The Student Business Concept Awards

Published: 09 April 2020

The Student Business Concept Awards 2020 are now underway. The six-week programme gives teams of St George’s students the chance to work on a business idea through a series of workshops. The team with the best business concept will win a cash prize of £1,000 to put towards a start-up.

In total eight different projects successfully applied for the awards this year. Meenakshi Jhala, a medicine student at St George’s who is currently intercalating, is running one of the eight projects. 

Meenakshi says, “My project is about student wellbeing. I represent St. George’s on the Student Room and frequently give advice to students (not just from St George’s) about wellbeing and health. You’d be surprised how many students are going through problems and just need someone to talk to.

“That, alongside undertaking research on student wellbeing this year and seeing the results, really solidified my decision to choose student wellbeing as my business concept. Having researched stress, anxiety and depression for my dissertation project, I understand how real the effects are on students in the short and long term.

“My project aims to equip students with life-long skills to be able to combat issues such as stress or anxiety. I’ve been through my fair share of ups and downs personally during university and I want to ensure my peers don’t go through similar things or, if they do, that they’re supported through those times.

"Winning the award would kickstart the project and fund the setting up of a charitable company - from the website to advertising. My end goal is to give every student the best chance to excel at university but I want to start at St George’s.

“Honestly, if it were not for the bad times, I would not be doing this now and I am so excited to get started! This is something so close to my heart, I would have made time for it regardless of circumstance.

“I’m sure it will be challenging to manage as exams approach, but I am really eager and excited to learn more about business and improve my skills. This isn’t work for me, it’s my passion!”