Kent host their first iTeams Grand Final

On Wednesday 4th March, the University of Kent hosted their first iTeams Grand Final. The iTeams scheme, funded through EIRA, was launched six weeks ago. Students were placed into teams, given a mentor from the Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce, and a team challenge set by one of the challenge providers: TMLEP, Lucas and Southeastern.

Tudor Price from the Chamber of Commerce encouraged the students to think strategically about the impact of their solutions by looking at competitor companies, giving participants a platform to work from. Over the six sessions, students developed their presentation and consultative skills under the guidance from business mentors.

The challenges set by the businesses involved a range of real issues, including how to exploit emerging technologies, communicate more effectively with customers and enhance the passenger experience.

Alexander Acaster, UK Clinical Services Manager at TMLEP said that:

“iTeams has been an eye-opening experience and one that TMLEP are keen to be a part of again in the future. The power of the student collective is something not to be understated and the solutions developed by all iTeams were exceptional. TMLEP will definitely be taking on board the solution put forward by the students and will look how we can implement into our future business plans. Here’s to iTeams 2021!”

The grand final was closed by the Director of Innovation and Enterprise Carole Barron. As a judge, Carole was overwhelmed by the talent and dedication of the participants saying:

‘It’s innovations like iTeams that are helping support students’

To read more on this story, please visit the University of Kent Innovation and Enterprise blog.