Akatemia co-founder Robert Goodsell had the privilege of presenting the award for the Community Impact category at the EPIC Young Entrepreneur Awards in Birmingham in October 2024.
The awards celebrated and recognised young entrepreneurs, particularly those from under represented or disadvantaged backgrounds, who are shaping the future and have demonstrated excellence and resilience in the face of adversity.
As category sponsors, Akatemia presented the Community Impact Award to Aston University BSc Business Enterprise Development Team Entrepreneurs ‘Build an Experience’, which also trades as Birmingham Travel Community. The second year undergraduate students have been running their business for only a year, but have already built a community of more than 1,000 students and professionals interested in exploring the UK together.
It was also fantastic to see so many other Team Academy Aston entrepreneurs in the room. ED Tours, which trades as Top Tours Global, was both a category winner as well as sponsor. Founder, Edward Gostick, is a graduate of the Aston University BSc Business Enterprise Development programme. Final year BSc student, Aryan Gulzar, sponsored the drinks at the event through his business, AKG Media, as well as being nominated for an award.
Other Team Academy Aston nominees included Jonathan Berg of Pirox (BSc BED graduate); Dominik Kulcsar of Brum Greens Microproduce (BSc BED graduate); Harry Pegg of HELIXX (MSc BED graduate); Jake Taylor of Strive EP (BSc BED final year student); and Jordan Shaw of Brandeyedentity (Team Academy Aston coach and graduate of the University of Lincoln Team Academy programme).
“It was veryinspiring to hear from all of the entrepreneurs at the event, and to meet so many fantastic people. These awards recognise the achievements of young business creators who have faced challenges and found success. As we look to expand the impact and reach of Akatemia, it is fantastic to be able to celebrate entrepreneurial creativity and passion through new partnerships, such as with the team at EPIC.” Robert Goodsell
