Tina Dhanjal, James Brown, Matthew Alleyne, Shazia Ullah and Veronica Igwe, residents of Newham, Docklands and Redbridge, are all setting up their own companies at the HotHatch business start up centre, part of Knowledge Dock at UEL, launched in May to provide advice, hot-desking and networking support to budding entrepreneurs.

The Haberdashers’ award, launched this year, is open to applications from students and graduates. Brian Blair, Assistant Clerk and Director of Charities at the Haberdashers’ Company said: “There are a lot of exciting and promising business ideas around. I am impressed by the good work the University of East London does to support the regeneration of the area and the community.”

“During our visit to the Knowledge Dock and HotHatch facility at UEL’s Docklands Campus, I was most impressed by the creative, entrepreneurial spirit being engendered amongst students, former students and local residents. The University is providing the right conditions and amazingly practical help for young people to start up their own businesses and get them established. It is also very exciting to see how well integrated UEL’s activities in this field are with those of the local community. There is a genuine two-way flow of expertise and resources. “

Knowledge Dock, UEL’s business services arm, works with over 2,000 companies and enterprises across the region, and is a successful example of HEI-business partnership, providing a wide range of business services, training, and consultancy. The HotHatch is a new pre-incubation facility at UEL’s Knowledge Dock supporting young businesses in their early stages.

HotHatch Manager Thorsten Klein said: “These grants are a great opportunity for our students and graduates. We can now offer everything a start-up needs to make a presence in the market place. Our graduates are full of brilliant ideas and enthusiasm, and we are here to help them fly!” 

To find out more about HotHatch and Knowledge Dock at UEL, call Thorsten Klein or Sujata Vaishnav on 020 8223 7603. www.knowledgedock.com

Award winner profiles 
 

Tina Dhanjal of Fishguard Way, Beckton - “Oh Grow Up” fashion accessories,
UEL Fashion Design graduate Tina has been working with the Knowledge Dock for more than a year. She has won the British Female Inventor Award 2005 and now has developed a new range of stylish accessories, handbags, notebooks,etc. She has sold designs to Marks & Spencers and Selfridges and is producing her latest range with fair trade producers in Nepal. She said: "The grant will allow me to get my website off the ground and support the marketing for the Christmas season"

Matthew Alleyne of Tyrone Road, East Ham - ISIS disability access consultancy
UEL Communications graduate Matthew is setting up a disability access consultancy and has already been approached by a local authority to carry out surveys into disability access. Himself affected by a disability he has been trained to be an expert in all matters of disability access. He said: “I have invested nearly all of my personal resources into my business idea. This grant and the support I received from the HotHatch will allow me to make my business real and carry out the first surveys for clients.”

Shazia Ullah from Cranbrook Rise, Ilford - SPICE, Brit-Asian clothing range
UEL MBA graduate Shazia Ullah has developed a unique clothing range featuring Asian fashion with a British twist. She said: "My business is truly global - I am working with a local designer in East London, source my raw materials in China, produce the items in Pakistan. The grant will allow me to develop marketing materials to approach wholesalers throughout the UK."

Veronica Igwe of Dersingham Ave, Manor Park - Anointed Productions, community film
UEL Media Studies graduate Veronica has set-up a social enterprise delivering community based film and media projects. She said: "we are supporting the work of community organisations through our media company - it has been challenging, but we are looking forward to expanding our work engaging more support organisations and increasing our portfolio."

James Brown of Romford Road, Forest Gate - JiB Productions, Digital Audio Movies
UEL Sports Science graduate James Brown has developed a new Media format - the Digital Audio Movie and is looking forward to launching the first play of this format at the University of East London in August 2005. He said: "Setting up in business has been difficult and I am glad for all the support we received in the HotHatch. The grant enables me to develop marketing material and support the development of a new script."

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975