The Manchester pitch competition witnessed a remarkable victory with UniDosh, a student marketplace app, emerging as the winner. It was awarded a prize bundle worth £35,000.
This innovative platform was founded by recent graduates Joseph Black and Oliver Jacobs. They successfully convinced the judges and overshadowed four other participants, marking a significant achievement at Accelerate Places’ event.
A Pioneering Solution for Students
UniDosh, launched during Freshers’ Week in Manchester, addresses the pressing financial challenges faced by students. It offers a platform for students to buy and sell services, such as tutoring and CV writing, thereby enabling them to earn and manage money efficiently. This app uniquely circulates monetary resources within the student community.
Impressive Prize Package
Winning the competition secured UniDosh with not only a £5,000 cash reward but also six months of free desk space at Accelerate Places Manchester. This prize includes a host of other benefits such as professional business consultations, web hosting, and event marketing. Such support is crucial for the early growth stages of a startup.
Additional rewards like PR and brand coaching, promotional content, and expert mentoring are also part of the bundle. This comprehensive support system aims to significantly accelerate UniDosh’s scaling efforts.
Judges’ Strong Endorsement
Lisa Murgatroyd, the community manager at Accelerate Places, praised UniDosh for its uniqueness and potential to transform the student economy. She asserted that the app stands out due to its ability to enhance students’ financial conditions effectively.
The app was seen as a commercial solution that not only solves real problems but is also scalable and innovative. There are no current incumbents in the market that challenge its niche.
Future Expansion Plans
Co-founder Joseph Black expressed enthusiasm about the prize, highlighting its timing as a major milestone since their inception only six months ago. He revealed that UniDosh already boasts around 3,000 users and has facilitated nearly 200 service bookings.
Exciting plans are underway to expand the app’s presence across universities nationwide. The goal is to provide a self-sustaining financial avenue for students while fostering a culture of skill-sharing and entrepreneurship.
Market Gap and Unique Proposition
Black and Jacobs initially identified a gap where students lacked flexible financial opportunities. UniDosh provides an alternative to traditional part-time jobs, which are often inconvenient due to academic schedules.
The app helps alleviate reliance on parental support and student loans, offering a viable solution for earning and saving money. UniDosh empowers students by facilitating peer-to-peer service exchanges.
UniDosh is an innovative response to the modern student’s needs, offering flexible work solutions that align with academic commitments. This approach supports not only student financial stability but also personal development.
Event Details and Competitive Edge
Hosted by Dreamr founder Mylo Kaye, the pitch night was an engaging event with Mark Onyett from Blenheim Chalcot leading the judging panel. The event brought together a range of businesses contributing to the prize pool, underscoring the collaborative spirit of Manchester’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The backing from prominent entities such as UKFast and Toast PR highlights the level of competition and opportunity provided to emerging startups like UniDosh.
Conclusion
UniDosh’s victory at the Manchester pitch competition signals a promising future for student-driven marketplaces. Its innovative approach meets critical financial needs while fostering a collaborative economy among students.
The triumph at this esteemed event not only boosts UniDosh’s immediate growth prospects but also sets a precedent for student innovation in the digital marketplace.
As UniDosh scales nationally, its influence on the student economy and entrepreneurial spirit is expected to grow, encouraging more students to engage in skill-sharing initiatives.
