Sunderland business graduates play to win

Sunderland graduates are officially the best business brains in the North East after two of the university's students won first and second place in the 2009 North East Universities Business Awards.

University of Sunderland business graduate Helmut Okike from Gateshead won first place in the 2009 Blueprint Business Awards, beating off rivals from all the of the North East's universities. Fellow Sunderland business graduate Chris Bushell came second.

Okike’s company, Campus Games, provide a fully managed on-site gaming experience for students. Okike believes that his company succeeded because of their enthusiasm and the unique service they provide.

Okike says: "We went into this business with our eyes wide open, understanding the hardship we would have to go through. We knew that that sometimes we would be pushing forward on passion and enthusiasm alone. We often worked 16 hour days to get the business off the ground.

"It is great to be recognised in the region and the prize fund helps our cash flow greatly while we receive invaluable in kind support from various sponsors who have donated their time and resources to ensure that our business is well supported.

"This just goes to show that there is a huge commitment from business leaders in the North East to support young people who are prepared to work hard and dare to go it alone."

Campus Games received £7,500 to help turn their business ideas into a reality as well as in kind support and advice donated by members of the regional business community.

Chris Bushell from South Shields, who is also a University of Sunderland business graduate, won second place for his business, Bikehireuk.

Bushell's company allows people to hire bikes via their mobile. He says: "Bikehireuk, aka The Student Bike Loans Company, leases low cost folding bikes to students in the UK. Our bikes are able to store in student accommodation and be taken on Metros and buses.

"The best thing about the award is meeting the other entrepreneurs and talking to like minded people who are passionate about their mission."

Viv Kinnaird, dean of Sunderland Business School, said: "We are very proud of Helmut and Chris, as we pride ourselves on producing graduates with the entrepreneurial skills and business acumen to go out and do great things."

Now in its sixth year, the Blueprint Business Awards has helped set up more than 163 firms and create nearly 300 jobs.

This is the second year Sunderland has triumphed over the other regional universities in the Business Awards - in 2008 graduate Paul McCoy won the Business Award for his media production company, MCC Media.