A University of East London (UEL) student has won £10,000 to start up his own business after the ‘Dragon’s Den’ finale of UEL’s ‘E-Factor’ Business Plan Competition, held at the Knowledge Dock Centre at UEL’s Docklands Campus on Wednesday 7 March.

Graham Hoffman, a first-year student on UEL’s BA (Hons) degree in Computer Games Design, enjoyed a champagne celebration after impressing a panel of industry experts, including representatives from Barclays Bank, Tate & Lyle, Grant Thornton and the LDA.

The winning idea - a ‘Console Café’ to host high-profile, international computer game contests - will now be developed into a fully functional business under the guidance of Knowledge Dock, UEL’s enterprise development and support service.

Graham (18), of Canvey Island, said: "It’s a cliché, but I honestly feel like I’m dreaming! It’s my birthday on Sunday and I can’t think of a more exciting present than the opportunity to start up my own business, especially in an area I’m so passionate about.

"I came here tonight with no expectation of winning; I hadn’t given a public presentation for years, and the last time I did I fainted. It just goes to show how much studying at UEL and taking part in the E-Factor has increased my confidence, understanding and ability to convey ideas.

"The £10,000 prize will go towards the initial rent and interior design of the café, as well as paying for the first batch of consoles. I’m really excited about working out the plans, but all that has to wait a week – right now, I’ve got some coursework that desperately needs to be done!"

UEL’s E-Factor competition began in November 2006 when over a hundred UEL students and graduates entered business plans and took part in a range of Knowledge Dock workshops, specially organised to help them develop their ideas.

In February, ten finalists were selected to attend a series of business master-classes, before submitting 20-page plans and presenting their ideas to a panel of industry professionals at this week’s ‘Dragon’s Den’ style grand finale.

Vanessa Lavely, Area Manager at Barclays Bank and one of a panel of five judges, said: "It was tremendously difficult to choose a winner as all of the students were very talented and passionate about their business ideas. I'm 100% sure that, with continued mentoring, all of the finalists have the potential to become successful entrepreneurs. Barclays Local Business will continue to support UEL and Knowledge Dock to facilitate the development of their students."

The E-Factor's second prize of £1000 went to Andrew Preston and Felix Fong, who worked together on plans for a ‘Power Bar’ terminal, enabling people to charge up their mobile phones in public places. Zsuzsanna Nagy, a UEL Product Design graduate whose ‘Starlight’ lamps are already on sale in John Lewis, won the third prize of £500 to help further develop her innovative lighting designs.

Rob Moss, Director of Knowledge Dock, said: "The E-Factor has been a tremendous success and we look forward to developing the concept in years to come. The level of response we received goes to illustrate the strong entrepreneurial culture that exists within our student community and further enhances UEL’s reputation as one of the leading universities for entrepreneurship."

UEL’s Knowledge Dock enterprise development and support service contributes to the economic and social development of East London and Thames Gateway through provision of a range of business development and support services to inventors, businesses, academics, students and entrepreneurs. For further details, visit www.knowledgedock.com.

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