EDUCATION

Cornwall’s second Techstars Start-up Weekend, hosted by Falmouth University’s venture studio, Launchpad, took place recently bringing to life a set of innovative new business ideas.

On the opening night participants pitched 28 ideas with the top seven chosen for development over the weekend where the ideas were taken from concept to creation – testing, prototyping, validating, and culminating in a final pitch night to a panel of judges.

The range of ideas included an immersive AR application that allows you to ‘be there’ for any occasion, a VR gallery experience, a remote worker onboarding platform and a digital hub for student freelancers. The

winning team, SpaceforU, led by Launchpad student Lauren Packham, explored the concept of a digital marketplace listing all the co-working spaces in the region.

Packham said: “It was so amazing to see my idea take first place – this is my third Techstars Weekend so I’m really happy. Huge thanks to my team, who worked so hard over the weekend. It’s an intense environment but you learn so much, and we definitely think this could be a viable business to keep working on.”

Part of the globally renowned Techstars Startup Weekend movement, the event is designed to support and encourage budding entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs, creatives and anyone with new business ideas.

Cornwall, home to some of the best restaurants and eateries in the country, can now add another venue to its growing list of accolades after Senara Restaurant at Penwith College in Penzance was crowned Best College Restaurant in the UK at a glittering award ceremony in London.

Senara, which has long been known locally as one of the best restaurants in the area, has now seen its appeal go national, after judges for the AA Hospitality Awards scored its students 100% for their final presentation, a top score not matched in any previous year.

Professional cookery students – Emily Earley and Shay Uren - from Penwith College travelled to London for the glittering award ceremony on Tuesday, hosted at the Grosvenor Hotel by television sport personality Gabby Logan.

The event is a highlight in the industry calendar with over 1,000 guests from hotels and restaurants coming together to celebrate the best in the UK.

The students were joined at the ceremony by catering lecturers Dean Bungay and Dave Izzard, who said: “We know how good Senara is and reviews from our customers back this up, however being awarded ‘the best in the UK’ by such a prestigious awarding body is fantastic.”

Falmouth University’s Games Academy has been recognised as one of the best in the world.

The academy features in the top 20 of The Global World Schools Rankings list in three categories – Best Games Design Schools, Best Concept Art Illustrations Schools and Best Games Design & Development Schools for Production Excellence.

‘The Rookies’ league table recognises the most influential colleges and universities in the field of game design, development and concept art and 2022’s results were based on more than 58,443 portfolio reviews assessed by a team of more than 150 industry professionals.

Dr Douglas Brown, head of games at Falmouth University, said: “We’re delighted in the Games Academy to see the recognition from industry body The Rookies in more of their global disciplinary leagues than ever before.

“Branching out into Game Design and Concept Art as well as keeping our place in the Game Development league table show that our students’ personal work is just as strong as the things they can create together.”

Cornwall College has received a donation of construction-related signs from a leading local housebuilder.

Persimmon Homes Cornwall has donated several health and safety signs that will be erected in the College’s Skills Centre.

The signs will ensure construction students of all trades from bricklayers to carpenters have a greater awareness of working on a ‘live site’ environment. month by Persimmon Homes regional apprenticeship manager, Andy Wallis, who said: “With many developments across Cornwall, we know how important it is to support local construction students and help develop a diverse, talented workforce for the years ahead.

“Demand for new homes for Cornish people shows no sign of slowing, so it is vital we maintain a pipeline of fully trained talent to meet the needs of the local economy.”