The Rector and the Vice-Rector for Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship meet with the representatives of the collaborating institutions

The rector of the University of Cantabria (UC), Ángel Pazos, accompanied by the vice-rector for Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship, Daniel Pérez, held a meeting with representatives of the collaborating entities of the University Entrepreneurship Awards, UCem Awards, which are celebrating their twentieth edition this year.

The rector, Ángel Pazos, thanked the sponsors and collaborating entities for their commitment to the UCem Awards and highlighted the importance of this “initiative that seeks to promote the entrepreneurial spirit” among students and recent graduates of the University of Cantabria.

A “success story”

For his part, the vice-rector for Knowledge Transfer and Entrepreneurship, Daniel Pérez, described these awards as a “success story”, since throughout their history they have given rise to the “formation of more than 80 companies in Cantabria that are still in force today”.

Until 26 May, business projects in the development or already advanced phase, promoted by students or recent graduates of any degree of the institution (last six years), can compete, as long as they are initiatives to create companies in Cantabria.

Individuals or groups can submit the projects: in person at the headquarters of the Centre for Employment Guidance and Information (COIE), or electronically at emprendimiento@unican.es.

Recognition

As in previous editions, prizes are awarded in the categories of “best advanced university entrepreneurship project”, to reward companies formally constituted or in the process of doing so; and “best project in the development phase” for those in the incipient phase. In the first category, there is a first prize of 7,000 euros and a runner-up prize of 4,500 euros, as well as physical space for development and technical, accounting, labour, tax, international and technological advice, among others. In the category of projects in the development phase, the award amounts to 1,000 euros.

On the other hand, in category C, the best social responsibility project will be recognised for its promotion of the employability of people with disabilities, employment of women, environmental protection, cooperation for development, etc. The projects awarded in the other categories are eligible for this distinction, which has a prize of 800 euros.

The awards are subject to the effective materialisation of the business initiatives, a matter which will be decided by a Monitoring Commission and which will be subject to the decision of the jury. The jury will be made up of representatives from each of the sponsoring. There will be a first selection of projects and those classified will have to make a public presentation to the jury, for a maximum of 7 minutes.

Likewise, in order to facilitate participation, the COIE has organised various workshops with specific training in entrepreneurship so that participants have more options to prepare their business plans with more guarantees of success.

UCem Awards

The University of Cantabria University Entrepreneurship Awards were created with the aim of promoting the entrepreneurial spirit in Cantabria. In its 20th edition, the competition aims to consolidate itself as a key initiative in supporting talent, innovation and the exploitation of knowledge, making a decisive contribution to the creation of employment and the economic and social development of the region.

More information: https://web.unican.es/unidades/coie/Paginas/XX-Edicion-de-los-Premios-UCem.aspx

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By Servicio de Comunicación UC, Universidad de Cantabria

Photo provided by: Universidad de Cantabria