Councillor Aileen Graham, Chair of Belfast City Council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee with participants on the council’s BEA. The students who attend Ulster University and Queen’s University took part in the Belfast Enterprise Academy, funded by Belfast City Council, which offers supports on setting up enterprises and developing business ideas.

Over 20 students have taken part in the latest round of the BEA and are on their way to setting up their own enterprises.

In its 7th year, the Belfast Enterprise Academy - which is funded by Belfast City Council - encourages third-level education students to use their potential to develop successful and aspiring businesses.

A celebration ceremony took place at City Hall recently for the 21 students - who were also presented with certificates for completion of the programme by Councillor Aileen Graham, Chair of the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee.

“Since the BEA started 7 years ago, it has evolved and changed to meet the needs of the student market and the success of the programme has been recognised nationally and internationally,” Councillor Graham said.

“The BEA encourages students to consider self-employment and develop business ideas and also emphasises the importance of entrepreneurship as a driver for our local economy.

“I want to congratulate all the participants on the programme this year and wish them every success for a bright business future.”

Eve McLelland, has set up her own enterprise ‘Em-bed’ with the help of the BEA and launched a new product – a cardboard bed which can be packed with canned foods and toiletries for use in disaster zones.

Students on the BEA this year came from Ulster University and Queen’s University.

As part of the programme, they took part in a business challenge residential; workshops to explore creativity business ideas and entrepreneurial skills and had one-to-one mentoring and support with developing a start-up action plan.

For more information on the council’s support for local business, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/business or www.facebook.com/belfastbusinessinfo