Brunel Graduate receives ï¿¡20,000

 BRIDGING the GAP and Brunel University London's talented graduate start-up business Lauren Bell, Cosi Care took home ï¿¡20,000 at the final of this year's Mayor of London's Entrepreneur Competition, with Anil Puri, Pet Instincts reaching semi-final stage.

Product design graduate Lauren Bell won the ï¿¡20,000 Creative Industries award for her project Cosi Care, a business dedicated to creating products that offer instant relief to children suffering with eczema.

Lauren said: "Winning the award is such a massive honour and the money will allow us to exhibit at the Allergy and Free From Show in London this year, work on our website and brand, refine the prototype further and take us to the next exciting stages. Winning an office space for a year was incredible too, and in such a brilliant location. A very exciting year ahead for Cosi Care!" 

More than 500 students entered the competition, which was open to all students and recent graduates from London universities to submit their smart ideas for one of three categories: Environment, Creative Industries and Tech. Anil Puri, Pet Instincts reached the semi-finals with his innovative idea for monitoring and calming pets left ‘home alone.’

Andy Cripps, Entrepreneur director for BRIDGING the GAP, said: "It’s fantastic to see and be able to help Lauren and Anil move from strong final year projects to strong business ideas. Communicating these ideas concisely and clearly under pressure, as in the competition, is a key ability for future success.”

Brunel University London has an established legacy of transforming students into entrepreneurs, and the success of its students and graduates in the Mayor of London's Entrepreneur Competition reflects this. In 2017 Ehab Sayed reached the final for Triagomy, an organic and natural construction system. The company he founded, BIOHM is another business on the BtG programme!

For further information on BtG please email Nam or Andy.