A Bath graduate with an innovative audio enhancement product is through to the South West finals of the Lloyds TSB enterprise awards, being held in Bristol today (Tuesday 21 February).
Stephen Baldwin, aged 23, is hoping that his pitch will win him a place in the national finals and the chance to scoop £50,000 to invest in his business.
He graduated last year with a first class masters of physics and his company, EarSoft, is already in talks with a leading mobile handset manufacturer.
Stephen is cautious about revealing too many details at this early stage but he promises a product that will make listening to audio output an all together smoother experience, ending the problem of having to alter volume for different types of sound.
The product stands to improve sound in all sorts of different applications and environments, as well as for people with hearing impairment.
Stephen’s enterprise potential was spotted in last year’s Business Plan competition, run by the Students’ Union, and he has since had expert help and support from the Innovation Centre, and the Students’ Union’s Enterprise Education Manager, Siobain Hone. They have provided him with industry mentors to help him through the set-up stage and with contacts to potential customers and investors.
Speaking ahead of the competition, Stephen said: “The business is going exceptionally well and consumers should be benefitting from it by the end of the year. To get through to the national finals and stand a chance of winning the investment money would be a fantastic head-start to plans to take on a student employee.
“The help and support I have had from the University has been invaluable, particularly in connecting me with my mentors and the investors I have accessed through the SETsquared partnership.”
Stephen came to Bath after a gap year at QinetiQ Malvern, where he subsequently spent two summer placements, as well as a six month placement during his degree at QinetiQ Farnborough.
He was an active member of BANTER, the Bath student business society, as well as chair of the Bath University Music Production Society.
He now lives at his family home in Worcestershire and commutes to the University for business meetings and support.
Siobain Hone, Students’ Union Enterprise Education Manager added: “Stephen is a very talented and motivated individual and he’s a great advert for what can be achieved with hard work and the right backing. We wish him every success.”