Bright young students from North East universities have brought their business plans to life after entering the Blueprint Awards. At the launch of the ninth event, Iain Laing takes a look at the competition and we reveal the names of this year's finalists.

UNDERGRADUATES contemplating a daunting future after university are prone to dream of running their own company one day.

A conversation between two North East academics a decade ago found a way of helping the dreamers to become entrepreneurs.

Professors Max Robinson and Brian Tanner developed the Blueprint Awards from their work at the North East Centre for Scientific Enterprise, a five-year project which worked on nurturing businesses born at the North East’s five universities.

Each year undergraduates, graduates and staff from the universities get the chance to pitch their ideas to some of the region’s senior businessmen and women.

They not only get practice in sharpening their business plans and the chance of winning money and help but developing contacts and getting attention from the wider business world.

As the economy has staggered through the last few years the event has gained momentum as exciting new business increasingly attracts interest.

And it survives for its ninth year even after the Government’s economy drive led to the disappearance of its main sponsor One North East last year. The private sector stepped in to keep it going and today the entrants will begin pitching their ideas at events in the region.

Brian Tanner, dean of knowledge transfer at Durham University, said: “The very fact that these awards are taking place this year without the significant financial resource previously provided by public sector funding is testament to Blueprint’s lasting legacy in the region and the importance that our business leaders place on nurturing the talent that evolves throughout the competition process.

“Despite tough economic conditions we are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the private sector, who have not only supported the awards financially but also in kind, offering professional expertise to advise and mentor the finalists throughout the competition.”

Among the successes he cites is the Tea Shed, started by Northumbria University graduate Jules Quinn and winner of last year’s Creativity and Design Awards and whose products are now stocked not only in North East stores such as Fenwick but in Top Shop in London and stores in Switzerland.

Sean Nicolson, partner and head of technology at law firm Dickinson Dees, long-term supporter of Blueprint, and host of the forthcoming Pilot Your Pitch event, said: “Despite the financial challenges of the past few years we remain dedicated in our support for the Blueprint competition.

“Over the past nine years we have recognised the competition as being a major driving force in the development of high growth technology businesses from the North East’s universities, from which the whole regional economy benefits.

“The region’s universities are at the forefront of advances in a wide range of technologies and the Blueprint competition provides an excellent focal point to help develop world leading research into viable and profitable companies.”

Second-time sponsor of the competition Procter & Gamble’s Phil Souter said: “The competition is a prominent contributor in developing our region’s knowledge economy at a time when it is needed most.

“The awards ceremony is an excellent way of celebrating the innovative ideas being spun out of the North East universities and we look forward to another dazzling array of concepts in this year’s competition.”

The Blueprint Grand Final will take place on October 25 and the organisers are currently seeking sponsorship from North East businesses both financially and in kind.

Award sponsors will gain firsthand insight into the innovative and commercial ideas coming out of the region’s universities and can offer their professional expertise to help turn these ideas in to commercial ventures.

For more information about the competition – entry, sponsorship opportunities or tickets for the grand final – visit www.blueprintcompetition.co.uk

2012 FINALISTS

BUSINESS AWARDS

3rd Space Media – James Harris & John Hannah (Northumbria University)
Offers advertising to small and medium enterprises on advertising sites as part of a comprehensive offering of digital street furniture.

Cross Range UK – Aravind Kumari (Northumbria University)
An interactive website plugin based on VOIP technology that makes it possible for visitors of a website to call website owners or representatives with the click of a button on the website.

EvoEd – Andy Lansbury (Durham University)
Evolved Education is developing a website to allow private tuition to occur online.

Develop Global Ltd – Linda Hui Yang (Durham University)
Develop Global Ltd is a private training company providing professional intercultural training and consultancy to Chinese students in UK universities.

EasyCare4U Ltd – Esther Byrom (Sunderland University)
Produces Silver Ani-gel, which is an aloe vera gel, containing a natural antibiotic and a cleansing agent for wounds.

Fresh Shrimp Company – Tim Heyes & Ed Tame (Newcastle University)
The Fresh Shrimp Company will sustainably farm king prawns in the North East and supply restaurants nationwide.

RGB Media – Iraa Kadchha & Adam Wimpenny (Sunderland University)
RGB Media is a PR, design and web development company aimed at providing creative and online services for the start-up business market.

Uni Car Ads – Charlie Warburg & Will Clowes (Newcastle University)
UniCarAds puts ads on cars which are driven or parked around the most popular student areas in Newcastle and has spread to Leeds and Edinburgh.

CREATIVITY & DESIGN AWARDS:

3rd Space Media – James Harris & John Hannah
(see above)

Contrapunto – Josh Rafe Coles, Amy Swan & Adam Gerber (Sunderland University)
Creates trailers for new books and has already won an award for one.

Cross Range UK – Aravind Kumari (Northumbria)
(see above)

Philip Naylor & Jo Smith – Glow Products Ltd (Durham)
Creates and sells a cycling safety product.

RGB Media – Iraa Kadchha & Adam Wimpenny (Sunderland University)
(see above)

Freya McIvor – The Stash Company Ltd (Durham University)
Creates and sells personalised sportswear online.

Uni Car Ads – Charlie Warburg & Will Clowes (Newcastle University)
(see above)

STAFF – KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER AWARDS:

Alcyomics – Anne Dickinson (Newcastle University)
Sells its own skin test to discover the property of pharmaceuticals.

Dental Imaging Tool – John Girkin (Durham University)
Created a device which can detect dental problems using LEDs and web cams.

Gap Technologies – Galip Akay & Ed Brown (Newcastle University)
Created a process which can be used as an agricultural catalyst and in bio-science.

Live Event Media – Lee Hall (Sunderland University)
Delivers bespoke digital media coverage packages for events.

Tyne Gateway – Pauline Wonders (Sunderland University)
A social enterprise which creates community entrepreneurs in disadvantaged communities.