News

Thursday 29 June 2006

Graduate wins young entrepreneur of the year award

A Nottingham Trent University graduate has scooped the prestigious Shell Livewire Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. James Steward won the award for his revolutionary Cyclepod design, a funky, new-age bicycle-storage system which he developed while studying BA (Hons) Product Design at the University.

James collected the prize with Natalie Connell, his business partner of Built from Scratch Designs Ltd. The pair had beaten off competition from 900 entrants and were presented with the award at Claridges in London. James Smith, the Chairman of sponsors Shell UK hosted the 12 finalists and Margaret Hodge MBE MP, Minister of State for Industry and the Regions, was guest speaker.

James and Natalie were praised by the judges as concept makers, product designers, innovators and functional artists, whose product had commercial potential on a global scale.

The Cyclepod has created a form of cycle storage and shelter which looks modern, novel and exciting. It maximises space allowing eight bikes to be stored in a two metre diameter and is highly secure as cyclists can lock both the frame and wheel to the unit using almost any type of lock.

James Steward said: “Winning entrepreneur of the year was a massive pat on the back for both myself and Natalie. We both worked so hard to turn what was a final-year university project into what is now, a commercially desirable product and business. The next step for us now is to make Cyclepods available worldwide.”

James Dale, Programme Leader for Product Design, said: “The Cyclepod is a great piece of design which combines James’ strong aesthetic sense and love of materials with a keen awareness of the needs of the user. James was always a highly ambitious student and his determination to take his final-year design project into production was inspiring.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782 or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk.

Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774 or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.