LSBU Alumna wins 2013 Enterprise Pitching Competition

LSBU alumna Charlotte Beck won an intense round of live pitches to impress a panel of judges and audience members to win the jury prize of £500 towards her business, SaintClinX.

Charlotte with Richard Farleigh and family

As part of LSBU’s Enterprise Day held on Wednesday 4 March, over 50 entrepreneurs comprising of students and recent graduates applied to compete. Six finalists were then selected to pitch their ideas to a panel headed by Richard Farleigh, former Dragon’s Den panellist and current LSBU Chancellor.

Charlotte is CEO of SaintClinX, which provides alternative schooling provision to young people at risk of exclusion.

Charlotte spoke to the LSBU Alumni Association about her success and how this will impact her business: “Pitching to the three judges and the audience was nerve-racking because I had never pitched before, or spoken to such a large audience. It was also exhilarating and extremely helpful for future pitches.

“SaintClinX runs a five week, offsite provision for 15 youths who are supported by 10 adults and focus on family values such as shared meal times. Students study eight bespoke, personal social development topics such as ‘Love and Relationships’, ‘Discipline and Organisation’, ‘Respect’ and ‘The Environment’ whilst working towards their bronze Arts Award qualification. They are then re-integrated back into mainstream learning but are always welcome to return to SaintClinX.”

Charlotte will use the prize money to fund uniforms for the first 75 students: “The exposure SaintClinX has and will receive is already apparent; we have made loads of business connections since the win and will now be featured in some local publications which is fantastic news for the company.”

As a graduate of the BA Arts Management course, Charlotte looks back on her studies fondly. So much so that she based the SaintClinX head office within one of the main University buildings often used for LSBU entrepreneurs: “I love working at LSBU, the office space is helping to take my business from strength to strength, and as an entrepreneur it is vital for your sanity to have a space away from home where you can go and work. I studied here on and off for 6 years so I know the area well and I’m surrounded by enthusiastic people. It is my second home.”

Find out more about the Enterprise Pitching competition and contestants