Geraldine Boden Student Enterprise Fund – Call for Applications

To commemorate the excellent work the late Geraldine Boden achieved in developing student enterprise at SERC, Geraldine’s family, friends and colleagues established the Geraldine Boden Student Enterprise Fund. Geraldine worked at SERC as Enterprise Manager before she sadly passed away in 2016.  

One aspect of the Fund is the awarding of an Excellence Award for Entrepreneurship.  This was presented to Jessica Kent, a student on the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management by Cara and Jenna Boden, daughters of the late Geraldine Boden, at the Student Excellence Awards at the Downpatrick Campus recently.

Kieran McKenna, Head of Enterprise and Entrepreneurship at SERC said, “The College has been working closely with the Boden family to establish the funding element of the Geraldine Boden Student Enterprise Fund which will provide some support for students as they turn their business ideas into live business ventures.

“To date, the team behind the Bodie’s Barista venture have applied and successfully secured funding for the development of branding, the purchase of polo shirts, soft furnishings and plants for the student run café in the Downpatrick Campus.

He added, “We welcome further applications for funding to the Geraldine Boden Student Enterprise Fund. Funding may be accessed via two pathways, so this is an opportunity to secure funding, up to £500, to take your business idea forward or to access support for a placement opportunity, up to £150. This could make a huge difference to an individual or team who are working to move their ideas or personal development to the next level.”  

Funding Pathways for the Geraldine Boden Student Enterprise Fund

1. A student or group of students may identify, develop and test a business idea which they can demonstrate to be potentially commercially or socially viable (an example of a socially viable idea could be the development of a smart phone APP to locate the nearest defibrillator at any location). If at this point, they wish to establish a formal business to deliver this product or service they may apply to the fund for financial support which would normally not exceed £500 per project. It is anticipated that such funding will meet tangible costs associated with the development of a business idea, including prototype materials, specialised tooling or software.  
2. In certain cases, work placements in dynamic organisations will act as a catalyst for students to develop their own enterprise. Occasionally these opportunities may not be accessible for SERC students due to associated costs. This pathway will help support an individual student to avail of an opportunity that would not otherwise be available to them, and meet costs, for example the purchase of suitable attire, insurance, tools or other equipment. It will not be used where other sources of funding are available and normally will not exceed £150. The duration of the placement must be in excess of one week.

 How do I apply?

• To avail of funding via pathway 1, a business case should be submitted to GetTheEdge@serc.ac.uk  using Appendix 1 (Click here to download form).
• To avail of funding via pathway 2, a business case should be submitted to GetTheEdge@serc.ac.uk using Appendix 2 (Click here to download form).  

There is no deadline for applications which are welcome throughout the year.