Business Development Project

Second year engineering students at Lancaster University develop ideas for business opportunities through the core ‘ENGR205 Business Development Project’ module. As a core component of the university’s programmes, the number of students registered for the module is high on the engineering pathway areas of mechanical, chemical, mechatronic, nuclear and electrical and electronic engineering. Students work in groups through the submission of a business plan and the subsequent pitching of the business innovations/ideas brought forward, to a panel comprising members from academia, industry and other areas.

Parasolar

Project:

Ten students came together to develop their Parasolar concept for a device that provides an untethered power supply as well as shelter/shade from the sun, comprising integrated solar panel(s) atop a stylish parasol. Their mission statement read: “At Parasolar, our mission is to revolutionise outdoor experiences into a convenient and luxurious oasis to our customers. We aim to supply innovative and eco-friendly solutions that harness the power of the sun to combine functionality of a parasol with state-of-the-art features.”

The product, with a battery installed within its base, would provide sufficient electrical power for appliances such as ‘phone chargers, music speakers, overhead fans, and possibly even mini-cooler devices.

Students:

Azooz Al Sharif – Mechanical Engineering
Baraa Elrayah – Mechanical Engineering
Hugh Lea – Mechanical Engineering
Muhamad Adam Muhamad Sukhaimi – Mechanical Engineering
Jonathan Sharp – Mechanical Engineering
Michael Bromilow – Mechatronic Engineering
Natalie Vanessa Chigwedere – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Trudie Morrison – Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Ano Chirongoma – Chemical Engineering
Kanyimaogor Oditah – Chemical Engineering

Awarded: £3,000

Positive feedback

The competition has become an integral component in our teaching of business to engineering students. Being able to invest in great ideas brought forward by our students provides an excellent opportunity to further develop skills outside of those traditionally taught within our programmes, and to witness the entrepreneurial flair that many of them have.

Professor Allan Rennie
Professor in Manufacturing Engineering and Director of Engagement
School of Engineering
Lancaster University