Crypto-trader training platform among eight graduate businesses to receive funding boost

A platform that trains people to trade cryptocurrency, a drum and bass record label and a sustainable knitwear company are just some of the graduate businesses to have received funding through UWE Bristol's Entrepreneurial Futures Award to kickstart their business.

Eight UWE Bristol alum successfully pitched and secured funding between £5,000 to £15,000 through the Entrepreneurial Futures Award which will allow them to develop their enterprises. The funding has been donated by fellow UWE Bristol alum Peter Fane, executive chairman and founder of the Nurture Landscapes Group, and will support many more alumni over the next three years with funding.

Gerald Lee Vui Shiong, a Financial Technology Master's graduate, has developed MachD Trading, which aims to simplify learning how to trade crypto, received £15,000 of funding - the largest amount awarded by the panel of judges. MachD impressed the panel with its tailored learning experience, which adapts crypto industry and finance trading content based on a user's knowledge gap.

The panel were impressed with Gerald's ambition and felt the platform would provide a safe way to learn about digital currency.

Invicta Audio, a record label and events company specialising in underground drum and bass talent founded by Business graduate Anton Bailey, and Noon, a knitwear brand using sustainable natural dyes created by Hayley Lunt, Fashion Design graduate, both received £10,000 of funding.