,000 start-up funding and more than £11,000 of business support prizes.
Judges included David Murphy, Senior Associate Patent Attorney in Forresters’ Liverpool office. David said: “The passion and professionalism shown by the students was great to see. The winning pitches impressed me and my fellow judges with how well developed their business ideas were, with some even ready to begin trading. The prizes awarded today will help these young entrepreneurs kick on to the next stage”.
One winner was Jemima Antwi, an Accounting and Finance student, who received a business support package for Mimes Reusables, an online sustainable shop selling reusable products to consumers and small businesses.
Forresters provided Jemima with a two-hour consultancy with Partner and Trade Mark Attorney, Kate Cruse and the fees required to file a UK Trade Mark application.
Jemima said: “Being chosen for this prize is an honour. Applying to register my trade mark was on my list of things to do but I just couldn’t afford it at present. I have already had a consultation meeting with Kate who was incredible as not only did she help me understand what trademarking is all about, but she also advised me on other things to consider such as design rights and protection. Kate was extremely friendly; I went to the meeting with very little knowledge about trade marks and came back feeling like a pro. Thanks to this fantastic opportunity, I will be able to protect my brand and hopefully it will become unique and recognisable by many.”
David was so impressed with Jemima’s pitch and general business endeavour that he held an additional consultation with Jemima to discuss registered designs and explain the importance of this intellectual property right to Mimes Reusables’ product line.
