Win a ‘Year in a Unit’ Competition

Aber ‘Dragons’ (left to right): Mr Alan Hewson, Director, Aberystwyth Arts Centre; Dr Kate Woodward, Academic Champion of Enterprise, Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies; Mr Ric Lloyd, Cleftec and Mr Tony Orme, Commercial Spinout Manager, CCS

Aber ‘Dragons’ (left to right): Mr Alan Hewson, Director, Aberystwyth Arts Centre; Dr Kate Woodward, Academic Champion of Enterprise, Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies; Mr Ric Lloyd, Cleftec and Mr Tony Orme, Commercial Spinout Manager, CCS

17 June 2010

Would you like to start a new enterprise in one of the award winning Aberystwyth Arts Centre Creative Units, rent free, for a year from August 2010?

Building on the success of last year’s competition, Aberystwyth University is pleased to announce the launch of the 2010 ‘Year in a Unit’ Competition.

“The competition is open to Aberystwyth University students, staff and graduates with an idea for a business or community enterprise based on any of the Creative Industries including film, tv, new media, performing arts, visual arts, applied arts and literature” explains Tony Orme, Commercial Spinout Manager at Aberystwyth University.

Applications will be reviewed by a panel and those shortlisted will be invited to pitch their business idea in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style forum. The winner will benefit from a ‘Year in a Creative Unit’ prize in the award winning development at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

Speaking of his success in last year’s competition, Ric Lloyd of Cleftec commented, “Cleftec’s launch this year was made possible as a result of winning the 2009 ‘Year in a Unit’ competition. Apart from the obvious publicity benefits winning the competition brought to the business, the stunning Creative Unit has enabled us to establish a hi-tech base and build a reputation based on delivering quality and efficiency to our clients”.

Alan Hewson, Director of Aberystwyth Arts Centre, said: “It’s great to be involved again in 'Year in a Unit' particularly after the success of Ric Lloyd's Cleftec music business in the first year of the scheme.

The ‘Year in a Unit’ offers an exciting opportunity for new companies to work with the other resident arts businesses and artists in our award winning Creative Units and to be part of the growing creative community at the Arts Centre.”

Working in conjunction with Aberystwyth Arts Centre, the competition is coordinated by Commercialisation and Consultancy Services (CCS) at Aberystwyth University.

“The competition is part of the broader package of Enterprise support offered through CCS to students, graduates and staff wishing to start new businesses locally, particularly where these businesses are related to the knowledge and expertise of the University” added Tony Orme.

For full details of the competition and eligibility criteria, please contact Tony Orme, Commercial Spinout Manager, Aberystwyth University awo@aber.ac.uk / 01970 622203. The deadline for the submission of applications is Monday 5th July 2010