Entrepreneurship Centre Start Up Challenge

Jenny O’Gorman, a first year student from the School of Art History, has won £2,500 in The Start Up Challenge – a bi-annual start up competition run by the Entrepreneurship Centre which is supported by Santander Universities. There were 23 applicants and 9 finalists who were shortlisted to deliver a pitch to a panel of judges. The panel included Derek Watson – Quaestor and Factor – and Andy Goor – Chief Financial Officer at the University. External panel members included Ross Waite, Economic Development at Fife Council and Helena Di Biase, Founder of Raising Partners. Jenny was one of four winners selected, being awarded one of the top funding prizes for her business 'Posing Pet Portraits'.

Jenny takes commissions for pet portraits and produce mugs, cards and other merchandise for sale to her customers. She has enjoyed recent success at several fairs and has raised money for charity by providing bespoke pet portraits as raffle prizes. The products, which will soon include a range of designs incorporating iconic St Andrews scenes, will be stocked in the University Shop from September. 

The competition will re-open again in the new academic year and students/graduates can apply here. In the meantime, the Entrepreneurship Centre is running a summer series of mini programmes open to all staff, students, and non-University members. More information and registration here.