Nick Musto wins Young Start-up Talent Brighton’s £50k Prize fund for 2016

SEALIFE Brighton, with the help of Avensys AV, hosted Young Start-up Talent’s eagerly anticipated Brighton and Hove showcase this week.  It was revealed from the onboard the aquarium's glass bottom boat that University of Sussex student, Nick Musto, has been awarded this year’s £50k prize fund.  The 22 year old, whose app, Radar, is designed to allow students to save money on nights out, said “The process has been incredible. I’ve learnt so much and had a blast. This is an app made by students for students, I’m very proud.” The initiative, which is aimed at 16-25 year olds who want to start up their own business, gives away a £50k prize fund worth of business products and services which are donated by some 34 local businesses to the winning entrepreneur each year in order to kick start their business.

Gary Chown of NatWest, judge and headline sponsor of the initiative, said “I’m thrilled to see such a high standard of businesses enter this year. This truly stands as a testament to the fantastic young talent we have across Brighton and Hove and look forward to working with Nick.”

In December 2015, applicants where whittled down to eight finalists. They participated in a speed networking event where the young entrepreneurs faced a group of business professionals. Dan Simpson of Hartley Fowler and judge said “It’s been really interesting to see the variety of personalities and business ideas develop from the beginning through to the final process which has all been very impressive.”

Penina Shepherd of Acumen Business Law said “It was a very difficult judging process; it wasn’t easy to find the winner because they were all brilliant. When the winner was announced it was great to see the joy along with the prospect of so many opportunities ahead of them.”

Nick Musto is a chicklet at Brighton Entrepreneurial Spark, a business start-up accelerator program where the Brighton Chamber has a permanent residence.

Among the finalists was fellow chicklet Aadam Patel, the youngest contestant at 14. He impressed the judges with his business, Chit Chat Celebrations, a publisher and distributer of quality greeting cards and crackers for all faiths and cultures.

Brighton Chamber sponsored the event along with lots of other great businesses. To find out more about Young Start up Talent and how you can get involved, visit their website.

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