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Nominations are now open for this year’s Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Made Entrepreneurship Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the awards recognise talented Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ students and graduates who have launched successful businesses, freelancing ventures or side hustles while studying.

Students and graduates can nominate themselves or a friend, while staff are only able to nominate on people’s behalf.

Six categories are open for nominations:

-         Creative Industries Award - recognising entrepreneurial students or graduates who have demonstrated excellence in freelancing, self-employment or launching a business in music, film, photography, animation graphic design or performing arts.

-         Health and Wellbeing Award - recognising entrepreneurial students or graduates who have demonstrated excellence in freelancing, self-employment or launching a business in the health or wellbeing sector.

-         Global Entrepreneurship Champion - recognising a student who has demonstrated excellence during or since a Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Global trip led by the Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ Made team which has positively impacted others.

-         Sustainability Award- recognising a student whose entrepreneurial activities contribute to or champion sustainability/SDGS.

-         Entrepreneurship in Tech - recognising entrepreneurial students or graduates who have demonstrated excellence in freelancing, self-employment or launching a business specifically relating to technology or a new product design.

-         Entrepreneurship in Fashion-  recognising entrepreneurial students or graduates who have demonstrated excellence in freelancing, self-employment or launching a business relating to fashion.

Additionally, there will be awards for Entrepreneurial Student and Entrepreneurial Graduate of the Year.

Nominations can be made through the and close on Wednesday 31 July at midnight.

Winners will be announced in a special event taking place at The Venue from 2pm on Tuesday 5 November 2024.  The event follows the university’s annual Entrepreneurship Day event, which takes place on the morning of the awards.

Held in partnership with The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity, who provide business loans to local start-ups, the 2023 awards saw 10 awards given out including Best Fashion start-up and Best Social Enterprise.

The night culminated with the Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award, which last year was shared by Economics and Politics student Melvin Riley and former Enactus President Komal Shahzadi, as well as the announcement of the winner of the Pitch-2-Win competition.

Last year’s ceremony also saw special guest appearances from Radio 1’s Calum Leslie, who works on the Breakfast Show with Greg James, and Britain’s Got Talent winner Michael Auger.

Both will be returning to Leicester this Spring to participate in the which is a free series of practical workshops where students and graduates can learn more about self-employment and freelancing in music, podcasting, presenting, graphic design and performing arts/events management.

Any current Æß²ÊÖ±²¥ student or recent graduate can participate in events, programmes and competitions relating to self-employment, freelancing or developing entrepreneurial skills. See /take-part for details.