Eye-catching innovations ranging from an app that can improve a golfer’s swing to miniature robots that can be controlled with a mobile, were on show in Bristol at an event aimed at inspiring the pioneers of the future.
The Bristol Creative Showcase was organised by 24-year-old Sam Fry, an enterprise consultant at the University of Bristol and regional ambassador for Virgin Media Pioneers.
Around 120 prospective entrepreneurs rubbed shoulders at the event, staged at Bristol’s Watershed media centre, with creative new business who were given the chance to deliver two-minute pitches to the audience.
Among those exhibiting were Tom Carter, 24, and Professor Sriram Subramanian, 37. Their University of Bristol spin-out business Ultrahaptics focuses on creating ultrasound waves that can move small objects or create the sensation of touch.
Users changing channel on their TV by pressing an imaginary button in mid-air actually feel as if they have touched it.
The pair are in the process of commercialising the technology and have been nominated as the university’s best graduate start-up for 2013.
Sam Fry said: “I think there are more opportunities than ever out there for young entrepreneurs and this is clear from the diverse and amazing new businesses which exhibited at the showcase."
"There aren’t many actual jobs around, but I see that as being all the more reason to try going it alone and setting up your own business. The demand for this event, which sold out well in advance, shows there is the appetite among people of all ages to get creative and use the power of the internet to get started in business.”
The event was the first of 13 across the UK to be staged by Virgin Media Pioneers, a free, digital community connecting young, entrepreneurial talent.
Sam is one of 13 entrepreneurs across the UK acting as regional ambassadors for the Virgin Media Pioneers community to help inspire and transform the prospects of young people in the South West.
Sam founded a student newspaper while at university in Liverpool, organises the student groups Bristol Entrepreneurs, Bristol Social Enterprise and SIFE Bristol and is developing his latest venture, ARvoyant, a pre-visualization tool that uses mobile augmented reality to help plan physical projects, saving time and money for its future users.
“Events like this enable people to share ideas and be inspired,” Sam added. "Sir Richard Branson is such an inspiration for young entrepreneurs; his story is the ultimate benchmark that we all aspire to and it would be great if Pioneers can help create the next wave of successful entrepreneurs in the South West."
Pioneer-at-large for Virgin Media Pioneers Sir Richard Branson said: “There is a huge amount we can do to unlock entrepreneurial potential and Virgin Media Pioneers is empowering young entrepreneurs to fulfil their dreams of owning and managing successful businesses.”
