Birkbeck entrepreneur wins accolade at Santander University Entrepreneurship Awards
Birkbeck student entrepreneur Suzi Godson has been lauded for her business, MeeTwo, at the 2016 Santander University Entrepreneurship Awards.
Birkbeck student entrepreneur Suzi Godson has been lauded for her business, MeeTwo – a safe, moderated app for phone and web where young people can openly express their concerns – at the 2016 Santander University Entrepreneurship Awards.
MeeTwo was among eight winning entrepreneurial projects chosen from a shortlist of 20 by a panel of judges – including academics, previous winners, senior Santander executives and entrepreneurs. MeeTwo won Runner-Up in the Technology and Mobile Applications category of the Awards, which were announced at a ceremony at The Hospital Club in London’s Covent Garden.
Suzi started her business along with co-Founder Kerstyn Comley while studying a PhD in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Birkbeck. Their app enables young people to ask difficult questions without fear of recrimination, repercussion, intimidation or bullying. When a problem is posted, other users can post a reply, or they can click a MeeTwo button to register that they have had the same experience.
In addition to their cash prize of £1000, MeeTwo has also been awarded with a set of prizes from digital agency Talent Cupboard including a free designed, built and hosted mobile and SE0-optimised website to help them kick-start their business.
“Taking part in the Santander Universities Entrepreneurship Awards has been a wholly valuable experience for me and my MeeTwo partner Kerstyn,” said Suzi, speaking after the Awards ceremony.
“From start to finish the process was rigorous and required us to really focus and sharpen our proposal. Thanks to the feedback from the expert panel assembled to judge the business plans, we were able to make positive changes for the future of our business.
“Preparing for the final meant refining our pitch and on the day we felt it could not have gone better. Having the encouragement from Birkbeck throughout the competition was fantastic and the flexible approach of the Enterprise Pathways team means we are looking forward to an on-going relationship, as I will be here at Birkbeck for some time still whilst I work on my PhD too!”
Matthew Jayes, who is part of the team who deliver the Birkbeck Enterprise Pathways programme, said:
“Like many Birkbeck students Suzi has to balance a number of commitments, as a psychologist, journalist, award-winning author and leading expert in sex and relationships and can now look forward to moving forward in this new stage as an entrepreneur.
“We now look forward to seeing what the future will hold for MeeTwo and will draw on Birkbeck’s strong network and expertise to ensure Suzi continues to enjoy success as MeeTwo becomes investor-ready.”
Robin Foale, managing director of Santander Universities, which runs the Awards, added:
“It’s crucial to encourage entrepreneurship every step of the way, especially for our young student entrepreneurs. They are the business leaders of tomorrow and are key to the growth and prosperity of our economy and it’s impressive to see so many students demonstrating a great deal of skill and initiative.”
Further information:
- Birkbeck Enterprise Pathways
- Department of Psychological Sciences
- Talent Cupboard
- School of Science
- Santander University Entrepreneurship Awards