Branson loves Jacob’s tent pitch!
Thu, 10 May 2012 17:48:00 BST
Sir Richard Branson hands a cheque to Jacob Hill (left), and Lazy Camper business partner Andrew Bray.
ENTERPRISING University of Huddersfield student Jacob Hill has pitched his business idea to Sir Richard Branson and come away with the legendary entrepreneur’s praise – and some of his cash.
And Jacob, aged 19, ensured that he made an impact by injecting plenty of humour into his pitch, while wearing a pair of wellies and smearing luminous rave paint across his face!
The get-up was relevant to his business idea, because Jacob has co-founded a business named The Lazy Camper, which offers a package deal of good quality, low cost tents plus camping accessories to festival goers.
Jacob is an Enterprise Development student at the University, where he is also supported by its Enterprise Team – funded through the Graduate Entrepreneurship Project backed by the European Regional Development Fund.
Late last year, Jacob registered with Virgin Media Pioneers, backed by Sir Richard, which aims to boost young entrepreneurs. He then took part in a competition dubbed ‘Pitch to Rich’. It was an on-line contest, attracting hundreds of entries, in which pioneers with bright ideas posted short films about their ventures.
The Lazy Camper made the last eight of the competition and Jacob and business partner, fellow student Andrew Bray, worked social media sites in order to canvass support. They topped the poll, with 1, 274 votes and made the final shortlist of four who travelled to the Branson mansion in Oxfordshire to meet the legendary businessman in person, plus four of his Virgin executives.
After hearing Jacob’s pitch, the judges named him runner-up in the contest and awarded £750 out of the prize fund plus guidance and support and the backing of Sir Richard, who was tickled by the Lazy Camper concept. “I love the name, it just sums it up. Bang on!” commented the business legend.
Another judge was Jamal Edwards, founder of on-line youth broadcaster SB.TV. He said: “I am the perfect definition of The Lazy Camper! I wish I had this last year!”
Jacob himself commented: “I was happy with the result. The most important part of the day was the amazing opportunity to pitch to Sir Branson and all the judges.”
