Propeller entered six applicants into this year’s University Entrepreneur’s Grant, with two candidates making it to the final four. Dave Clayton and Ralph Atia were asked to pitch their business ideas at the Educate North awards on Thursday 25th April, with Dave Clayton going on to win. The winner of the University Entrepreneur’s Grant was decided by the audience at the awards ceremony, many of whom took an interest in further supporting Dave.
We phoned him up the next day to say congratulations and ask him about the experience:
“It feels amazing. I don’t quite know what happened, but I woke up this morning with a cheque for £1,000 and a trophy.”
Dave’s company ‘Wot Wud U Do?’ focuses on teaching sex education to young people through interactive videos – much like the recent Black Mirror sensation ‘Bandersnatch’ – that prompt the viewers to think critically, think ahead, and explore the consequences of their actions.
When discussing what his next steps will be, Dave had this to say:
“I will be using the money to finish off my resource, develop a new section of the website focusing on LGBTQ issues and to develop a handbook for teachers and tutors using my product with their students.”
Last year’s winner Sharmaine Mundozo was also a Propeller client, receiving help setting up her business Joypad: a website and online diary offering support and guidance to 14 – 16-year-olds.
The award ceremony celebrated the outstanding people throughout further and higher education in the North. UCLan had 9 people or departments shortlisted across five awards, with two projects winning. UCLan’s Stories2Connect won Research Project of the Year, and University of Central Lancashire & St. Catherine’s Hospice won Business/Industry Collaboration of the year with their project Developing Futures.
Try It Yourself
To find out more about ‘Wot Wud U Do?’ and play through the new choice-based game, visit the website: Wot Wud U DO?
