Advertisement
Activism

Edinburgh students set for university challenge to tackle inequalities

A group of students at the University of Edinburgh’s Business School will face a 48 hour challenge to create their own socially conscious business.

A group of Edinburgh-based students will attempt to tackle some of the world’s most prescient challenges this week by developing a business idea that combines profit with purpose.

Over 100 undergraduate students at the University of Edinburgh’s Business School will take part in the 48-hour #makeyourmark competition which challenges them to develop their own social enterprise to tackle inequalities.

Students will get the chance to discuss their ideas with business leaders and to create something that has the potential to benefit our collective future

Running from October 24 to 26 the students will identify global challenges, ranging from fuel poverty and loneliness in old age, to financial literacy and homelessness which they will model their business around.

https://vimeo.com/232013400

Run in partnership with Social Investment Scotland, one of the UK’s leading responsible finance providers, students will receive mentoring and workshops from some of Scotland’s leading business minds over the two days, as they try develop solutions to the challenges they identify.

Each team will present their business model to a panel of judges on the final day, for a chance to secure networking time with leading global businesses and social enterprises.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Wendy Loretto, Dean of the University of Edinburgh Business School said: “The Business School asks students to look at the world with critical eyes, and this is event is another example of our commitment. With #makeyourmark students will get the chance to discuss their ideas with business leaders, to work with students from different parts of the university, and to create something that has the potential to benefit our collective future.”

The winning team of the inaugural event held in February, developed Femmebox, a product to support homeless women with vital feminine hygiene products. Using a monthly subscription model, Femmebox matched every box of hygiene products purchased with an equivalent parcel, delivered to shelters for women in need.

Mariah Tissera, a winning member of the Femmebox team, said: “The amount of knowledge and skills I gained from well-established social entrepreneurs about big issues that are very close to my heart has been incredible!”

Advertisement

Change a vendor's life this Christmas

This Christmas, 3.8 million people across the UK will be facing extreme poverty. Thousands of those struggling will turn to selling the Big Issue as a vital source of income - they need your support to earn and lift themselves out of poverty.

Recommended for you

Read All
How Mexico's women hijacked Día de los Muertos to remember the missing and the murdered
The Day of the Dead Women protests in Mexico City in 2021
Activism

How Mexico's women hijacked Día de los Muertos to remember the missing and the murdered

TV legend Carol Vorderman on death, social media and why she's still voice of the opposition
Exclusive

TV legend Carol Vorderman on death, social media and why she's still voice of the opposition

I'm an Israeli who helped survivors of 7 October attack. Here's why we need a ceasefire in Gaza
War in Gaza

I'm an Israeli who helped survivors of 7 October attack. Here's why we need a ceasefire in Gaza

100 students die by suicide at university each year. These parents are fighting to change that
Mental health

100 students die by suicide at university each year. These parents are fighting to change that

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue