From Bright Ideas to Bold Futures: Herons’ Den Empowers Next-Gen Entrepreneurs

ARU’s Arise ecosystem supporting entrepreneurial education and thriving local economies.

Students from across Harlow and Essex came to Arise on 6^th May 2026 to present innovative business ideas to industry experts as part of Anglia Ruskin University’s commitment to aspiring young entrepreneurs.

Student teams from Harlow College, USP College, Chelmsford College and St Mark’s West Essex Catholic School were selected to pitch their business ideas to a panel of expert judges (the “Herons”) in a fast-paced competition designed to mirror real-world investment environments.

Each team expertly delivered their five-minute pitch followed by questions from the judges, demonstrating their understanding of key business principles including problem identification, solution design, value proposition and long-term vision.

Oliver Lodge and Max Sodeau, students from Chelmsford College secured the top prize of £1000 to support their business goals.

Herons’ Den was organised in collaboration between ARU’s Arise Innovation Hubs and Thickbroom Enterprise CIC, alongside fellow Arise Members Whiskers LLP and Logical Branding Limited. The event brought together students, educators and business leaders to celebrate innovation, creativity and enterprise.

All the competing teams were also invited to a networking lunch, sponsored by Whiskers, where they met fellow students, the Herons and innovative business leaders from Arise Innovation Hubs. Each participant was also given an Arise goodie bag, sponsored by Logical Branding, to ‘power-up’ their entrepreneurial journey.

The competition forms part of ARU’s wider mission of transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education, giving students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting while building confidence, creativity and commercial awareness.

Hosted within the Arise Innovation Hubs ecosystem, Herons’ Den reflects Thickbroom’s, Whiskers’ and the University’s shared passion for youth opportunities, community support, economic growth and enterprise. By connecting students with businesses based at Arise, the initiative helps create pathways from school/college education into entrepreneurial higher education, employment or business start-up.

The event aligns with ARU’s focus on thriving places, demonstrating how universities can act as anchors for local innovation, bringing together education, industry and community to drive opportunity and prosperity across the region.

Prof Gary Packham, Pro Vice Chancellor Student Enterprise & Entrepreneurship, ARU said: “Herons’ Den is about giving young people the opportunity to experience what enterprise really looks like. By bringing students into an innovation hub and connecting them with real businesses, we’re helping them build confidence, develop practical skills and see how their ideas can have real-world impact. This is exactly what Arise Harlow is here to do: support innovation, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to economic growth in our region.”

Angela Holtam from Thickbroom Enterprise CIC said: “We’re proud to work with Arise to organise Herons’ Den and help inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Thickbroom works closely with business from their earliest stage and events like this give young people invaluable experience and build the skills businesses are looking for.”

Sharon Wuyts, Lecturer in Business at Chelmsford College said, “Herons’ Den was such a wonderful opportunity for our learners. Their passion and professionalism were impressive and will support them in their futures.”