A team of Engineering Doctorate students from WMG were runners-up in the grand final of the Engineering Young Entrepreneurs Scheme (Engineering YES) in Birmingham on 18 June.

The competition is for UK-based postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers to present a business plan for an imaginary startup company to a group of shrewd investors and industry experts. Participants learn the techniques of how to go about planning a new business venture, and meet local entrepreneurs and business leaders who have done it for real, before presenting their business plans to the panel.

Congratulations to Simon Brook, Thomas Bruen, Matthew Byrne, James Hooper and Richard Woodward, who were awarded first prize for their 'lift/elevator pitch' in the three-day West Midlands heat last month, where they were also joint winners of the Peer Review Prize and runners up overall, winning £500.

At the grand final, they placed second out of eight teams drawn from heats from across the country, receiving another £500.

Doctoral students on our EngD International programme are encouraged to complete a group project, which counts towards their portfolio, and this team worked together to present a business plan for a company which would 3D scan and print parts for vintage cars.

Their proposal was based around the problem of sourcing parts for rare vintage models. For example if you can find a part, what sort of condition will it be in and how much will it cost? You could manfacture a new part but that would be costly unless you looking to manufacture in bulk. Using 3D scanning technology on an existing part and then 3D printing using Additive Layer Manufacturing would provide speed, accuracy and be much more economical on single or low volume items.

For more information on our Engineering Doctorate programmes please see go.awarwick.ac.uk/wmgdoctorate