22nd April 2025
Do you have a burgeoning business brainwave brewing? Are you inspired by TV shows such as ‘Dragons Den’ and think that you could showcase your entrepreneurial spirit and drive? Are you a South Devon College student or recent graduate with an idea that you’d like to launch onto the Torbay business stage?
Then we have the opportunity for you to make that happen! The College is introducing the EPIC Future Entrepreneurs scheme, in collaboration with the EPIC Centre, to guide and support people in starting their own business.
As well as supporting students in building their own future, this programme will ensure that vital industry skills stay and flourish in the Bay, boosting the local economy and creating jobs.
The programme, starting in June, will enable South Devon College students and recent University Centre South Devon graduates to take part in six workshops, run by expert leaders who will offer guidance in how to turn an idea into a viable business. Participants will also benefit from one-to-one mentoring support from local experts on topics including intellectual property, finance, costing, pricing and accounting, marketing and sales, understanding your market, and business strategy.
Culminating in a pitch to a panel of judges, participants could win prizes of £1,500, £1,000 and £500 to turn their idea into reality and kickstart their career, plus six months of further support to turn their idea into a successful business.
Participants can enter individually or as part of a team and is limited to 100 places.
The programme will be divided into the following sessions.
Session 1 – Starting your Business and the Entrepreneurial Mindset
What makes a good idea? How can a good idea transform into a good business?
Session 2 – Developing your Idea; Ideation, Innovation, and Introduction to Business Model Canvas
Innovation isn’t invention. How can I make my business innovative? What is my value proposition – my differentiator? Who are my suppliers and stakeholders? Who are my customers and how do I get to them?
Session 3 – Understanding Intellectual Property and Business Structures
IP isn’t just patents – it’s brand, protecting your database, copyright, trademarks – even choosing the right business name and logo. What is the best legal structure for me and what do I need to do when I start?
Session 4 – Knowing the Numbers
All things financial – it’s not as frightening as you think. Cashflow and forecasts, Profit and Loss and balance sheets made simple.
Session 5 – Selling and Marketing
What’s the best marketing and sales strategy for me? What’s my pricing strategy? What’s the best social media platform? Who, how and when do I sell my product/service?
Session 6 – Pitching and Funding
How do you do a sales/investment pitch and what’s the difference? Is funding and finance available and how do I get it? How would the prize money help kickstart my business?
Final Pitch Day
With participants having submitted their business model canvas, they will present their business idea to a panel of judges. (15 minutes per pitch including questions).
As a College, we are dedicated to developing skills, training the workforce of the future and driving entrepreneurial spirit, and EPIC is the perfect partner to collaborate with, as it offers world-class facilities right here in Torbay, with research, development, and product innovation capabilities across many sectors.
Together, we are looking forward to supporting the next generation of Torbay entrepreneurs and seeing new businesses grow.
Jess Tucker, Head of Personal Development and Careers Leader at South Devon College, said: “We are really excited about giving our students this opportunity to get expert guidance and mentoring to provide them with the knowledge and confidence to get their own business idea off the ground.
“Our students are really innovative and have excellent ideas and, with the support of the EPIC Future Entrepreneurs programme, we know many of them will be able to bring these ideas to fruition. In turn this will future-proof our local economy already heavily dependant on SMEs and help keep local talent and skills in the region.”
Rich Scutt, Centre Director at EPIC, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with South Devon College in this entrepreneurship programme.
“So many budding entrepreneurs never get the opportunity to turn their brilliant ideas into reality due to lack of support. This programme will arm you with the tools and knowledge you need to kickstart your own business.
“We will then continue to support your business in the future as it grows.”
The EPIC Future Entrepreneurs starts on 18 June. If you are interested in gaining help in launching your business, or you’d like to be a mentor, please contact [email protected]
