Young entrepreneurs 'sock' it to experts (From The Advertiser Series)

Students from Middlesbrough College impress judges with design for security device

6:00am Wednesday 23rd January 2013 in Business By Steven Hugill

STUDENT entrepreneurs could land a significant investment after impressing judges in a national competition.

The five-girl team from Middlesbrough College designed Sokit, a velcro-fastening sock pocket to store valuables while on the move.

Abigail Fawcett, Victoria Trainor, Lauren Walker, Charlotte Thorpe Smith and Alex Hall pitched their idea at the Institude of Directors, in London's Pall Mall, and have an received an enquiry from a judge interested in placing an order.

The girls, who are studying sport and public services competition, had to devise a business plan and use marketing strategy to identify financial constraints before using an online video to show their product to experts.

Judges were given credit cards loaded with points, and had to spend their amounts on the business ideas they found most viable.

A second college team of Amy Diamond, Jess Foster and Fatima Thompson, also pitched their idea for revolving aluminium pavement fences carrying advertisements on roller-blinds.

Lynne Alderson, the college's director of programme for service industries, said: “It was an amazing event, the students met fellow entrepreneurs and experienced networking and received invaluable feedback from professionals.”