A Hallam sports science graduate who went to great lengths to get her swimwear business off the ground has swept the board at this year’s Enterprise Challenge.
Sarah Livesey, who got the idea for her Freestyle Swimwear company when she worked at a swimming pool during her studies, won the £5,000 main prize at the Enterprise Challenge awards ceremony for her venture, together with a £2,000 award for Best Manufacturable Product.
She also won the audience vote on the night for her swimwear for the body conscious, which will target online markets and the high street.
Sarah, who graduated in 2008 with a BSc (Hons) Sport Science with Coaching, said: “Many people wish to cover their body whilst in public, with swimming being a particular issue. Freestyle Swimwear’s mission is to allow people to feel comfortable and confident with a product that is stylish and easy to swim in.”
There were also prizes on the night for Faustine Le Berre’s design business Midnight Fest and Jonathan Drury and Katie Owens, who are manufacturing a healthy sandwich spread called MillaVit.
The competition, now in its 13th year, attracted 127 entries from Sheffield Hallam students and graduates and was whittled down to a final five by judges including representatives from regional businesses such as Gripple, hlw, Irwin Mitchell and Finance Yorkshire.
For more information visit the Media Centre at http://www.shu.ac.uk/mediacentre