Case Studies
Following are some of the students that have set up their businesses with the help of Create, or have been supported by us. If you would like to meet some of them then come along to one of the Snapshot Events.
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Maximillian Dolle
Max set up Macro Advertising when he realised that advertising on scaffolding is not as widespread in the UK as it is in Europe. With offices in London Max hopes to make ugly scaffolding look good.
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Lucas Gordon
Lucas set up Night Leaf Ltd to create and distribute iphone applications and games. He recently launched his first iphone game “Volcanic” which you can currently download for free.
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Thomas Davis
Thomas Davis, currently an MSc student at Lancaster is a digital media freelancer and specialises in motion graphics. He designed the video on our own homepage. Check out his website here.
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Adam Bradbury and Toby Bell
Adam Bradbury and Toby Bell designed and launched Pokey Joe’s Bluffing Game. Based on similar principles to poker, (but without the money element), Pokey Joe’s Bluffing Game is a fast paced addictive card game. They are currently selling sets in independent toy shops up and down the country and in the campus based newsagents.
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Andrew Green
Having spent a year backpacking in Australia, Andrew realised there was a need for an electronic noticeboard that would allow places to advertise jobs and for backpackers to leave each other messages and sell things. Travelnoticeboard.com is the result and has just come online.
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Tom Wade
Tom, currently a second year Computer Science student, set up Twade Media upon finding that he had a knack for website design. Focusing on small to medium businesses and online start ups, he works closely with a client to ensure that he or she gets a website that won’t break the bank. Toms speciality is in creating back end systems but also in website design and search engine optimization to create a quality package.
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Adam Dadswell
Adam Dadswell is a largely self-taught magician who has been coached and mentored by professional magicians. Adam is a member of The Magic Circle and The International Brotherhood of Magicians and has recently performed for an audience of eminent magicians at the Magic Circle Headquarters in London. He specialises in Close Up magic and performs at all manner of functions including weddings, birthdays and corporate events.
Close Up Magician: Adam Dadswell
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Faye Hewitson
Lancaster University Marketing graduate Faye Hewitson was the captain of the Lancaster University Cheerleading team. After she left the squad she realised there were few opportunities around the Lancaster area for young people to take cheerleading lessons. She went before the panel and has now started her own cheerleading club – The Bay Stormers. She was recently featured in the Lancaster Guardian.
The Bay Stormers: Faye Hewitson
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John King
John King decided to make some original gifts for his house mates and Rise to Frame was born. He will take your picture and turn you into your favourite TV character or movie hero. Their body with your head – its as simple as that.
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Mark Lochrie
Mark, a Phd Student at Lancaster, set up CM DESIGNX after having worked on the Create Solutions project. Mark setup the company in order to provide web support/solutions to businesses in the area. Over the past few years Mark has worked with a wide range of clients designing and developing solutions gaining him an extensive knowledge and skill set of many developing technologies.
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Sharon Jackson
Sharon Jackson is a Lancaster graduate. She decided to set up her own business (Bay Web Design) because it gives her the flexibility needed to juggle the demands of a family. Sharon specialises in reasonably priced web design and associated services.
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Matthew Summers and Duncan McCaffrey
Matt and Duncan set up Insiris an IT company which specialises in mobile tracking software. This software allows companies to keep track of their workforce, in particular haulage companies and those businesses with a fleet of vehicles.
Insiris: Duncan McCaffrey and Matthew Summers
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Ben Bugg
Finance and Economics student Ben Bugg decided to get some experience of financial brokerage and decided to set up his own business after having been on an intensive training course. So he set up Dashwood and Foxx.
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Tom Jenkins
Tom, an English Literature student, set up Ice Cube Web Design when he realised that people liked his clean simple web design style. Focusing on social enterprises, charities and micro businesses Tom takes an extremely ethical approach to his work ensuring very high quality websites that won’t empty a clients pocket.
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Mitch Viddler
Mitch Viddler set up I Can See The World – a high alititude photography company that utilises cutting edge technology to take shots. Mitch offers a range of services the most unique being the Divorce Doctor (!).
I Can See The World: Mitch Vidler
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Vicki Garside
Vicki set up STUrecruit – a recruitment company currently operational in 12 major cities, with regards to part-time, seasonal and temporary jobs. She is currently planning an expansion of the site, increasing its features.
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Stephen Crossley and Himanshu Kumar
Stephen and Himanshu have used the contacts that they have in India to set up a business with two arms. Uni T specialises in t-shirts and hoodies with highly original slogans. Effic is focused on jewellery from India. Their products can be seen in the LUSU shop.
Uni T: Stephen Crossley and Himanshu Kumar
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Andy Glover & Eddie Sammon
Eddie and Andy realised that bio-diesel was going to be a lucrative market to be in as well as allowing them to do their bit for the environment. Through Create they set up Ethical Fuels Ltd and are currently working in Merseyside on getting their first big contract. Ethical Fuels was recently one of three companies to win a competition held by the Lancaster Environment Centre (LEC).
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Andrew Sams
Andrew set up another business ,(in addition to Impulse see below), called NMTech Ltd. He and his business partner have designed software that utilises satellite imagery to create 3D images that can be viewed from any angle. He is currently working with a number of companies in the constuction industry.
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Miguel Bennetti and Ali Reeves
Miguel and Ali set up Souped Up Ltd in 2007. They have a passion for high quality nutritious soup, a whole bunch of original recipes, and big plans for expansion later on in the year. Souped Up recently won an award in the Student Friendly Business Awards.
Souped Up: Alistair Reeves and Miguel Binetti
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Andrew Hardman
Andy is a professional photographer who set out to create a website for both professional and amateur photographers. Online Photographers allows photographers to display their portfolio, talk to each other and read articles written by professionals.
Online Photographers: Andrew Hardman
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James Kent & Ian Bailey
James and Ian created Mellow Munkee as a forum for students of Lancaster University. Since going live with the website they have had thousands of students register and publicity from the Lancaster Guardian. They have recently become a Limited Liability Partnership and are planning to move into mechandising based around the Mellow Munkee logo. One of their promotional activities was a Mellow Munkee theme night in Lincoln.
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Jools Barsky
Chez Joie Chocolat Ltd began trading at the end of 2006, selling hand-made, top quality chocolates. Currently, Jools, (chocolatier and company director), is running stalls in both Lancaster and Chester. She hopes to open a flagship store in London after her graduation.
Chez Joie Chocolats Jools Barksy on a Chocolaterie course
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Andrew Sams
Andrew created Impulse – a graduate recruitment website for SMEs in the north west. Andrew spotted a gap in the market and hoped to show students the potential benefits of working for an SME while showing the SME\’s that they could benefit from employing a graduate.
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Matt Smith & Chris Ellis
Matt & Chris set up Quickpix to allow students to have their digital photographs developed on campus and have them delivered within a couple of hours. They are currently developing this further and hope to expand the “Quick” range with a host of different services and products.
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Charles Addison
Charles was a geography student who has now graduated. He had a love for the Hungarian culture and history and decided that there was a market for Hungarian wine. He set up Trans-Danubia Wines to import wine from Hungary to the UK. He recently had his first shipment of wine delivered and is planning an extensive marketing campaign. See his business featured in the local papers.
Trans Danubia Wines & Spirits Ltd: Charles Addison
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Tim Walton
Tim is a Physics Phd and an award winning film maker. He decided to set up Film Fest to give local schools the chance to create films and then showcase them in a Film Festival organised for early June 2007. He has a number of people lined up for the judging panel, (DJs and Hollyoaks actresses amongst them), and is in discussion with such people as Sir Ian McClellan and Andy Serkis about what they might be able to do to help. Film Fest has also attracted the attention of the local press.
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Lee Crossley
Lee is a 3rd year Computer Science student and an accomplished musician. He decided to combine both skills and created his business Backing Music.com. Through the Create project he got advice, and funding.
Backing Musics Lee Crossley and Create Manager Joseph Buglass
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Caroline Tory
Caroline is a 2nd Year Fine Arts student who set up RedRabbit to sell her handmade jewellery. She can be seen selling her products in Alexandra square. Through the Create project she was awarded start up funds allowing her to go on jewellery making courses which will take her designs to the next level. Local shops in Lancaster city centre will soon be selling her products.
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Ellie Langton
Ellie is a History MA student who makes handmade cards under the Wave Handmade logo. Through Create she is now selling them in the LUSU shop where they have been a massive success. Already selling them in a number of shops in Bolton she hopes to replicate this success in the Lancaster area. Through the Create project she received funds to improve the quality of her product.
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Tom Halstead, Tim Ratcliffe & Tom McDonald
Tom, Tom and Tim decided to put their experience as painters and decorators to good use. Through the Create project they have set up their own painting and decorating company. Create awarded them the funds to buy equipment and pay for their insurance. They have a number of jobs in the go and hope to have a busy summer. There is the possibility that they may employ students on campus.
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