We’re delighted to celebrate the success of undergraduate student, Owen Clater, who has been shortlisted for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards in the North East, Yorkshire and The Humber region.
Owen, currently studying Marketing Management and Business Strategy, is the CEO and co-founder of Becks and Clates, a dynamic marketing and technology company based at our Startup Studios. His nomination recognises his determination and innovation, which have resulted in significant growth in a short space of time.
Owen commented: ‘I'm honoured to be shortlisted for young entrepreneur of the year alongside 4 other brilliant nominees. Startup studios has been a great help for Becks & Clates and my other investments, highly recommend to any start ups!”
‘Anton James and Sarah Agar Brennan have dedicated a lot of their time and effort to help me grow, it’s greatly appreciated.’
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards honour the most inspiring business stories from across the UK. This year’s shortlist features over 800 entrepreneurs, highlighting the diversity and strength of the UK’s entrepreneurial landscape.
As Owen embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, he was supported by our Startup Studios team and benefited from a wealth of business expertise and knowledge from right across the University.
Our Startup Studios provide a vibrant hub for innovation, offering incubation offices, hot desking, virtual address services, and meeting spaces for new and emerging businesses, many of which are established by current students or recent graduates.
Sarah Agar-Brennan, Head of Commercialisation and Business Development, said: ‘We are incredibly proud of Owen’s achievements, and this nomination is testament to his talent and drive.
Owen’s grasped every opportunity available to him during his time here, taking advantage of the full range of support we offer to help our students grow and develop as the next generation of business leaders. The Startup Studios are designed to help emerging entrepreneurs like Owen turn their ideas into impactful ventures, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for him.’
Our students and graduates at Startup Studios also benefit from access to competitions and grants, with initiatives like the Big Ideas Competition and Start Up Grants designed to spark innovation and support entrepreneurial growth. We also host a regular series of workshops and networking events, connecting aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced business professionals, and provide coaching and mentoring to offer the guidance and confidence needed to transform ambition into action.