(Pictured are last year’s finalists.)

Eight Kent students will enter the dragons’ den in the ASPIRE’s pitching finals to try to impress judges including the founder of international fashion brand Dune London, Daniel Rubin. 

Selected following the inspiring 15-week Business Start-Up Journey programme, students who could win £1000 prize money are:

• Toyin Sanyaolu (KBS) with Wonder Lab – immersive STEM teaching. 

• Jane Davidson (History) with Positive Procrastination – time management tools. 

• Danika Hossain (KBS) with Banghra Blends – Indian inspired range of cocktails and drinks. 

• Felicity James (School of Social Sciences) with Dive Right In – an inclusive swim school. 

• Isidora Grey (KBS) with Protein Cookies 

• Akash Ramakrishna Iytha (KBS) founder of a new customised clothing brand 

• Aamir Khokhar (KBS) with Khocars tours – inclusive sports car road trips 

• Rhoslyn Singh (School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics) – Rhoslyn’s Art – direct to consumer hand-painted artwork 

The finalists will compete in the pitching finals to be held in Sibson on Wednesday 19 March. They each have 5 minutes to pitch their business, followed by 4 minutes of quick-fire questions from the judges. 

The judges are: 

• Emay Enemokwu, KBS graduate and founder of JEHUCAL streetwear brand  

• Nadia Simpson, KBS graduate and founder of Your Amora and NuEleFa beauty brands  

• Daniel Rubin, KBS graduate (second 500), Kent Hon Doc and founder Dune London  

• Alex Ford, Computer Science graduate, serial entrepreneur and founder Claro Wealth  

• Laura Bounds MBE owner of award-winning brands Kent Crisps, Kentish Oils, Kentish Condiments and A Little Bit Food Co  

• Debbie Zaman, Angel investor and mentor for the Innovation RCA incubator at the Royal College of Art. Supporter of woman in business and (Exited) Founder of With, PR agency. 

In the audience will be family, friends and supporters of the ASPIRE’s work including investors, mentors and ASPIRE alumni. 

The finalists will all be working with mentors to help them prepare for the pitching finals. Mentors include owner of Garage Coffee, Luke Underdown, owner of Macknade Fine Food Hall, Stefano Cuomo and Dan Crooks, MD of iFruits. 

Pop-up market

Alongside the pitching finals, other students will be showcasing their businesses in an exciting pop-up market held in Sibson atrium from 10:00 – 13:00 on March 19. 

Businesses taking part in the pop-up market include 1823 fashion including clothes, shoes and accessories; Divine Lashes by Isha; EntreConchitas jewellery, Hampers by Dani, Heretical Studios VR experiences and delicious cakes from Spontaneous Bakes and Sugar Sweet. 

Shop the pop-up market any time between 10:00 – 13:00 to show your support for Kent’s student entrepreneurs. 

Places to watch pitching finals from 14:00-16:00 are limited and allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. To request a reserved place please email ASPIRE@kent.ac.uk