The new Konetics Society joins the long list of just over 90 different Societies already actively supported by students at the University. Konetics  is a new student enterprise club, set up by two second year law students and two first year business management students, which joins together students who are already having fun embarking on their own business ventures with those who would like to enter the Start-Up market.

The launch event created the opportunity for students to mix with business mentors, representatives from the Welsh Government and organisations who provide key support to young entrepreneurs. The Start-Up Market provided a platform for a collection of student businesses to showcase their products and services on their own stalls.

Azeem Bhatti showcased Goggi’s Cuisine, which produces speciality Pakistani Food. Azeem’s Aunt currently cooks the tasty spicy dishes and sells them from a market stall but Azeem, who is studying for a degree in Marketing wants to help produce her business plan and help her to expand. Azeem ran a restaurant in Pakistan and wants to establish one in Wales.

Other stallholders who showcased their business ideas were Jamine Lilei and her Fruit Dessert House delicious healthy desserts; Siobhan Wright and Nanette Turkson showing their beautiful denim Varsity jackets which they have produced working with the Samaritans Charity shop; Appah Prince the creator of RoomPaddy.com – an online rental room-finder service which already has over a thousand properties on its books from across the UK and Computer Science and Biosciences students Andy Ryan and Owen Bidder who have developed their ‘What’s That’ app which has on its database over 60 different British Butterflies which users can access to identify any unusual sightings and record on the website. 

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The setting up of Konetics follows on from the interest sparked by Swansea graduate and entrepreneur Sir Terry Matthews when he came to the University last year to launch Global Entrepreneurship Week 2013 and present £250 to each team taking part in the challenge to turn that sum into a profit in 8 weeks. Two of the student enterprises on show at the Konetics launch are in the final of the enterprise challenge and are keeping their fingers crossed.

Swansea University has an Employability Academy which is responsible for supporting and developing entrepreneurial skills in students. The Academy develops and promotes new initiatives, showcases good practice and provides opportunities for students to improve skills and record achievements using the Higher Education Achievement Report. It also invites organisations and individuals to support its students by providing relevant and interesting work experience opportunities, so that students learn to respond and adapt to new challenges, circumstances and cultures. The Academy has appointed Directors of Employability in every College, who lead a team which will help students at all levels of study to reach their potential- whether that is through a job, self employment or further study. 

Judith James, Manager of the Swansea Employability Academy, said:

 “I am delighted that the students have set up this new Society which will help to develop and support entrepreneurship and enterprise. Developing entrepreneurial skills is important for every student, whether they become employees or start their own business, because employers tell us that they require creative and innovative employees. I am also thrilled that so many people who support new enterprise development came to the launch to offer their support for our students. Swansea University students will be taking advantage of these opportunities to develop these skills during their student career and help them prepare for the place of work.”

For more information on the Swansea Students' Union Societies go to http://www.swansea-union.co.uk/societies

Pictures: Ist picture shows students Siobhan Wright and Nanette Turkson displaying their denim varsity jackets. 2^nd picture shows students Andy Ryan and Owen Bidder with their “What’s That” app.