SERC PBL Enterprise Challenge 2023 Winner Crowned

Nine finalist groups were announced for the PBL Enterprise Challenge 2023, which took place on 26 October at SERC Bangor Campus. The finalist groups went head-to-head using media such as PowerPoint, flip charts and practical demonstrations to pitch their business ideas to the judges in a Dragons’ Den style final. The winning team needed to demonstrate how their idea was innovative, creative and involved strong teamwork. The viability of the business idea was also taken into consideration.  

The finalist judges were:  

• Matt Gillespie – Urban Excel   
• Nancy Brown – Ulster University  
• Robert Ferguson – Four Gears Media  
• Liz Barron - Screen Skills NI 

After fierce competition from the other teams, SERC student company Not a Pot, based in Bangor, won overall, with each member receiving Lenovo tablets. The Not a Pot team is made up of SERC Level 3 Business students Rebeka Jaunlinina, Nathan Wallis-Mckimm, Jonah Porter and Josh Routledge. They take pre-loved clothing and accessories and turn them into quirky plant holders bursting with personality. At the heart of Not a Pot’s mission is reducing plastic waste and using circular economy principles in the development of their fun-filled product.  

The runners up were SERC student companies Anti-Spike and Nicotine Nemesis, both based in Downpatrick, whose members each received wireless earphones. 

SERC Senior Innovation Advisor Dearbhla Knight commented, “The Expo Final really showcases the incredible work that takes place behind the scenes by our students and staff here in SERC, and how Project Based Learning and entrepreneurship are at the heart of what we do. Over 400 projects were narrowed down to just nine finalists, which was no easy task. The finalists all performed exceptionally, and everyone was bowled over by the quality of their projects, their presentation skills, and the confidence they showed presenting to our panel of judges, which to add to the pressure, was also streamed live. We are grateful to our fantastic judges for giving their time, and to our colleagues from across the College who helped to make the event such an amazing success.” 

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