Stars
Rob Grisdale & Jack Payne
WhipBikes
Self-service bike hire for universities. WhipBikes are all over campus 24/7 and are easy to use. Simply Text, Twist & Ride. Users pay 50p for up to 30 minutes of riding – all through their mobile phone. WhipBikes are also a great marketing tool for targeting students directly.
Award won:
- Newcastle University Enterprise Challenge – TEDCO Business Award
- Newcastle University Enterprise Challenge – RMT New Trader Award
- Santander Business Incubation Award
Year of winning: 2009 & 2010
“Winning the TEDCO Business Award gave us the confidence to act on our instincts and turn an idea into reality. It was listening to successful business people telling us that our idea could be a real success that made us decide, there and then, to go for it. The next morning, we shook off our hangovers and planned our first steps to starting up WhipBikes.
The subsequent awards have been vital for keeping our spirits up, making new contacts and raising money. Entering a competition is also a great way to get your business plan up to scratch in record time!”
