WINNERS REVEALED: University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition

A ZERO waste shop, an innovative boat trailer design and a night-time positioning aid were among the winning ideas at this week’s final of the University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition.

Nine out of 15 finalists shared in a record prize fund of £8,500 after pitching their idea to a panel of the region’s top business and enterprise professionals on Wednesday.

The Business Competition is run by CREATE, the Highlands and Islands Centre for Enterprise and Innovation based at Inverness College UHI. Now in its 14^th year, the competition supports and encourages entrepreneurship within the university but also across the wider Highlands and Islands, helping people to take the first steps on the road to starting their own business.

The competition is open to all students studying across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership, as well as non-students living in the Highlands & Islands, Moray and Perthshire. The competition attracted 90 entries, including 68 from students across the University partnership.

100 guests attended the final at Inverness College UHI, which followed an action packed day of pitches by finalists to a panel of experts including Anisha Macdermid, Exclamation Marketing! Gavin Ross, SGL Carbon; Clarrie Murdoch, Impact Hub Inverness; and Mark Bell, Impact 30.

The top prize of £1000 and a combined legal and accountancy package worth £2000 went to Alison Ruickbie, from Elgin, for her zero waste shop Re:Store, which opened in Lossiemouth in October 2019.

Brother and sister duo, Annie and Calum MacDonald, also scooped prizes - Calum, an HND Engineering Systems student from Inverness College UHI, winning the award for Best Engineering Environmental Business for his red mite deterrent, and Annie, a PhD History student from Inverness College UHI, winning the Youth Entrepreneurship Award, for her podcast idea.

Alick Maclean, a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student from Lews Castle College UHI, picked up two awards – Best Engineer and Best Design – for his innovative boat trailer design.

Four awards were sponsored by the Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF) in recognition of the importance of entrepreneurship in engineering. The charity promotes the value of business education for engineers.

The 2020 winners of the University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition were:

• Top prize of £1000 and a combined legal and accountancy package worth £2000 – Alison Ruickbie (50), from Elgin. Sponsored by Johnston Carmichael and Harper Macleod LLP.
• Most Innovative Business, £1000 – Terry Elder (30), from Dunbeath, a welding instructor and student at North Highland College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.
• Best Engineer Award, £1000 – Alick Maclean (40), Ranish, Isle of Lewis, a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student at Lews Castle College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.
• Best Design Award, £500 – Alick Maclean (40), from Ranish, Isle of Lewis, a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student at Lews Castle College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.
• Best Researched Idea, £750 and a Johnston Carmichael accountancy package – Martin Welch (57), a fisherman from Kyleakin, Skye. Sponsored by Essence of Harris, Impact Hub Inverness and The Apprentice Store.
• Best Social Impact Business, £750 – Gary Souter (30), from Elgin, an HNC Coaching and Developing Sport student from Moray College UHI. Sponsored by Essence of Harris, Impact Hub Inverness and The Apprentice Store.
• Best Engineering Environmental Business, £500 – Calum MacDonald (31), from Nairn, an HND Engineering Systems student at Inverness College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.
• Youth Entrepreneurship Award, £1000 – Annie MacDonald (29), from Inverness, a PhD student at the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for History. Sponsored by Impact 30.
• Best Student Business, £1000 – Roma Gibb (36), from Evanton, an Access to Nursing student at Inverness College UHI. Sponsored by the University of the Highlands and Islands.
• Best Commercial Business, £1000 – Joe Buchanan (18), from Inverness, a BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness student at Inverness College UHI. Sponsored by Business Gateway Highland.

Professor Chris O’Neil, Principal of Inverness College UHI, said: “Innovation and entrepreneurship are the wellsprings of any economy as they help to create jobs and identify new and better ways of doing things. All academic institutions have a responsibility to stimulate innovation and creativity for the greater good of society. The Business Competition is a prime example of our ambition to inspire, encourage and support students, staff and the business community to develop the knowledge, skills and motivation they need to realise their potential through enterprise. I know the judging panel had a very difficult job trying to identify the winners, however, all the finalists should be regarded as winners. I hope that they can capitalise on this experience and wish them all every success in the future. Collaboration with our partners, sponsors and judges make this event the success it is, and I would like to thank them all for their support once again.”

David Falzani MBE, President of Engineers in Business Fellowship, said: “We’re delighted that four engineers received an Engineers in Business prize.  It’s a privilege to support the university’s mission to inspire students to create innovative solutions to real life problems which may lead to new businesses, jobs and benefit the UK economy.”  

Ross Thomson, Partner with sponsor Harper Macleod LLP, said: “We are delighted to continue our support for the Business Competition this year. As an entrepreneurial business, with considerable experience in advising entrepreneurs and innovators, we recognise the value of the University’s Highlands and Islands’ Centre for Enterprise and Innovation and the importance of encouraging others to pursue their business ideas and hopefully make them a reality.  The standard of the finalists was exceptional, and we'd like to congratulate them all, particularly Alison, who won the top prize. We look forward to working with her."

Scott Jeffrey, Audit Partner with sponsor Johnston Carmichael, said: “Working with business owners who are passionate about what they do, is one of the best parts of my role at Johnston Carmichael. We support and encourage entrepreneurs who decide to set up their own business, as it’s incredibly important for the local economy and Scotland overall, and that’s just one of the reasons we’re very proud to continue to sponsor this UHI business competition. Meeting the finalists and hearing their vision and passion first-hand is what makes this a really exciting event to be part of. The ideas and established businesses we’ve learned about are inspiring and I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all finalists for their hard work and dedication, in particular Alison, for winning the top prize for her zero waste shop.”

Competition judge Gavin Ross, Maintenance Manager for SGL Carbon and member of the Inverness College UHI board of management, said: “The quality of the entries was exceptionally high and showcased the talent and innovation that exists within the University of the Highlands and Islands. It was a privilege to be part of the judging panel. Ultimately, it was the passion, innovation and clear communication of their vision that finally separated the winners and I, and the other judges, wish them every success as they continue to develop and grow their businesses.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Mark Councill, co-founder of Logie Timber, a full-circle timber business based on the Logie Estate, Moray. Logie Timber works with local, native species, particularly hardwoods but also softwoods. Mark talked about his start in business, the importance of perspective and perseverance, as well as his business values, including consideration of the environment, which influence his decisions and direction of the business. He also talked about the importance of finding a career which gives you reward.

The University of the Highlands and Islands Business Competition has attracted more than 1400 entries since it launched 14 years ago and has awarded more than £70,000 in cash prizes. It is open to all students studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands as well as non-students living in the Highlands and Islands, Moray and Perthshire.

It was made possible with the support of sponsors Engineers in Business Fellowship, the University of the Highlands and Islands, Harper Macleod LLP, Impact Hub Inverness, Johnston Carmichael, The Apprentice Store, Business Gateway, Essence of Harris, Exclamation Marketing, Impact 30, Logie Timber and SGL Carbon.

CREATE was formed to support innovation and entrepreneurship in the university and wider region.

Finalist profiles:

Top Prize: Alison Ruikbie

• Top prize of £1000 and a combined legal and accountancy package worth £2000 – Alison Ruickbie (50), from Elgin. Sponsored by Johnston Carmichael and Harper Macleod LLP.

Alison, from Elgin, set up her own zero waste shop Re:Store in Lossiemouth, Moray, in October 2019. Her idea was simple – to provide a shopping experience for customers without waste, where people can buy produce, plastic free, as well as reusable/sustainable products. She wants to help people reduce their packaging, particularly single use plastics and food waste through promoting the concepts - refill, refuse, reduce, renew, repair, recycle, redefine and rethink. She is keen to grow and develop the business by adding new product lines, including a pergal milk dispenser so customers can re-use their bottles, and increasing her outreach activity within the community, businesses and schools.

Alison said: “We've all seen Blue Planet and the videos of marine disasters and stricken animals affected by the plastics we use every day. It must stop somewhere. I wanted to change my lifestyle and reduce the amount of packaging I used, but found it was really hard to shop this way locally. We can't change the world alone but every small step we each make will bring us closer to a better world to leave to our children and grandchildren.”

She continued: “I am so overwhelmed to win this award. I didn’t think it was going to be me – there were so many amazing business ideas. I thought to myself, I’ve had a fantastic day, so when they read out my name, I was very shocked. I felt very emotional. This prize is going to make a huge difference to my business.”

Best Engineering Environmental Business: Calum MacDonald

• Best Engineering Environmental Business, £500 – Calum MacDonald (31), from Nairn, an HND Engineering Systems student at Inverness College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.

Calum, from Nairn, is an HND Engineering Systems at Inverness College UHI. His business idea is to use ultrasound to tackle the problem of red mites, a common problem for chicken owners/farmers. If left untreated, red mites can reduce egg production and lead to swelling, bleeding and death, in extreme cases. Ultrasound has been successfully used to combat dust mites, and Calum now plans to create a prototype and test his idea.

Calum said: “Owning hens, I know how hard it is to rid the flock of red mites – once they move in, it’s hard to get rid of them. If successful, it would lead to improved health, wellbeing and comfort for the chickens but also productivity.”

He continued: “My sister persuaded me to enter this competition, and I’m so glad she did. It’s been a great experience and I can’t believe I have won an award.”

Best Researched Idea: Martin Welch

• Best Researched Idea, £750 and a Johnston Carmichael accountancy package – Martin Welch (57), a fisherman from Kyleakin, Skye. Sponsored by Essence of Harris, Impact Hub Inverness and The Apprentice Store.

Martin has been a wrasse fisherman and a commercial scallop diver for many years. His business idea is KelpRing – a natural habitat/hide for cleaner fish for use in the salmon farming industry. Sea lice are a major problem for the Scottish aquaculture industry and cleaner fish are very effective in their control, however, they have a very high mortality rate. The KelpRing would be an effective tool to reduce this mortality rate by providing the wrasse with their own natural kelp forest habitat within the salmon pens. The kelp will also help to re-oxygenate the water and absorb some of the polluting phosphates/nitrates which are produced in the salmon faeces.

Martin said: “As a fisherman, I’m aware that there appears to be a special relationship between the kelp and the cleaner fish. This idea will allow these fish to live and thrive longer by giving them back their own natural habitat where they live in the wild – enabling them to consume more lice from the salmon and resulting in cost savings for the industry.”

Most Innovative Business: Terry Elder

• Most Innovative Business, £1000 – Terry Elder (30), from Dunbeath, Caithness, a crofter, welding instructor and student at North Highland College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.

Terry’s idea was a tractor loader front bale handle with hydraulic folding spikes, which would reduce the amount of accidents on the road, while adhering to new legislation which requires handling equipment to be folded back, removed or covered on the road.

Terry said: “As a fitter/welder to trade, I am always coming up with new ideas on how to make the day to day jobs on our croft safer and easier. This design will make a dangerous farming environment safer and if it could help stop people from getting hurt on our roads then that can only be a good thing and I am proud to put my name to it.”

Best Social Impact Business: Gary Souter

• Best Social Impact Business, £750 – Gary Souter (30), from Elgin, an HNC Coaching and Developing Sport student from Moray College UHI. Sponsored by Essence of Harris, Impact Hub Inverness and The Apprentice Store.

Gary is a football coach and knows how expensive it can be for parents to enable their children to participate in football, with costs ranging from fees to travel and kit. His business, Kitstart, looks to level the financial playing field for young footballers in Moray by providing essential, second-hand kit so kids from all backgrounds can access the sport. Having seen several examples of similar, charitable projects elsewhere, Gary says a discreet pay-what-you-can service for parents and families would allow all Moray children to help realise their dreams without discrimination. A pay it forward service would also allow people to help others.

Gary said: “So many children will miss out on organised football opportunities because of the escalated costs associated with participation. I remember how difficult it was for my parents and then for myself, keeping up with the financial demands of the game - constantly growing out of boots; having to buy pairs to suit all the different surfaces. Anything that can be done to help reduce these costs is a good thing and that’s what inspired me to pursue this project.”

Best Student Business: Roma Gibb

• Best Student Business, £1000 – Roma Gibb (36), from Evanton, an Access to Nursing student at Inverness College UHI. Sponsored by the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Being unable to correct your position in bed at night is a challenge faced by many people with certain medical conditions. Roma’s idea was the Night-time Assisted Positioning aid (NAP), which enables users to remain in a restful position all night, without the risk of moving, yet still allowing them full use of their arms. Having worked as a carer, Roma says it’s a problem faced by many people with mobility issues and has already developed a prototype product for a friend, which has made a positive difference.

Roma said: “Can you imagine having to lay in an uncomfortable slouched position all night, with no way to help yourself. That is the reality for lots of people with mobility problems and this product can change that.”

Best Commercial Business: Joe Buchanan

• Best Commercial Business, £1000 – Joe Buchanan, from Inverness, a BSc (Hons) Sport and Fitness student at Inverness College UHI. Sponsored by Business Gateway Highland.

Joe launched his videography company in July 2019, filming sports matches and creating highlight packages for clients to post on social media, bridging the gap between amateur, semi-pro and professional sport. This service enables fans globally to watch otherwise uncovered, local sport in Scotland. Joe currently works with Scottish Highland Football League, St Duthus FC and Highland RFC.

Joe said: “My inspiration to start the business came whilst working as an intern at Highland Rugby Football Club. I was filming the matches for training purposes and immediately came up with the idea to create highlights from the footage to give something back to the fans. I also put forward the idea to livestream the matches onto YouTube, which we still do today.  This has been embraced by supporters all over the world who cannot make the matches. We now have over 20 videographers working on a freelance basis.”

Youth Entrepreneurship Award: Annie MacDonald

• Youth Entrepreneurship Award, £1000 – Annie MacDonald (29), from Inverness, a PhD student at the University of the Highlands and Islands’ Centre for History. Sponsored by Impact 30.

Annie’s idea is Sphagnum Media, a new podcast network that aims to give listeners adventure, inspiration and insight through celebrating Highland stories. Annie has a natural curiosity and love for story-telling, launching her first podcast series, Stories of Scotland, in July 2019 with co-founder and Jenny Johnstone. The monthly podcast series explores the relationship between nature and history and is downloaded over 4000 times per month. Annie wants to create a new podcast network that connects the Highlands with a global audience and produce original fiction podcasts showcasing original upcoming talent from the region.  

Annie said: “Small podcasting companies are changing the landscape of digital media, able to pivot quickly to the demands of consumers. The Highlands are rich with culture, stories and talent, which can give us new perspectives on people, land and environments. I want to bring the Highlands to the world.”

She added: “Calum and I are both incredibly proud of each other and feel so happy to be here together tonight as award winners. I had to persuade Calum to enter and I’m just so pleased he did. I feel so proud of what he’s achieved and can’t wait to start on my new podcast series. The support from Inverness College UHI, the Centre for History in Dornoch and the Create team has been amazing – this prize will make such a huge difference. I’ve got so many ideas and can’t wait to start making these stories and sharing them with a global audience."

Best Engineer Award and Best Design Award: Alick Maclean

• Best Engineer Award, £1000 and Best Design Award, £500 – Alick Maclean (40), Ranish, Isle of Lewis, a BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student at Lews Castle College UHI. Sponsored by Engineers in Business Fellowship.

Alick’s unique boat trailer design will make boat launching and retrieval effortless, regardless of how challenging the shore terrain is. This design is particularly useful for solo boat operators and anyone who wants to make sure that their boat is cared for and still stay afloat!

Alick said: “One of the most difficult and most precarious aspects of boating is launching and retrieval and any mistakes or mishaps can have very expensive consequences. My business idea is to develop my boat trailer design that will fit virtually any type of boat hull and will enable solo users to launch and retrieve their boat single-handedly. A unique boat trailer design that will make launching and retrieval of boats effortless, regardless of how challenging the terrain is.”